Loss of CD20 expression in relapsed lymphomas after rituximab therapy

: The response rate at relapse to rituximab in prior responders B‐cell non‐Hodgkin's lymphoma (NHL) patients is below 50%. Loss of CD20 expression after rituximab therapy may explain this secondary resistance. However, the frequency of CD20 negative relapses cannot be assessed since most patien...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:European journal of haematology 2003-05, Vol.70 (5), p.330-332
Main Authors: Haidar, Joud H., Shamseddine, Ali, Salem, Ziad, Mrad, Yasser Abou, Nasr, Michel R., Zaatari, Ghazi, Bazarbachi, Ali
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
Aged
Antibodies, Monoclonal - therapeutic use
Antibodies, Monoclonal, Murine-Derived
Antigens, CD20 - metabolism
Antineoplastic agents
Biological and medical sciences
CD20
Cell Membrane - immunology
Cytoplasm - immunology
deletion
Female
Hematologic and hematopoietic diseases
Humans
Immunotherapy
Leukemias. Malignant lymphomas. Malignant reticulosis. Myelofibrosis
lymphoma
Lymphoma, B-Cell - immunology
Lymphoma, B-Cell - therapy
Lymphoma, Non-Hodgkin - immunology
Lymphoma, Non-Hodgkin - therapy
Medical sciences
Middle Aged
Pharmacology. Drug treatments
Recurrence
relapse
Rituximab
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Summary:: The response rate at relapse to rituximab in prior responders B‐cell non‐Hodgkin's lymphoma (NHL) patients is below 50%. Loss of CD20 expression after rituximab therapy may explain this secondary resistance. However, the frequency of CD20 negative relapses cannot be assessed since most patients that relapsed after rituximab therapy have not been re‐biopsied. Here, we present two patients with CD20 positive low grade B‐cell NHL that lost the cell surface and cytoplasmic expression at relapse after rituximab therapy. Our findings suggest that confirmation of CD20 expression on the malignant B cells is required whenever rituximab therapy is considered.
ISSN:0902-4441
1600-0609
DOI:10.1034/j.1600-0609.2003.00007.x