Efficacy and safety of rituximab in B-cell post-transplantation lymphoproliferative disorders: results of a prospective multicenter phase 2 study

Blood. 2006 Apr 15;107(8):3053-7. doi: 10.1182/blood-2005-01-0377. Epub 2005 Oct 27.

Abstract

B-cell posttransplantation lymphoproliferative disorder (B-PTLD) is a rare but severe complication of transplantation, with no consensus on best treatment practice. This prospective trial, the first to test a treatment for PTLD, was designed to evaluate the efficacy and safety of rituximab in patients with B-PTLD after solid organ transplantation (SOT). Forty-six patients were included and 43 patients were analyzed. Patients were eligible if they had untreated B-PTLD that was not responding to tapering of immunosuppression. Treatment consisted of 4 weekly injections of rituximab at 375 mg/m2. At day (d) 80, 37 (86%) patients were alive, and the response rate was 44.2%, including 12 complete response/unconfirmed complete response (CR/CRu). The only factor predictive of a response at d80 was a normal lactate dehydrogenase level (P = .007, odds ratio [OR] = 6.9). At d360, responses were maintained in 68% of patients, and 56% of patients were alive. The overall survival rate at 1 year was 67%. We conclude that rituximab is effective and safe in PTLD, with stable responses at 1 year. The response rate and overall survival might be improved by combining rituximab with other treatments.

Publication types

  • Clinical Trial, Phase II
  • Multicenter Study
  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Adolescent
  • Adult
  • Aged
  • Antibodies, Monoclonal / administration & dosage*
  • Antibodies, Monoclonal / adverse effects
  • Antibodies, Monoclonal, Murine-Derived
  • Antineoplastic Agents / administration & dosage*
  • Antineoplastic Agents / adverse effects
  • B-Lymphocytes*
  • Disease-Free Survival
  • Female
  • Humans
  • Hydro-Lyases / blood
  • Lymphoproliferative Disorders / blood
  • Lymphoproliferative Disorders / drug therapy*
  • Lymphoproliferative Disorders / etiology
  • Lymphoproliferative Disorders / mortality
  • Male
  • Middle Aged
  • Organ Transplantation* / mortality
  • Prospective Studies
  • Remission Induction / methods
  • Rituximab

Substances

  • Antibodies, Monoclonal
  • Antibodies, Monoclonal, Murine-Derived
  • Antineoplastic Agents
  • Rituximab
  • Hydro-Lyases
  • lactate dehydratase