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Current view of the rituximab maintenance in follicular lymphoma


Authors: A. Janíková;  J. Mayer;  Z. Král
Authors‘ workplace: Interní hematoonkologická klinika FN Brno a LF Masarykovy Univerzity, Brno
Published in: Transfuze Hematol. dnes,14, 2008, No. 2, p. 79-85.
Category: Comprehensive Reports, Original Papers, Case Reports

Overview

Rituximab, chimaeric anti-CD20 monoclonal antibody, improved significantly treatment results of CD20-positive non-Hodgkin’s lymphomas (NHLs) and has been rapidly incorporated in various combination chemotherapies as induction therapy for patients in the first-line and relapsed/refractory settings. Over the past few years it has been confirmed that rituximab maintenance is safe and effective in follicular lymphoma (FL) patients after induction with rituximab plus chemotherapy, chemotherapy alone, or rituximab monotherapy. The optimal dose, schedule and duration of rituximab maintenance therapy have not been defined yet. Recent data suggest rituximab maintenance can be safely administered for period of up to 2 years. All published maintenance schedules ranging from a single rituximab infusion 375 mg/m² every 3 months to 4x375 mg/m² weekly every 6 months have shown good and comparable effectiveness. Regarding treatment expenses, the important issue is rituximab maintenance versus retreatment upon relapse in the context of overall survival of follicular lymphoma patients.

Key words:
rituximab, maintenance, prognosis, follicular lymphoma


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