Premium
Anti‐CD20 monoclonal antibody therapy in relapsed MALT lymphoma of the conjunctiva
Author(s) -
Nückel Holger,
Meller Daniel,
Steuhl KlausPeter,
Dührsen Ulrich
Publication year - 2004
Publication title -
european journal of haematology
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.904
H-Index - 84
eISSN - 1600-0609
pISSN - 0902-4441
DOI - 10.1111/j.1600-0609.2004.00299.x
Subject(s) - medicine , lymphoma , rituximab , cryotherapy , conjunctiva , radiation therapy , malt lymphoma , contraindication , cd20 , monoclonal antibody therapy , chemotherapy , monoclonal antibody , monoclonal , gastroenterology , surgery , pathology , antibody , immunology , alternative medicine
Low‐grade non‐Hodgkin's lymphomas of the conjunctiva may be cured by radiotherapy, but complications are frequent and relapses may occur. Other treatment modalities including resection, cryotherapy, injection of interferon‐ α or systemic chemotherapy have been used with varying success. We treated two patients with relapsed extranodal marginal zone lymphoma (ENMZL) of mucosa‐associated lymphoid tissue (MALT) of the conjunctiva with the anti‐CD20 monoclonal antibody rituximab (375 mg/m 2 intravenously once weekly for 4 wk) which has previously been shown to be effective in a variety of other B‐cell non‐Hodgkin's lymphomas. Treatment was well tolerated and resulted in one partial and one complete remission. With a follow‐up of 32 or 30 months, respectively, further recurrences have not been observed. Rituximab is a highly effective and well‐tolerated treatment of conjunctival MALT lymphoma, which may not only be of value in relapse, but also in cases of contraindication to radiotherapy.