All content on this site is intended for healthcare professionals only. By acknowledging this message and accessing the information on this website you are confirming that you are a Healthcare Professional. If you are a patient or carer, please visit the Lymphoma Coalition.

The Lymphoma Hub uses cookies on this website. They help us give you the best online experience. By continuing to use our website without changing your cookie settings, you agree to our use of cookies in accordance with our updated Cookie Policy

Introducing

Now you can personalise
your Lymphoma Hub experience!

Bookmark content to read later

Select your specific areas of interest

View content recommended for you

Find out more
  TRANSLATE

The Lymphoma Hub website uses a third-party service provided by Google that dynamically translates web content. Translations are machine generated, so may not be an exact or complete translation, and the Lymphoma Hub cannot guarantee the accuracy of translated content. The Lymphoma Hub and its employees will not be liable for any direct, indirect, or consequential damages (even if foreseeable) resulting from use of the Google Translate feature. For further support with Google Translate, visit Google Translate Help.

Steering CommitteeAbout UsNewsletterContact
LOADING
You're logged in! Click here any time to manage your account or log out.
LOADING
You're logged in! Click here any time to manage your account or log out.
2016-11-16T13:49:03.000Z

Efficacy of maintenance rituximab post-R-CHOP questioned in COM/DIS NHL patients

Nov 16, 2016
Share:

Bookmark this article

In a recently published letter to the editor of Haematologica, Roopesh Kansara, from the British Columbia Cancer Agency, Canada, and colleagues reported the results of a retrospective study of the use of maintenance rituximab (MR) in newly diagnosed Non-Hodgkin Lymphoma (NHL) patients. The authors set out to understand the optimal treatment of Composite (COM) and Discordant (DIS) NHL patients, as typically they are excluded from published trials. Data used was from 43 patients treated for COM/DIS NHL with R-CHOP before the treatment policy changed in 2006, and 55 patients treated with R-CHOP followed by MR after 2006.

Highlights:

  • COM = 59% (58pts), DIS = 41% (40pts)
  • MR dose post R-CHOP: 375 mg/m2 every 3 months for two years (8 doses)
  • COM = 59% (58pts), DIS = 41% (40pts)
  • No statistical differences in outcomes with or without MR
  • PFS HR 0.73, 95% CI: 0.41–1.31, P=0.288. COM P=0.407, DIS P=0.638
  • OS HR 0.95, 95% CI: 0.46–1.95, P=0.889. COM P=0.536, DIS P=0.494

The authors concluded by stating that the addition of MR did not result in improved overall outcomes, or when comparing just COM or DIS patients. They also mentioned some issues with their study including a small sample size, differences in follow-up time, lack of standardized imaging, lack of cytogenetic marker status being captured, and differences in baseline characteristics between groups such as age. Further studies, especially prospective ones, are required to elucidate any benefits of MR following successful R-CHOP treatment in patients with newly diagnosed COM/DIS NHL.

  1. Kansara R. et al. Maintenance rituximab following induction R-CHOP chemotherapy in patients with composite or discordant, indolent and aggressive, B-cell non-Hodgkin lymphomas. Haematologica. 2016 Oct; 101:e411–e414; doi:10.3324/haematol.2016.144550.

Understanding your specialty helps us to deliver the most relevant and engaging content.

Please spare a moment to share yours.

Please select or type your specialty

  Thank you

Newsletter

Subscribe to get the best content related to lymphoma & CLL delivered to your inbox