Prolonged remission in a patient with relapsed follicular lymphoma after a single course of rituximab.

Abstract

BACKGROUND:

Rituximab monotherapy can achieve remissions of up to 80% in follicular lymphoma. As the antibody has only been on the market since 1997, long-term observations are still rare.

CASE REPORT:

We report about a patient with follicular lymphoma who received a single treatment of 4 x 375 mg/m(2) of the monoclonal antibody rituximab without chemotherapy and has been in complete remission (CR) for 8 years.

DISCUSSION:

This remarkable response duration highlights the efficacy of rituximab monotherapy. A number of recently published studies have indicated that CR of more than 4 years after rituximab monotherapy may be a regularly occurring event.

CONCLUSIONS:

These patients are likely to represent a yet poorly characterized patient group that profits considerably from rituximab monotherapy.

• Authors: Markus Jensen, Thomas Elter, Andreas Engert, Marcel Reiser
• Journal: Onkologie (Onkologie) Vol. 29 Issue 3 Pg. 90-2 (Mar 2006) ISSN: 0378-584X [Print] Switzerland
• PMID: 16514269 (Publication Type: Case Reports, Journal Article)

Chemical References

• Antibodies, Monoclonal
• Antibodies, Monoclonal, Murine-Derived
• Antineoplastic Agents
• Rituximab

Topics

• Antibodies, Monoclonal (administration & dosage, adverse effects)
• Antibodies, Monoclonal, Murine-Derived
• Antineoplastic Agents (administration & dosage, adverse effects)
• Drug Administration Schedule
• Follow-Up Studies
• Humans
• Lymphoma, Follicular (drug therapy)
• Male
• Middle Aged
• Remission Induction
• Rituximab
• Treatment Outcome