Publicaciones científicas
Effect of addition of rituximab to salvage chemotherapy on outcome of patients with diffuse large B-cell lymphoma relapsing after an autologous stem-cell transplantation
Calvo-Villas JM, Martín A, Conde E, Pascual A, Heras I, Varela R, de la Rubia J, Ramirez MJ, Díez-Martín JL, Panizo C, Rodríguez-Salazar MJ, Pascual MJ, Donato EM, González-Barca E, Caballero MD; on behalf of the Grupo Español de Linfomas/Trasplante Autólogo de Médula Ósea (GEL/TAMO cooperative group).
BACKGROUND
We have investigated if rituximab-based salvage regimens improve response rates and survival of patients with diffuse large B-cell lymphoma (DLBCL) relapsing after an autologous stem-cell transplantation (ASCT).
PATIENTS AND METHODS
We have retrospectively analyzed 82 patients with DLBCL who received salvage therapy for relapse or progression after ASCT. Patients were divided into two groups, according to whether rituximab-based salvage regimens were given (n = 42, 'R-' group) or not (n = 40, 'R+' group) after ASCT.
RESULTS
Patients in the R+ group had better complete remission (CR) (55% versus 21.4%, P = 0.006) and overall response (OR) (75% versus 40.4%, P = 0.001) rates, and better 3-year event-free survival (EFS) (37% versus 9%, P = 0.002) and overall survival (OS) (50% versus 20%, P = 0.005) than patients in the R- group. Patients retreated with rituximab had better CR (42.9% versus 21.4%, P = 0.032) and OR (66.7% versus 40.4%, P = 0.019) rates, and better OS (36.2% versus 20% at 3 years, P = 0.05) and EFS (36.2% versus 9% at 3 years, P = 0.05) than patients who received chemotherapy alone at relapse after ASCT.
CONCLUSIONS
The addition of rituximab to salvage chemotherapy improves response rates and EFS in patients with relapsed DLBCL after ASCT. These patients may benefit from rituximab retreatment, although larger prospective studies are needed to confirm these results.
CITA DEL ARTÍCULO Ann Oncol. 2010 Sep;21(9):1891-7