Usefulness and limitations of rituximab in managing patients with lymphoproliferative disorder after heart transplantation

Exp Clin Transplant. 2012 Oct;10(5):513-8. doi: 10.6002/ect.2012.0012. Epub 2012 Jun 29.

Abstract

Posttransplant lymphoproliferative disorders remain an uncommon complication of heart transplant with a high mortality rate reported after conventional therapies. Four patients with posttransplant lymphoproliferative disorders, of whom 3 were CD20 positive, received intravenous dosages of rituximab, 375 mg/m(2), weekly, for 6 ± 2 weeks. The overall response rate was 75% with 3 complete responses (CD20 positive) and 1 case of progressive disease (CD20 negative). Rituximab should be considered as a first-line therapy for patients with CD20 positive posttransplant lymphoproliferative disorders.

Publication types

  • Case Reports

MeSH terms

  • Antibodies, Monoclonal, Murine-Derived / therapeutic use*
  • Female
  • Heart Transplantation / adverse effects*
  • Humans
  • Immunologic Factors / therapeutic use*
  • Lymphoproliferative Disorders / drug therapy*
  • Male
  • Middle Aged
  • Postoperative Complications / drug therapy*
  • Remission Induction
  • Rituximab
  • Treatment Outcome
  • Young Adult

Substances

  • Antibodies, Monoclonal, Murine-Derived
  • Immunologic Factors
  • Rituximab