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Maintenance Rituximab is associated with improved clinical outcome in rituximab naïve patients with Waldenstrom Macroglobulinaemia who respond to a rituximab‐containing regimen
Author(s) -
Treon Steven P.,
Hanzis Christina,
Manning Robert J.,
Ioakimidis Leukothea,
Patterson Christopher J.,
Hunter Zachary R.,
Sheehy Patricia,
Turnbull Barry
Publication year - 2011
Publication title -
british journal of haematology
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.907
H-Index - 186
eISSN - 1365-2141
pISSN - 0007-1048
DOI - 10.1111/j.1365-2141.2011.08750.x
Subject(s) - rituximab , medicine , regimen , gastroenterology , immunology , surgery , oncology , lymphoma
Summary This study examined the outcome of 248 Waldenstrom macroglobulinaemia (WM) rituximab‐naïve patients who responded to a rituximab‐containing regimen. Eighty‐six patients (35%) subsequently received maintenance rituximab (M‐Rituximab). No differences in baseline characteristics, and post‐induction categorical responses between cohorts were observed. The median rituximab infusions during induction was 6 for both cohorts; and 8 over a 2‐year period for patients receiving M‐Rituximab. Categorical responses improved in 16/162 (10%) of observed, and 36/86 (41·8%) of M‐Rituximab patients respectively, following induction therapy ( P < 0·0001). Both progression‐free (56·3 vs. 28·6 months; P = 0·0001) and overall survival (Not reached versus 116 months; P = 0·0095) were longer in patients who received M‐Rituximab. Improved progression‐free survival was evident despite previous treatment status, induction with rituximab alone or in combination therapy ( P ≤ 0·0001). Best serum IgM response was lower ( P < 0·0001), and haematocrit higher ( P = 0·001) for patients receiving M‐Rituximab. Among patients receiving M‐Rituximab, an increased number of infectious events were observed, but were mainly ≤grade 2 ( P = 0·008). The findings of this observational study suggest improved clinical outcomes following M‐Rituximab in WM patients who respond to induction with a rituximab‐containing regimen. Prospective studies aimed at clarifying the role of M‐Rituximab therapy in WM patients are needed to confirm these findings.