Lenalidomide Oral Monotherapy Produces Durable Responses in Relapsed or Refractory Indolent Non-Hodgkin's Lymphoma

2009 ◽  
Vol 27 (32) ◽  
pp. 5404-5409 ◽  
Author(s):  
Thomas E. Witzig ◽  
Peter H. Wiernik ◽  
Timothy Moore ◽  
Craig Reeder ◽  
Craig Cole ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Adverse Events ◽  
Hodgkin’S Lymphoma ◽  
Single Agent ◽  
Objective Response ◽  
Progression Free Survival ◽  
Complete Response ◽  
Hodgkin's Lymphoma ◽  
Non Hodgkin’S Lymphoma ◽  
Non Hodgkin's Lymphoma ◽  
Wide Range

Purpose Lenalidomide is a novel immunomodulatory agent with antiproliferative activities. Given its efficacy in a wide range of hematologic malignancies, we conducted a phase II trial (NHL-001) of single-agent lenalidomide in indolent non-Hodgkin's lymphoma (NHL). Patients and Methods Patients with relapsed/refractory indolent NHL were eligible, with no limit on the number of previous therapies. Oral lenalidomide 25 mg was self-administered once daily on days 1 to 21 of every 28-day cycle for up to 52 weeks as tolerated, or until disease progression. The primary end point was objective response rate (ORR), with secondary end points of duration of response (DR), progression-free survival (PFS), and safety. Results Forty-three enrolled patients were assessable for response and safety. Patients received a median of three prior systemic therapies (range, 1 to 17) and half were refractory to last therapy. ORR was 23% (10 of 43), including a 7% complete response (CR) or unconfirmed CR rate. Twenty-seven percent (six of 22) of patients with follicular lymphoma grade 1 or 2, and 22% (four of 18) with small lymphocytic lymphoma responded to therapy. Median DR was not reached, but was longer than 16.5 months with seven of 10 responses ongoing at 15 to 28 months. Median PFS for the whole group was 4.4 months (95% CI, 2.5 to 10.4 months). Adverse events were predictable and manageable; the most common grade 3 or 4 adverse events were neutropenia (30% and 16%, respectively) and thrombocytopenia (14% and 5%, respectively). Conclusion Oral lenalidomide monotherapy produces durable responses with manageable adverse events in patients with relapsed/refractory indolent NHL, warranting further investigation of treatment for indolent NHL.

Efficacy of lenalidomide oral monotherapy in relapsed or refractory indolent non-Hodgkin's lymphoma: Final results of NHL-001

2009 ◽  
Vol 27 (15_suppl) ◽  
pp. 8560-8560
Author(s):  
T. E. Witzig ◽  
P. H. Wiernik ◽  
T. Moore ◽  
C. Reeder ◽  
C. Cole ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Adverse Events ◽  
Median Time ◽  
Hodgkin’S Lymphoma ◽  
Single Agent ◽  
Progression Free Survival ◽  
Response Duration ◽  
Hodgkin's Lymphoma ◽  
Non Hodgkin’S Lymphoma ◽  
Non Hodgkin's Lymphoma ◽  
Wide Range

8560 Background: Lenalidomide has shown activity in a wide range of hematological malignancies. We conducted a phase II trial of single-agent lenalidomide in indolent non-Hodgkin's lymphoma (NHL). Methods: Patients with relapsed or refractory indolent NHL were eligible, with no limit on the number of previous therapies. Oral lenalidomide 25 mg was self-administered once-daily on days 1–21 of every 28-day cycle for up to 52 weeks as tolerated, or until disease progression. The primary endpoint was overall response rate (ORR), with secondary endpoints of response duration, progression-free survival (PFS), and safety. Results: Forty-three patients were enrolled and were evaluable for response and safety. Patients had received a median of 3 prior systemic therapies (1–17) and half of all patients were refractory to their last therapy. The ORR was 23% (10/43), including a complete response (CR) or unconfirmed CR (CRu) rate of 7%. The median time to first response was 3.6 months (1.7–4.2) and the median time to CR or CRu was 4.2 months (1.9–11.1). Twenty-seven percent (6/22) of patients with follicular lymphoma grade 1 or 2, and 22% (4/18) of patients with small lymphocytic lymphoma responded to therapy. The median duration of response has not reached, but is longer than 16.5 months with 7 of 10 responses ongoing at 15–28 months. Median PFS was 4.4 months (2.5–10.4). Adverse events were consistent with the known safety profile of lenalidomide and manageable; the most common grade 3 or 4 adverse events were neutropenia (30% and 16%, respectively) and thrombocytopenia (14% and 5%, respectively). Conclusions: Oral lenalidomide monotherapy produces durable responses with manageable side effects in relapsed or refractory indolent NHL and warrants further investigation in the treatment of indolent NHL. [Table: see text]

Bendamustine in Patients With Rituximab-Refractory Indolent and Transformed Non-Hodgkin's Lymphoma: Results From a Phase II Multicenter, Single-Agent Study

2008 ◽  
Vol 26 (2) ◽  
pp. 204-210 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jonathan W. Friedberg ◽  
Philip Cohen ◽  
Ling Chen ◽  
K. Sue Robinson ◽  
Andres Forero-Torres ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Phase Ii ◽  
Hodgkin’S Lymphoma ◽  
Single Agent ◽  
Progression Free Survival ◽  
Complete Response ◽  
Hodgkin's Lymphoma ◽  
Patients Âgés ◽  
Non Hodgkin’S Lymphoma ◽  
Non Hodgkin's Lymphoma ◽  
Duration Of Response

PurposeBendamustine hydrochloride is an alkylating agent with novel mechanisms of action. This phase II multicenter study evaluated the efficacy and toxicity of bendamustine in patients with B-cell non-Hodgkin's lymphoma (NHL) refractory to rituximab.Patients and MethodsPatients received bendamustine 120 mg/m2intravenously on days 1 and 2 of each 21-day cycle. Outcomes included response, duration of response, progression-free survival, and safety.ResultsSeventy-six patients, ages 38 to 84 years, with predominantly stage III/IV indolent (80%) or transformed (20%) disease were treated; 74 were assessable for response. Twenty-four (32%) were refractory to chemotherapy. Patients received a median of two prior unique regimens. An overall response rate of 77% (15% complete response, 19% unconfirmed complete response, and 43% partial) was observed. The median duration of response was 6.7 months (95% CI, 5.1 to 9.9 months), 9.0 months (95% CI, 5.8 to 16.7) for patients with indolent disease, and 2.3 months (95% CI, 1.7 to 5.1) for those with transformed disease. Thirty-six percent of these responses exceeded 1 year. The most frequent nonhematologic adverse events included nausea and vomiting, fatigue, constipation, anorexia, fever, cough, and diarrhea. Grade 3 or 4 reversible hematologic toxicities included neutropenia (54%), thrombocytopenia (25%), and anemia (12%).ConclusionSingle-agent bendamustine produced durable objective responses with acceptable toxicity in heavily pretreated patients with rituximab-refractory, indolent NHL. These findings are promising and will serve as a benchmark for future clinical trials in this novel patient population.

Multicenter Phase II Clinical Study of Iodine-131–Rituximab Radioimmunotherapy in Relapsed or Refractory Indolent Non-Hodgkin’s Lymphoma

2006 ◽  
Vol 24 (27) ◽  
pp. 4418-4425 ◽  
Author(s):  
Michael F. Leahy ◽  
John F. Seymour ◽  
Rodney J. Hicks ◽  
J. Harvey Turner
Keyword(s):  
Hodgkin’S Lymphoma ◽  
Progression Free Survival ◽  
Complete Response ◽  
Hodgkin's Lymphoma ◽  
Whole Body ◽  
Actuarial Survival ◽  
Entire Cohort ◽  
Non Hodgkin’S Lymphoma ◽  
Non Hodgkin's Lymphoma ◽  
Iodine 131

Purpose To evaluate efficacy and safety of iodine-131 (131I) –rituximab chimeric anti-CD20 antibody radioimmunotherapy in patients with relapsed or refractory indolent non-Hodgkin's lymphoma (NHL). Patients and Methods After a standard loading dose of rituximab 375 mg/m2, individualized dosimetry was performed by whole-body gamma imaging of a tracer activity of 131I-rituximab followed by administration of a therapeutic activity of 131I-rituximab to deliver an estimated whole-body radiation absorbed dose of 0.75 Gy. Results Ninety-one patients were entered onto the trial: 78 patients (86%) had follicular lymphoma, six patients (7%) had mucosa-associated lymphoid tissue/marginal zone lymphoma, and seven patients (8%) had small lymphocytic lymphoma. The objective overall response rate (ORR) was 76%, with 53% attaining a complete response (CR) or CR unconfirmed (CRu). Median duration of response for patients achieving CR/CRu was 20 v 7 months for those with a partial response (P = .0121). Median progression-free survival for the entire cohort was 13 months, with 14% remaining relapse free beyond 4 years. Median follow-up was 23 months, with a 4-year actuarial survival rate of 59% ± 10%. Toxicity was principally hematologic; grade 4 thrombocytopenia occurred in 4% and neutropenia occurred in 16% of patients, with nadirs at 6 to 7 weeks after treatment. Conclusion 131I-rituximab radioimmunotherapy of relapsed or refractory indolent NHL achieves high ORR and CR rates with minimal toxicity.

Phase III Intergroup Study of Fludarabine Phosphate Compared With Cyclophosphamide, Vincristine, and Prednisone Chemotherapy in Newly Diagnosed Patients With Stage III and IV Low-Grade Malignant Non-Hodgkin's Lymphoma

2006 ◽  
Vol 24 (10) ◽  
pp. 1590-1596 ◽  
Author(s):  
Anton Hagenbeek ◽  
Houchingue Eghbali ◽  
Silvio Monfardini ◽  
Umberto Vitolo ◽  
Peter J. Hoskin ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Hodgkin’S Lymphoma ◽  
Single Agent ◽  
Complete Response ◽  
Hodgkin's Lymphoma ◽  
Phase Iii ◽  
Low Grade ◽  
Newly Diagnosed ◽  
Fludarabine Phosphate ◽  
Non Hodgkin’S Lymphoma ◽  
Non Hodgkin's Lymphoma

Purpose To compare the efficacy and safety of fludarabine phosphate with cyclophosphamide, vincristine, and prednisone (CVP) in 381 previously untreated, advanced-stage, low-grade (lg) non-Hodgkin's lymphoma (NHL) patients in a phase III, multicenter study. Patients and Methods Between 1993 and 1997, patients were randomly assigned to treatment with either fludarabine (25 mg/m2 intravenously [IV] daily for 5 days every 4 weeks) or CVP (cyclophosphamide 750 mg/m2 IV on day 1; vincristine, 1.4 mg/m2 IV on day 1; and prednisone, 40 mg/m2 orally on days 1 through 5 every 4 weeks). Results Overall response (OR) rates were significantly improved in the fludarabine arm versus the CVP arm, both for the intent-to-treat (ITT) population and assessable patients (P < .001). Complete response (CR) rates in the ITT population were also higher after fludarabine treatment. The CR rate was 38.6% for fludarabine compared with 15.0% for CVP. There were no statistically significant differences in time to progression (TTP), time to treatment failure (TTF), and overall survival (OS) between treatment groups. WHO grades 3 and 4 hematologic adverse events were more common in the fludarabine arm. However, concerning the higher incidence of granulocytopenia, this did not translate to more infections in fludarabine-treated patients. Conclusion Newly diagnosed lgNHL patients who received fludarabine achieved higher OR and CR rates compared with CVP-treated patients. No differences in TTP, TTF, and OS were noted. Fludarabine is a highly active single agent in lgNHL. Combination therapies incorporating fludarabine are now being further evaluated as first-line therapy in follicular NHL.

Treatment With Ibritumomab Tiuxetan Radioimmunotherapy in Patients With Rituximab-Refractory Follicular Non-Hodgkin’s Lymphoma

2002 ◽  
Vol 20 (15) ◽  
pp. 3262-3269 ◽  
Author(s):  
Thomas E. Witzig ◽  
Ian W. Flinn ◽  
Leo I. Gordon ◽  
Christos Emmanouilides ◽  
Myron S. Czuczman ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Hodgkin’S Lymphoma ◽  
Single Agent ◽  
Objective Response ◽  
Hodgkin's Lymphoma ◽  
Outpatient Basis ◽  
Ibritumomab Tiuxetan ◽  
Non Hodgkin’S Lymphoma ◽  
Kaplan Meier ◽  
Non Hodgkin's Lymphoma ◽  
Indium 111

PURPOSE: Rituximab is commonly used as a single agent or in combination therapy for non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma (NHL). Ibritumomab tiuxetan radioimmunotherapy targets the same antigen as rituximab and has demonstrated efficacy in rituximab-naïve NHL. This study evaluated ibritumomab tiuxetan in the treatment of rituximab-refractory follicular NHL. PATIENTS AND METHODS: Eligible patients were refractory to rituximab; this was defined as no objective response to rituximab (375 mg/m2 weekly for 4 weeks) or time to progression (TTP) of ≤ 6 months. The ibritumomab tiuxetan treatment regimen consisted of pretreatment with rituximab (250 mg/m2 intravenously on days 1 and 8) to deplete peripheral blood B cells, then yttrium-90 ibritumomab tiuxetan (0.4 mCi/kg; maximum, 32 mCi) intravenously on day 8, administered on an outpatient basis. An imaging/dosimetry dose of indium-111 ibritumomab tiuxetan (5 mCi) was injected after rituximab (day 1) in 28 patients. RESULTS: Fifty-seven patients were treated. The median age was 54 years, 74% had tumors ≥ 5 cm, and all were extensively pretreated (median, four prior therapies; range, one to nine). The estimated radiation-absorbed doses to healthy organs were below the study-defined limit in all patients studied with dosimetry. The overall response rate for the 54 patients with follicular NHL was 74% (15% complete responses and 59% partial responses). The Kaplan-Meier–estimated TTP was 6.8 months (range, 1.1 to ≥ 25.9 months) for all patients and 8.7 months for responders. Adverse events were primarily hematologic; the incidence of grade 4 neutropenia, thrombocytopenia, and anemia was 35%, 9%, and 4%, respectively. CONCLUSION: Ibritumomab tiuxetan radioimmunotherapy is effective in rituximab-refractory patients. The only significant toxicity is hematologic.

Multicenter Phase II Trial of Immunotherapy With the Humanized Anti-CD22 Antibody, Epratuzumab, in Combination With Rituximab, in Refractory or Recurrent Non-Hodgkin's Lymphoma

2006 ◽  
Vol 24 (24) ◽  
pp. 3880-3886 ◽  
Author(s):  
Sandra J. Strauss ◽  
Frank Morschhauser ◽  
Juergen Rech ◽  
Roland Repp ◽  
Philippe Solal-Celigny ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Follicular Lymphoma ◽  
Hodgkin’S Lymphoma ◽  
International Prognostic Index ◽  
Objective Response ◽  
Prognostic Index ◽  
B Cell Lymphoma ◽  
Complete Response ◽  
Hodgkin's Lymphoma ◽  
Non Hodgkin’S Lymphoma ◽  
Non Hodgkin's Lymphoma

Purpose A multicenter, single-arm study examining efficacy and toxicity of epratuzumab combined with rituximab was conducted in patients with recurrent or refractory non-Hodgkin's lymphoma. Patients and Methods Sixty-five patients were enrolled; 34 patients with follicular lymphoma (FL), 15 patients with diffuse large B-cell lymphoma (DLBCL), and 16 patients with other lymphomas. The patients had received a median of two prior therapies (range, 1 to 4); 23% had received rituximab. Epratuzumab was given at 360 mg/m2 intravenously over 60 minutes followed by infusion of 375 mg/m2 rituximab, weekly for 4 consecutive weeks. Results Combination therapy was well tolerated without greater toxicity than rituximab alone. The objective response (OR) rate was 47% (30 of 64) in assessable patients (46%; 30 of 65 in all patients), being highest in FL (64%; 21 of 33) and DLBCL (47%; seven of 15), and with 24% (eight of 33) and 33% (five of 15) achieving complete response (CR) or complete response unconfirmed (CRu) in these two groups, respectively. Two of six patients with marginal zone lymphoma responded to treatment (one CR). There was a trend for the response rates to be higher in patients with low prognostic index scores (statistically significant with respect to the Follicular Lymphoma International Prognostic Index score in FL patients), with 12 FL patients and three DLBCL patients in groups 0 to 1 having OR (CR/CRu) rates of 83% (33%) and 100% (100%), respectively. The median duration of response was 16 months for FL, with five patients currently progression free for 18 months to 30 months, and 6 months for DLBCL, with two patients currently progression free for 12 months and 18 months. Conclusion Epratuzumab combined with rituximab was well tolerated, demonstrating promising antilymphoma activity that warrants additional study.

High Rates of Durable Responses With Anti-CD22 Fractionated Radioimmunotherapy: Results of a Multicenter, Phase I/II Study in Non-Hodgkin's Lymphoma

2010 ◽  
Vol 28 (23) ◽  
pp. 3709-3716 ◽  
Author(s):  
Franck Morschhauser ◽  
Françoise Kraeber-Bodéré ◽  
William A. Wegener ◽  
Jean-Luc Harousseau ◽  
Marie-Odile Petillon ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Hodgkin’S Lymphoma ◽  
Bone Marrow Involvement ◽  
Progression Free Survival ◽  
Complete Response ◽  
Multicenter Trial ◽  
Hodgkin's Lymphoma ◽  
Bulky Disease ◽  
Non Hodgkin’S Lymphoma ◽  
Non Hodgkin's Lymphoma ◽  
Anti Cd20

Purpose Fractionated radioimmunotherapy targeting CD22 may substantially improve responses and outcome in non-Hodgkin's lymphoma (NHL). Patients and Methods A multicenter trial evaluated two or three weekly infusions of yttrium-90 (90Y) epratuzumab tetraxetan (humanized anti-CD22 antibody) in 64 patients with relapsed/refractory NHL, including 17 patients who underwent prior autologous stem-cell transplantation (ASCT). Objective (OR) and complete responses (CR/complete response unconfirmed [CRu]), as well as progression-free survival (PFS), were determined. Results At the maximum total 90Y dose of 45 mCi/m2 (1,665 MBq/m2), grade 3 to 4 hematologic toxicities were reversible to grade 1 in patients with less than 25% bone marrow involvement. The overall OR rate and median PFS for all 61 evaluable patients was 62% (CR/CRu, 48%) and 9.5 months, respectively. Patients without prior ASCT obtained high OR rates of 71% (CR/CRu, 55%) across all NHL subtypes and 90Y doses, even in poor-risk categories (refractory to last anti-CD20–containing regimen, 73% [CR/CRu, 60%]; bulky disease: 71% [CR/CRu, 43%]). Patients with prior ASCT received lower doses, but achieved an OR rate of 41% (CR/CRu, 29%). For patients with follicular lymphoma (FL), OR rates and median PFS increased with total 90Y-dose, reaching 100% (CR/CRu, 92%) and 24.6 months, respectively, at the highest dose levels (> 30 mCi/m2 total 90Y-dose [1,110 MBq/m2]). Further, patients with FL refractory to prior anti-CD20–containing regimens achieved 90% (nine of 10 patients) OR and CR/CRu rates and a median PFS of 21.5 months. Conclusion Fractionated anti-CD22 radioimmunotherapy provides high total doses of 90Y, yielding high rates of durable CR/CRus in relapsed/refractory NHL, resulting in 20 mCi/m2 × 2 weeks as the recommended dose for future studies.

Fludarabine-Based Regimens in the Treatment of Indolent Non-Hodgkin’s Lymphoma Patients: A Clinical Study of the Fludarabine Cooperation Group in 16 Hospitals in Eastern China.

Blood ◽  
2005 ◽  
Vol 106 (11) ◽  
pp. 4753-4753
Author(s):  
Junmin Li
Keyword(s):  
Clinical Study ◽  
Hodgkin’S Lymphoma ◽  
Eastern China ◽  
Progression Free Survival ◽  
Complete Response ◽  
Lymphocytic Leukemia ◽  
Hodgkin's Lymphoma ◽  
Non Hodgkin’S Lymphoma ◽  
Non Hodgkin's Lymphoma ◽  
Multi Center Study

Abstract Objective: We performed this prospective, multi-center study to evaluate the efficacy and safety of fludarabine-based regimes in the treatment of previously untreated and refractory, or relapsed, indolent non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma (NHL). Methods: Two fludarabine-based regimens were used in the clinical study. The FC regimen which consisted of fludarabine 50 mg/day, and cyclophosphamide 200 mg/day, intravenously, for 3 consecutive days, was given to the previously untreated patients. The FMD regimen which consisted of fludarabine 50 mg/day, intravenously, for 3 consecutive days, mitoxantrone 10 mg/m2, intravenously, on the first day, and dexamethasone 20 mg/m2/day, intravenously, for 5 consecutive days, was given to the relapsed and refractory patients. Results: Forty-seven indolent NHL patients (29 male and 18 female) were enrolled in this study from February 2003 to May 2005. The main disease subtypes were: chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL)/small lymphocytic lymphoma (SLL; n = 25), follicular lymphoma (FL; n = 18), lymphoplasmic lymphoma (LPL; n = 3), marginal zone lymphoma (MZL; n =1). Overall response (OR) rate was 93.62%, and 44 of 47 patients achieved a response. The complete response (CR) rate was 63.83%, and 30 of 47 patients achieved a response. In the 16 previously untreated patients, the CR rate was 75.0% (n =12); the OR rate was 93.8% (n = 15). In the 31 relapsed and refractory patients, the CR rate was 61.3% (n =19) and OR rate was 93.5% (n =29). Median patient follow-up was 12 months (range, 1–27 months). The 12-month progression free survival (PFS) rates of previously untreated patients and relapsed or refractory patients were 93.3±6.4% and 91.04±6.1%, respectively; and the 18-month overall survival (OS) rates were 90.9±8.67% and 90.32±6.90%, respectively. Both regimens were well tolerated and the major toxicities were bone marrow suppression and gastrointestinal response. Conclusion: The FC and FMD regimens are effective and safe for indolent NHL patients.

Single Agent Metronomic Cyclophosphamide in Refractory,Non-Hodgkin's Lymphoma.

Blood ◽  
2009 ◽  
Vol 114 (22) ◽  
pp. 4776-4776
Author(s):  
Caroline Hamm ◽  
Sindu M. Kanjeekal ◽  
John Mathews ◽  
Yasmin Alam ◽  
Sam Yoshida ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Mechanism Of Action ◽  
Hodgkin’S Lymphoma ◽  
Conflicts Of Interest ◽  
Single Agent ◽  
Progression Free Survival ◽  
Hodgkin's Lymphoma ◽  
Free Survival ◽  
Non Hodgkin’S Lymphoma ◽  
Non Hodgkin's Lymphoma ◽  
Significant Difference

Abstract Abstract 4776 n this retrospective review, we report a case series of eight patients with refractory, heavily pre-treated non-Hodgkin's lymphoma(NHL), treated with low dose cyclophosphamide. Median number of prior treatment regimens was 3. The median disease free survival was 15.5 months with three patients in ongoing CR at the time of reporting with 15 - 36 months of followup. In a comparative group of 6 patients with other malignancies beside NHL (3 chronic lymphocytic leukemia, 2 breast cancer, 1 thymoma, and one small cell carcinoma) the median progression free survival was significantly worse at 3 months. Interestingly the thymoma had a progression free survival of 36 months. Toxicity was minimal. One patient stopped because of thrombocytopenia. One of the patients with ongoing CR at 36 months stopped after 11 months of treatment. One patient died in CR of anal cancer after 15 months of treatment. These results demonstrate an easily tolerable and surprisingly effective treatment option in patients with non-Hodgkin's lymphoma who are not candidates for bone marrow transplantation. The mechanism of action of metronomic chemotherapy has been proposed as anti-angiogenic. We suggest an alternate mechanism of action: that of immunomodulation. We are suggesting this alternate explanation in view of the significant difference in the response rate between those disease that are known to immunogenic and those that may be less so, as well as the well-known immunogenic affect of cyclophosphamide. Further studies are ongoing to investigate this hypothesis. Disclosures: No relevant conflicts of interest to declare.

Maximizing Therapeutic Benefit of Rituximab: Maintenance Therapy Versus Re-Treatment at Progression in Patients With Indolent Non-Hodgkin's Lymphoma—A Randomized Phase II Trial of the Minnie Pearl Cancer Research Network

2005 ◽  
Vol 23 (6) ◽  
pp. 1088-1095 ◽  
Author(s):  
John D. Hainsworth ◽  
Sharlene Litchy ◽  
Don W. Shaffer ◽  
Van L. Lackey ◽  
Manuel Grimaldi ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Stable Disease ◽  
Hodgkin’S Lymphoma ◽  
Single Agent ◽  
Objective Response ◽  
Hodgkin's Lymphoma ◽  
Research Network ◽  
Phase Iii ◽  
Non Hodgkin’S Lymphoma ◽  
Non Hodgkin's Lymphoma ◽  
Maintenance Group

Purpose To compare the benefit of maintenance rituximab therapy versus rituximab re-treatment at progression in patients with previously treated indolent non-Hodgkin's lymphoma. Patients and Methods Between June 1998 and August 2002, 114 patients who had received previous chemotherapy for indolent non-Hodgkin's lymphoma were treated with a standard 4-week course of rituximab. Patients with objective response or stable disease were randomly assigned to receive either maintenance rituximab therapy (standard 4-week courses administered at 6-month intervals) or rituximab re-treatment at the time of lymphoma progression. The duration of rituximab benefit was measured from the date of first rituximab treatment until the date other treatment was required. Results Ninety (79%) of 114 patients had objective response or stable disease after initial rituximab treatment, and were randomly assigned to treatment. Progression-free survival was prolonged in the maintenance group (31.3 v 7.4 months; P = .007). Final overall and complete response rates were higher in the maintenance group. Duration of rituximab benefit was similar in the maintenance and re-treatment groups (31.3 v 27.4 months, respectively). More maintenance patients remain in continuous remission, and more are currently in complete remission. Both treatment approaches were well tolerated. Conclusion In patients who have objective response or stable disease with single-agent rituximab therapy, duration of rituximab benefit is substantially prolonged with either scheduled maintenance treatment or rituximab re-treatment at the time of progression. At present, the magnitude of benefit with either approach appears similar. However, additional follow-up of this trial is required, and completion of phase III randomized trials is necessary to definitively answer this question.

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