Maintenance Rituximab is associated with improved clinical outcome in rituximab naive patients with Waldenstrom Macroglobulinaemia who respond to a rituximab-containing regimen

作者：Treon Steven P^*; Hanzis Christina; Manning Robert J; Ioakimidis Leukothea; Patterson Christopher J; Hunter Zachary R; Sheehy Patricia; Turnbull Barry

来源：British Journal of Haematology, 2011, 154(3): 357-362.

DOI：10.1111/j.1365-2141.2011.08750.x

• rituximab
• Waldenstrom Macroglobulinaemia
• lymphoma
• maintenance
• CD20

This study examined the outcome of 248 Waldenstrom macroglobulinaemia (WM) rituximab-naive 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.

• 出版日期2011-8