Quality of life patients treated with rituximab intravenous versus subcutaneous in B-cell lymphomas: results from outpatient Hematooncology Clinic in Lodz

Nowadays, rituximab is available both as intravenous (IV) and subcutaneous (SC) formulations. The aim of this study is to compare quality of life (QOL) of patients treated in Hematooncology Clinic in Lodz with B-cell nonHodgkin lymphoma (B-NHL) treated with rituximab IV and SC.   Material and Methods: In 50 adult patients with B-NHL diagnosis we assessed QOL by three different questionnaries (EORTC QLQ-C30, FACT/ GOG-NTx and EQ-5D). We compared it between patients treated with rituximab IV and SC.   Results: In comparison of general condition in EQ-5D-3L and EORTC QLQ-C30 questionnaire patients treated with rituximab SC felt statistically better than with IV administration (p<0.01). In SC group general health was evaluated for 72 while in IV for only 58,1. According to FACT/GOG-NTx questionnaire SC group had significantly better physical well-being. In SC group we observed statistically more complete responses (CR) 21 (88%) versus 17 (65%) in IV group. Moreover, trend was observed in emotional well-being in favor of SC treatment.   Discussion: In our study we observed for the first time in the literature statistical difference in frequency of vomiting, nausea, and lack of appetite mentioned from our patients in questionnarie. It is very important that this findings were not published in any other study comparing SC and IV route od administration. Also looking at economic side of SC administration, this type of dosing. As a result it should be preferred form for B-cell lymphoma patients.