Rituximab as in vivo purging agent in autologous stem cell transplantation for relapsed B-NHL

In vivo purging may avoid relapse after high dose therapy (HDT) for relapsed lymphoma. Therefore, we have evaluated feasibility and efficacy of Rituximab as in vivo purging agent included into a sequential salvage protocol for CD20+ B-NHL in chemosensitive relapse or induction failure. Thirty seven...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:Annals of hematology 2002, Vol.81 Suppl 2, p.S54-S55
Main Authors: Hess, G, Flohr, T, Derigs, H G
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
Antibodies, Monoclonal - therapeutic use
Antibodies, Monoclonal, Murine-Derived
Blood Component Removal - methods
Lymphoma, B-Cell - therapy
Peripheral Blood Stem Cell Transplantation
Recurrence
Remission Induction
Rituximab
Salvage Therapy
Transplantation Conditioning
Transplantation, Autologous
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Summary:In vivo purging may avoid relapse after high dose therapy (HDT) for relapsed lymphoma. Therefore, we have evaluated feasibility and efficacy of Rituximab as in vivo purging agent included into a sequential salvage protocol for CD20+ B-NHL in chemosensitive relapse or induction failure. Thirty seven patients were treated within this protocol and in 36/37 a stem cell product could be acquired with rare NHL contamination. Overall, due to the intensity of treatment there has been a substantial morbidity, including high rates of viral reactivation. However, only one patient died during treatment due to sepsis. Response rates were favourable with an overall response rate of 97% (with 30/35CR). With a maximum follow up of 3.5 years, 15 patients relapsed. Overall, the treatment protocol has proven feasible with high purging efficiency and encouraging remission rates in this unfavourable patient group.
ISSN:0939-5555