Rituximab maintenance for the treatment of patients with follicular lymphoma: an updated systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized trials

In a previous systematic review and meta-analysis of five randomized controlled trials comparing rituximab maintenance with no maintenance (observation or rituximab at progression) for patients with follicular lymphoma, we reported that rituximab maintenance treatment improved the overall survival of patients. In this study, we did a similar search of the electronic databases updated through December 31, 2010, and included nine trials and 2586 follicular lymphoma patients. Hazard ratios (HRs) for time-to-event data were estimated and pooled using the inverse variance method. Risk ratios for dichotomous data were pooled using a fixed effect model. Patients treated with rituximab maintenance had improved overall survival (pooled HR of death = 0.76, 95% confidence interval [CI] = 0.62 to 0.92) compared with patients in the no maintenance group. Patients with refractory or relapsed (ie, previously treated) follicular lymphoma treated with rituximab maintenance had improved overall survival (pooled HR of death = 0.72, 95% CI = 0.57 to 0.91), whereas previously untreated patients had no survival benefit (pooled HR of death = 0.86, 95% CI = 0.60 to 1.25). The rate of infection-related adverse events was higher in the rituximab maintenance group (pooled risk ratio = 1.67, 95% CI = 1.40 to 2.00). These results further support the use of rituximab maintenance in the standard of care for refractory or relapsed follicular lymphoma.     

Clinical Characteristics of Posttransplant Lymphoproliferative Disorder After Cord Blood Transplantation Without Antithymocyte Globulin

BackgroundCBT with ATG use is a well-known PTLD risk factor. However, little is known regarding the clinical features of PTLD after ATG-free CBT.Patients and MethodsWe analyzed the incidence, risk factors and prognosis of PTLD in 183 adults undergoing ATG-free CBT.ResultsFifteen patients (diffuse large B-cell lymphoma, n = 9, mucosa-associated lymphoid tissue lymphoma, n = 2 nondestructive PTLD, n = 1, T-cell lymphoma, n = 3) developed PTLD. The 2-year CuI of PTLD was 8.0% (95% CI: 4.6-12.7). Pathologically, all 12 B-cell PTLD patients had Epstein–Barr virus (EBV), compared with 1 of 3 T-cell PTLD patients. All patients, excluding one with nondestructive PTLD, showed extranodal involvement. In the univariate analysis, the 2-year CuI of PTLD was significantly higher in patients who received mycophenolate mofetil to prevent graft-versus-host disease than in nonrecipients (11.2%/2.9%, P = .0457). However, multivariate analysis revealed no independent PTLD risk factors. All 11 PTLD patients who received specific therapy achieved complete remission. The 1-year overall survival of PTLD patients was 70.9%.ConclusionAlthough we found a higher CuI of PTLD than previously reported, the prognosis was generally good. In CBT recipients, many factors, including MMF use, may be associated with the clinical features of PTLD.     

Effect of response quality and line of treatment with rituximab on overall and disease-free survival of patients with B-cell lymphoma

Background

The introduction of rituximab into the treatment of patients with non-Hodgkin’s lymphomas has improved the overall response rate, as well as the response duration and the overall survival of patients with B-cell lymphomas. But only a few studies have addressed the question whether the better response (complete response) and the early introduction of rituximab into the treatment translate into the better survival. The aim of this retrospective study was to assess the potential relationship between either the quality of the response or the line of the rituximab treatment and the overall survival (OS) as well as the disease-free survival (DFS) of patients with B-cell lymphomas.

Patients and methods.

In the study, we analysed treatment outcomes in patients with different histological types of B-cell lymphomas who were treated at the Institute of Oncology between 2003 and 2007 with rituximab and chemotherapy. We included only patients who had the level of CD20 expression assessed prior to the introduction of the treatment with quantitative flow-cytometric measurements. The OS and DFS were evaluated by Kaplan-Meier survival curves.

Results

One hundred and fourteen patients were enrolled in the study. Patients who achieved a complete response after the rituximab containing treatment had a significantly longer OS than those reaching a partial response (hazard ratio [HR], 0.34; 95% CI, 0.05 to 0.91, P = 0.0375) and than patients with stable (hazard ratio [HR], 0.11; 95% CI, 0.0002 to 0.033, P < 0.0001) or progressive disease (hazard ratio [HR], 0.09; 95% CI, 0.003 to 0.03, P < 0.0001). Patients who achieved a complete response (CR; n = 70; 61.4%) had also a significantly longer DFS (hazard ratio [HR], 0.26; 95% CI, 0.021 to 0.538, P = 0.0068) than those reaching only a partial response (PR; n = 17; 14.9%). Patients treated with rituximab as the first-line treatment (n = 50; 43.9%) had a significantly longer OS than those treated with rituximab for the first (hazard ratio [HR], 0.27; 95% CI, 0.106 to 0.645, P = 0.0036) or second relapse (hazard ratio [HR], 0.22; 95% CI, 0.078 to 0.5, P = 0.0006). Also the DFS of patients treated with rituximab as the first-line treatment (n = 46; 52.9%) was significantly longer (hazard ratio [HR], 0.32; 95% CI, 0.088 to 0.9, P = 0.0325) than in patients treated with rituximab for their first relapse (n = 25; 28.7%).

Conclusions

These data indicate that a better response to rituximab therapy presumably translates into an improved OS and DFS for patients with B-cell lymphomas. The early introduction of rituximab into the treatment (i.e. first-line treatment) might improve OS. Therefore, the response adapted first-line therapy with rituximab should be considered when the treatment decision is taken in B-cell lymphoma patients.     

Epstein–Barr virus-related lymphoproliferative disorder induced by equine anti-thymocyte globulin therapy

Post-transplant lymphoproliferative disorder (PTLD) is generally caused by an uncontrolled B-cell proliferation induced by Epstein-Barr virus (EBV) in the setting of impaired EBV-specific T-cell immunity. PTLD has been described in allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell transplant (HSCT) and rarely in autologous HSCT. Anti-thymocyte globulin (ATG) is being increasingly utilized for acute rejection in organ transplantation, severe autoimmune diseases and aplastic anemia. Mainly, the use of rabbit ATG has been associated with PTLD, which is considered to be more immunosuppressive than equine ATG. The sole administration of equine ATG has rarely been associated with PTLD. Due to the increased use of these potent and novel immunosuppressive agents, it is paramount to be aware of these complications. We present a 55-year-old man with an autologous HSCT who presented with an unusual case of monoclonal plasmacytic PTLD. His lymphoproliferative disorder occurred 3 years after his HSCT and 1 month after the use of equine ATG administered for severe aplastic anemia. We review current concepts of EBV-PTLD, including risk factors, the potential for preemptive therapy and various management strategies.     

Anti-CD20 monoclonal antibody (Rituximab) and Cidofovir as successful treatment of an EBV-associated lymphoma with CNS involvement.

BACKGROUND: Epstein-Barr virus(EBV)-associated posttransplant lymphoproliferative disease (PTLD) is a serious complication after allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (HSCT). Especially in cases with involvement of the central nervous system (CNS) treatment is difficult because the efficacy of most chemotherapeutic agents as well as EBV-specific cytotoxic donor T cells in liquor is uncertain. In the last years the anti-CD20 monoclonal antibody Rituximab was intensively investigated in the treatment of EBV-PTLD. However, only 8 patients with B-cell lymphoma and CNS involvement treated with Rituximab were reported. CASE REPORT: A 24-year-old female patient with acute T-lymphoblastic leukemia in second complete remission had received allogeneic, unrelated, T-cell depleted HSCT. 10 months later an EBV-associated PTLD was diagnosed. Beside peripheral lymphomas and B symptoms the patient showed neurological symptoms. Examination of the cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) revealed a meningeosis lymphoblastica caused by the EBV lymphoma. Treatment with Rituximab and the antiviral drug Cidofovir led to complete remission with regression of the peripheral lymphomas and disappearance of the neurological symptoms. In addition, the PCR control on EBV DNA became negative in the plasma as well as in CSF. CONCLUSION: The combination of Rituximab and Cidofovir appears as an interesting alternative treatment in patients with EBV-associated PTLD and CNS involvement.     

High-dose intravenous rituximab for multifocal,monomorphic primary central nervous system posttransplant lymphoproliferative disorder

Primary central nervous system (CNS) posttransplant lymphoproliferative disorder (PTLD) is a well-recognized but rare complication of solid organ transplantation. Most of these disorders are B-cell in origin and generally carry poor prognosis. Rituximab, an anti-CD20 monoclonal antibody, has been used effectively in patients with systemic PTLD. However, its role in primary CNS PTLD is doubtful because it does not cross blood–brain barrier efficiently (<5%). Also, mechanisms, by which rituximab operates are not optimally effective in CNS. Here, we describe a renal transplant patient with monomorphic, multifocal, CD20-positive, primary B-cell CNS PTLD, who was treated with high-dose intravenous rituximab given in dose-escalation protocol, which has been used effectively for the patients with chronic lymphocytic leukemia. At 1-year follow-up, magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) showed complete resolution. High-dose rituximab may have a role in highly selected patients with primary CNS PTLD.     

Use of rituximab in three children with relapsed/refractory Burkitt lymphoma

Monoclonal antibodies have provided new promise for patients with B-cell malignancies. Rituximab is a monoclonal antibody against B-lymphocytes that express CD20; it is used for the treatment of patients with relapsed or refractory B-cell non-Hodgkin lymphoma. Very few data are available regarding the treatment of children with non-Hodgkin lymphoma with rituximab. In this article, we reported three children with primary refractory/relapsed B-cell-non-Hodgkin lymphoma, who were successfully treated with a combination of intensive chemotherapy protocol plus rituximab. In all three of our cases, the patients are still in complete remission. Our aim is to emphasize the importance of use of rituximab in the treatment of childhood B-cell non-Hodgkin lymphoma.     

Incidence of transformation to aggressive lymphoma in limited-stage follicular lymphoma treated with radiotherapy

BackgroundThe established treatment of limited-stage follicular lymphoma is radiotherapy (RT). There is an inherent risk of transformation of follicular lymphoma to aggressive lymphoma; however, the frequency and impact on the outcome are unknown in limited-stage patients.Materials and methodsWe identified 237 patients with limited-stage follicular lymphoma treated with curative intent RT. Cases were reviewed to determine the frequency of transformation and subsequent survival.ResultsWith a median follow-up of 7.4 years, the 10-year risk of transformation was 18.5%. With a median follow-up after transformation of 4.7 years, the 3-year post-transformation progression-free survival (PFS) and overall survival (OS) were 42% and 44%, respectively. The addition of rituximab improved the 3-year post-transformation PFS and OS compared with combination chemotherapy alone (78% versus 15%, P < 0.00001) and (87% versus 38.5%, P < 0.00001), respectively. In multivariate analysis, only rituximab was associated with OS [HR 0.07 (95% CI 0.015–0.312, P = 0.001)] and PFS [HR 0.19 (95% CI 0.55–0.626, P = 0.007)] following transformation.ConclusionsThere is a moderate risk of transformation in limited-stage follicular lymphoma treated with curative intent RT, and it substantially impacts outcome in these patients. Treatment with rituximab at the time of transformation appears to improve survival in this otherwise poor-risk population.     

Impact of the introduction of rituximab in first‐line follicular lymphoma: a retrospective study of 247 unselected patients referred to a single institution with a long‐term follow‐up

Rituximab was approved in France in 2004, following randomized trials that demonstrated efficacy in newly diagnosed high tumour burden follicular lymphoma (FL). This retrospective study compared the management and outcome of FL in unselected patients treated in a single institution before and after rituximab approval. Two hundred and forty‐seven adult patients were referred with first‐line FL between 1996 and 2010 and are included in this study. The 103 pre‐rituximab patients comprising cohort 1 were diagnosed between January 1996 and December 2003; cohort 2 includes the 144 patients diagnosed after the approval of rituximab between January 2004 and December 2010. Baseline clinical and biological data, type of therapy, treatment response, progression‐free survival (PFS) and overall survival (OS) rates were compared. There were no statistically significant differences between the two cohorts with respect to baseline clinical and disease characteristics, including FL International Prognostic Index score. The major difference between the two cohorts is the use of rituximab in first line. Seventy‐one per cent of patients in cohort 2 received rituximab (19% alone, 52% with chemotherapy) versus 10% in cohort 1 (2% alone, 8% with chemotherapy; p < 0.0001). The objective response rate (ORR) was significantly higher for cohort 2 (ORR 84% compared with 72% for cohort 1; p = 0.03). The PFS and OS rates were also significantly better: 3‐year PFS 72% [95% confidence interval (CI) 64–80%] versus 55% (95% CI 45–64%), p = 0.0039 and 3‐year OS 98% (95% CI 94–99%) versus 83% (95% CI 74–90%), p = 0.0007. Effect of period of study is significant when using multivariate analysis on PFS and OS and lactate dehydrogenase level (PFS and OS) and age (OS). These data from everyday practice confirm the benefit for patients with FL treated in the last decade through availability of rituximab in first line used alone or in association with various chemotherapy regimens. Copyright © 2014 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Concurrent administration of high-dose rituximab before and after autologous stem-cell transplantation for relapsed aggressive B-cell non-Hodgkin's lymphomas.

PURPOSE: We investigated the efficacy and safety of administering high-dose rituximab (HD-R) in combination with high-dose carmustine, cytarabine, etoposide, and melphalan chemotherapy and autologous stem-cell transplantation (SCT) in patients with recurrent B-cell aggressive non-Hodgkin's lymphoma (NHL). PATIENTS AND METHODS: Sixty-seven consecutive patients were treated. Rituximab was administered during stem-cell mobilization (1 day before chemotherapy at 375 mg/m(2) and 7 days after chemotherapy at 1,000 mg/m(2)), together with granulocyte colony-stimulating factor 10 mug/kg and granulocyte-macrophage colony-stimulating factor 250 microg/m(2) administered subcutaneously daily. HD-R of 1,000 mg/m(2) was administered again days 1 and 8 after transplantation. The results of this treatment were retrospectively compared with those of a historical control group receiving the same preparative regimen without rituximab. RESULTS: With a median follow-up time for the study group of 20 months, the overall survival rate at 2-years was 80% (95% CI, 65% to 89%) for the study group and 53% (95% CI, 34% to 69%) for the control group (P = .002). Disease-free survival was 67% (95% CI, 51% to 79%) for the study group and 43% (95% CI, 26% to 60%) for the control group (P = .004). The median time to recovery of absolute neutrophil count to >/= 500 cells/microL was 11 days (range, 8 to 37 days) for the rituximab group and 10 days (range, 8 to 17 days) for the matched control group (P = .001). However, infections were not significantly increased in patients treated with rituximab. CONCLUSION: The results of this study suggest that using HD-R and autologous SCT is a feasible and promising treatment for patients with B-cell aggressive NHL.     

Rituximab and risk of second primary malignancies in patients with non-Hodgkin lymphoma: a systematic review and meta-analysis

BackgroundAddition of the anti-CD20 monoclonal antibody rituximab to chemotherapy improves response rates and survival in patients with B-cell non-Hodgkin lymphoma (NHL). However, rituximab induces a transient B-cell depletion and a dose-dependent T-cell inactivation that could impair T-cell immunosurveillance. The impact of rituximab on second primary malignancy (SPM) risk remains unclear so far. We thus carried out a systematic review to compare SPM risk among patients treated or not with rituximab.Patients and methodsWe retrieved trials from MEDLINE and EMBASE and updated data presented at American Society of Hematology and American Society of Clinical Oncology meetings from 1998 to 2013. We selected randomized, controlled trials addressing newly or relapsed/progressive B-cell NHL in which randomization arms differed only from rituximab administration. Two authors extracted data and assessed the study quality.ResultsWe analyzed nine trials involving 4621 patients. At a median follow-up of 73 months, a total of 169 SPMs were observed in patients randomized to rituximab compared with 165 SPMs in patients not randomized to rituximab (OR = 0.88; 95% CI 0.66–1.19). The proportion of females, histology subtypes, use of rituximab in first line or in maintenance did not influence SPM risk (P = 0.94, P = 0.80, P = 0.87, P = 0.87, respectively). Cumulative exposure through prolonged administration in trials with rituximab maintenance did not contribute to an increased risk of SPM (P = 0.86).ConclusionOur meta-analysis suggests no SPM predisposition among NHL survivors exposed to rituximab at a median follow-up of 6 years.     

异基因造血干细胞移植患者72例急性移植物抗宿主病临床研究

 目的　探讨异基因造血干细胞移植（allo-HSCT）后急性移植物抗宿主病（aGVHD）的发生及其危险因素。方法　总结2004年10月至2008年12月治疗的72例allo-HSCT患者的临床资料。回顾性分析患者各临床因素与aGVHD发生的关系。结果　32例患者发生Ⅰ～Ⅳ度aGVHD,累积发生率44.4 %。其中Ⅰ度8例（11.1 %）,Ⅱ度13例（18.1 %）,Ⅲ度7例（9.7 %）,Ⅳ度4例（5.6 %）。单因素分析显示疾病种类（P＜0.1）、抗人类T淋巴细胞球蛋白（ATG）的应用（P＜0.1）、疾病状态（P＜0.1）、预处理方案（P＜0.1）、供者类型（P＜0.1）、 供受者血型不合（P＜0.1）、回输CD+34 细胞数量（P＜0.1）、移植早期感染以及HLA配型均与aGVHD的发生有关。多因素分析（Cox regression）确定不含ATG的GVHD预防方案（HR＝2.94,P＜0.001）、HLA配型不合（HR＝2.58,P＜0.005）以及无关供者 （HR＝1.97,P＜0.01）是发生aGVHD的主要危险因素。结论　aGVHD是allo-HSCT的重要并发症,HLA配型不合以及无关供者是aGVHD发生的主要危险因素。     

New risk factors and new tendency for central nervous system relapse in patients with diffuse large B-cell lymphoma：a retrospective study

Background:In patients with diffuse large B?cell lymphoma (DLBCL), central nervous system (CNS) relapse is uncom?mon but is nearly always fatal. This study aimed to determine the risk factors for CNS relapse in DLBCL patients and to evaluate the effcacy of rituximab and intrathecal chemotherapy prophylaxis for CNS relapse reduction. Methods:A total of 511 patients with newly diagnosed DLBCL treated at the Sun Yat?sen University Cancer Center between January 2003 and December 2012 were included in the study. Among these patients, 376 received R?CHOP regimen (rituximab, cyclophosphamide, doxorubicin, vincristine, and prednisone) as primary treatment, and 135 received CHOP regimen (cyclophosphamide, doxorubicin, vincristine, and prednisone) as primary treatment. Intrathe?cal chemotherapy prophylaxis (methotrexate plus cytarabine) was administered to those who were deemed at high risk for CNS relapse. In the entire cohort and in the R?CHOP set in particular, the Kaplan–Meier method coupled with the log?rank test was used for univariate analysis, and the Cox proportional hazards model was used for multivariate analysis. Differences were evaluated using a two?tailed test, andP<0.05 was considered signiifcant. Results:At a median follow?up of 46months, 25 (4.9%) patients experienced CNS relapse. There was a trend of reduced occurrence of CNS relapse in patients treated with rituximab; the 3?year cumulative CNS relapse rates were 7.1% in CHOP group and 2.7% in R?CHOP group (P=0.045). Intrathecal chemotherapy prophylaxis did not confer much beneift in terms of preventing CNS relapse. Bone involvement [hazard ratio (HR)=4.21, 95% conifdence interval (CI) 1.38–12.77], renal involvement (HR=3.85, 95% CI 1.05–14.19), alkaline phosphatase (ALP) >110U/L (HR=3.59, 95% CI 1.25–10.34), serum albumin (ALB) <35g/L (HR=3.63, 95% CI 1.25–10.51), treatment with rituxi?mab (HR=0.34, 95% CI 0.12–0.96), and a time to complete remission≤ 108days (HR=0.22, 95% CI 0.06–0.78) were independent predictive factors for CNS relapse in the entire cohort. Bone involvement (HR=4.44, 95% CI 1.08–18.35), bone marrow involvement (HR=11.70, 95% CI 2.24–60.99), and renal involvement (HR=10.83, 95% CI 2.27–51.65) were independent risk factors for CNS relapse in the R?CHOP set. Conclusions:In the present study, rituximab decreased the CNS relapse rate of DLBCL, whereas intrathecal chemo?therapy prophylaxis alone was not suffcient for preventing CNS relapse. Serum levels of ALB and ALP, and the time to complete remission were new independent predictive factors for CNS relapse in the patients with DLBCL. In the patients received R?CHOP regimen, a trend of increased CNS relapse was found to be associated with extranodal lesions.     

美罗华联合CHOP方案与CHOP方案治疗初治弥漫性大B细胞淋巴瘤的临床对比研究

背景与目的:CHOP方案是治疗弥漫性大B细胞淋巴瘤的标准方案。美罗华是一种抗CD20单克隆抗体,对弥漫性大B细胞淋巴瘤有效。本研究中比较美罗华联合CHOP方案和单用CHOP方案治疗初治的弥漫性大B细胞淋巴瘤的疗效和不良反应。方法:采用同期非随机对照的前瞻性研究方法,将72例初治的弥漫性大B细胞淋巴瘤患者分为联合组和CHOP组。联合组34例,采用CHOP方案(环磷酰胺加阿霉素加长春新碱加强的松)加美罗华(375mg/m2,于每周期化疗前2天静脉滴注1次)治疗;CHOP组38例,单用CHOP方案化疗。两组均每3周为一个循环周期,6个周期后比较两组的疗效及不良反应。结果:联合组完全缓解23例,部分缓解7例,总有效率为93.8%(30/32);CHOP组完全缓解19例,部分缓解8例,总有效率为75.0%(27/36),两组疗效差异有显著性(P<0.05);联合组和CHOP组1年的无进展生存率分别为81.2%和52.8%,总生存率为93.8%和75.0%,联合组均显著优于CHOP组(P<0.05)。联合组的不良反应主要为发热等输注相关的不良反应,以及骨髓抑制等化疗相关的血液学不良反应,其中输注相关的不良反应轻微,患者均可耐受,而骨髓抑制情况与CHOP组类似。结论:美罗华联合CHOP方案能够提高CHOP方案治疗初治弥漫性大B细胞淋巴瘤的疗效,而毒性反应类似,可作为该病的一线治疗方案。     

Antibodies for the treatment of diffuse large cell lymphoma

The development of monoclonal antibodies has significantly affected the therapy of B-cell non-Hodgkin's lymphomas (NHLs). Rituximab, a chimeric monoclonal antibody directed against the CD20 antigen, has activity in both indolent and aggressive B-cell lymphomas. Perhaps the greatest change has occurred in first-line therapy of advanced stage, diffuse large cell lymphoma (DLCL), where rituximab combined with conventional chemotherapy has improved both overall survival (OS) and progression-free survival (PFS) over combination chemotherapy alone. Further studies are needed assessing the role of rituximab in salvage therapy, as part of the conditioning regimen prior to autologous stem cell transplant, and as maintenance therapy for large cell lymphoma. Several novel monoclonal antibodies are in development and may also be active in DLCL. These agents may be most promising when combined with either chemotherapy or with rituximab. This review will summarize the use of rituximab in the therapy of diffuse large B-cell lymphoma and briefly describe antibodies in development.     

Outcomes in patients with splenic marginal zone lymphoma and marginal zone lymphoma treated with rituximab with or without chemotherapy or chemotherapy alone

BACKGROUND: The optimal management of patients with splenic marginal zone lymphoma/marginal zone lymphoma (SMZL) is controversial. The objective of this retrospective study was to compare the outcomes of patients with SMZL who received treatment with rituximab, rituximab plus chemotherapy, or chemotherapy alone. METHODS: The Leukemia Service database was searched for patients with splenic lymphoma who were registered between May 1995 and October 2004. The indications for treatment were the same as those used for patients with chronic lymphocytic leukemia. RESULTS: SMZL was confirmed in 70 patients. The median age was 64 years. The median number of CD20 molecules per cell was 69 x 10(3). Forty-three patients required systemic therapy; rituximab in 26 patients, chemotherapy plus rituximab in 6 patients, and chemotherapy alone in 11 patients. Ten additional patients underwent splenectomy, and 17 patients were in the observation group. The overall response rates were 88% with rituximab, 83% with rituximab plus chemotherapy, and 55% with chemotherapy alone; the 3-year survival rates were 95%, 100%, and 55%, respectively. The 3-year failure-free survival (FFS) rates were 86%, 100%, and 45% in the rituximab, rituximab plus chemotherapy, and chemotherapy alone groups, respectively. Rituximab treatments resulted in longer survival and FFS compared with chemotherapy. Rituximab alone resulted in disappearance of splenomegaly in 92% of patients and normalization of absolute lymphocyte counts. In univariate analysis, younger age and rituximab-based therapy were predictive of longer FFS. CONCLUSIONS: Rituximab with or without chemotherapy was found to have major activity in patients with SMZL. These results may be associated with high levels of cellular CD20 antigen sites. Rituximab should be the treatment of choice, at least in older patients with SMZL who have comorbid diseases.     

Role of ATG10 expression quantitative trait loci in non‐small cell lung cancer survival

The aim of this article was to evaluate whether genetic variants in autophagy‐related genes affect the overall survival (OS) of non‐small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) patients. We analyzed 14 single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) in core autophagy‐related genes for OS in 1,001 NSCLC patients. Three promising SNPs in ATG10 were subsequently annotated by the expression quantitative trait loci (eQTL) and methylation quantitative trait loci (meQTL) analyses based on Genotype‐Tissue Expression (GTEx) and The Cancer Genome Atlas (TCGA) datasets. We observed that the variants of rs10514231, rs1864182 and rs1864183 were associated with poor lung cancer survival (HR = 1.33, 95% CI = 1.07–1.65; HR = 1.43, 95% CI = 1.13–1.81; HR = 1.38, 95% CI = 1.14–1.68, respectively) and positively correlated with ATG10 expression (all p < 0.05) from GTEx and TCGA datasets. The elevated expression of ATG10 may predict shorter survival time in lung cancer patients in TCGA dataset (HR = 2.10, 95% CI = 1.33–3.29). Moreover, the variants of rs10514231 and rs1864182 were associated with the increased methylation levels of cg17942617 (meQTL), which in turn contributed to the elevated ATG10 expression and decreased survival time. Further functional assays revealed that ATG10 facilitated lung cancer cell proliferation and migration. Our findings suggest that eQTL/meQTL variations of ATG10 could influence lung cancer survival through regulating ATG10 expression.     

Evolving role of rituximab in the treatment of patients with non-Hodgkin's lymphoma

Rituximab is the first monoclonal antibody to have been registered for the treatment of B-cell lymphomas. Randomized studies have demonstrated its activity in follicular lymphoma, mantle cell lymphoma, and diffuse large B-cell lymphoma in untreated or relapsing patients. Rituximab has transformed the outcome of these patients because of its high activity and low toxicity. A combination of rituximab plus cyclophosphamide, doxorubicin, vincristine, and prednisone, has the highest efficacy ever described with any chemotherapy in diffuse large B-cell lymphoma and follicular lymphoma.     

Clinical characteristics and outcomes of relapsed follicular lymphoma after autologous stem cell transplantation in the rituximab era

High-dose chemotherapy followed by autologous stem cell transplantation (ASCT) is a therapeutic option for patients with relapsed follicular lymphoma (FL). The clinical characteristics and outcomes of FL relapse after ASCT in the rituximab era have not yet been fully elucidated. We retrospectively reviewed 414 FL patients treated with ASCT between 2000 and 2014 in four hematology departments. All patients received rituximab as a first-line treatment. We specifically analyzed the clinical characteristics, treatment strategies at relapse, and outcomes of 95 patients (23%) who relapsed after ASCT. The patients (median age, 57 y) received a median of two lines of therapy (range, 2-6) prior to ASCT, with 92% in complete response (CR) or partial response (PR) before ASCT. Histological transformation at relapse after ASCT was observed in 20% of the patients. Treatment at relapse after ASCT consisted of chemotherapy with or without rituximab (n = 45/90, 50%), targeted agents (18%), rituximab monotherapy (14%), or consolidation allogeneic transplantation after induction chemotherapy (12%) and radiotherapy (6%). After relapse, the median progression-free survival (PFS) and overall survival (OS) were 1 year (95% CI, 0.541-1.579) and 5.5 years (95% CI, 1.910-9.099), respectively. In the multivariate analysis, histological transformation (HT) was associated with OS (P = .044; HR 2.439; 95% CI, 1.025-5.806), and a high FLIPI score at relapse was associated with PFS (P = .028; HR 2.469; 95% CI, 1.104-5.521). This retrospective study showed that the period of PFS of patients who relapsed after ASCT is short. A biopsy should be performed for these patients to document the HT. Our results indicate that new treatment strategies will need to be developed for these patients.     

Rituximab for HIV-associated lymphoma: weighing the benefits and risks

PURPOSE OF REVIEW: This review discusses the potential benefits and risks of using the anti-CD20 monoclonal antibody rituximab for the treatment of HIV-associated B-cell non-Hodgkin's lymphoma. RECENT FINDINGS: Studies have consistently demonstrated that rituximab improves response and survival when combined with standard chemotherapy compared with chemotherapy alone in immunocompetent patients with intermediate-grade non-Hodgkin's lymphoma. Several recently reported phase II and III trials have evaluated the use of rituximab plus chemotherapy for HIV-associated B-cell non-Hodgkin's lymphoma. Phase II trials combining rituximab with either standard cyclophosphamide, doxorubicin, vincristine, and prednisone (CHOP) chemotherapy or infusional chemotherapy have reported encouraging results, suggesting a similar benefit in HIV-positive individuals. A phase III trial comparing CHOP with CHOP-plus rituximab (R-CHOP) demonstrated a lower risk from progression of the lymphoma, but a higher risk of early and late infectious-related death in patients with a low CD4 count (< 50/microL). SUMMARY: Rituximab should be used cautiously in patients with advanced HIV infection who have a CD4 count of less than 50/microL, as it seems to increase the risk of developing fatal infectious complications. In patients with higher CD4 counts, the benefit of rituximab may outweigh its risk, although this has yet to be confirmed in prospective, randomized trials specifically performed in this population.