Treatment of relapsed @entity2225 + XXXX with the monoclonal antibody rituximab is effective and well tolerated: results of a phase 2 trial of the German @entity978 Study Group.

@entity1 @entity390 @entity2225 @entity2490 @entity978 @entity221
This phase 2 trial was performed to evaluate the safety and efficacy of the chimeric monoclonal anti- @entity2225 antibody rituximab in @entity1 with relapsed lymphocyte-predominant @entity978 or other @entity2225 (+) subtypes of @entity978 ( @entity978 ). Eligibility criteria required expression of the @entity2225 antigen on more than 30% of malignant cells. Fourteen @entity1 were treated with 4 weekly intravenous infusions of rituximab (375 mg/m(2)). All @entity1 had at least one prior chemotherapy (median, 2). The median time from first diagnosis was 9 years. Adverse events, such as @entity2490 , @entity221 , chills, and @entity390 , were usually transient and of mild to moderate grade, allowing outpatient treatment in most cases. All @entity1 completed treatment and were eligible for a response. The overall response in 14 assessable @entity1 was 86%, with 8 complete remissions and 4 partial remissions, and 2 @entity1 with progressive disease. At a median follow-up of 12 months, 9 of 12 responders were in remission. The median duration of response has not been reached yet (20+ months). We conclude that rituximab is both safe and effective in a subgroup of @entity2225 (+) @entity1 with @entity978 .
