Factors affecting toxicity, response and progression-free survival in relapsed patients with indolent B-cell lymphoma and mantle cell lymphoma treated with rituximab: a Japanese phase II study

Abstract
Background The aim of the study was to determine factors affecting the toxicity and efficacy of rituximab monotherapy in relapsed patients with indolent B-cell lymphoma and mantle cell lymphoma (MCL). Patients and methods A total of 90 patients were enrolled and treated with rituximab infusions at 375 mg/m2 once weekly for 4 weeks. Central pathology review revealed that histologically, 81 patients had indolent B-cell lymphoma or MCL: 59 with follicular lymphoma, 17 with MCL, four with marginal zone lymphoma and one with lymphoplasmacytoid lymphoma. Of these, four were ineligible due to violation of other eligibility criteria. Pre-treatment variables affecting toxicities were analyzed for all 90 patients, and those affecting response and progression-free survival (PFS) were analyzed for 77 eligible patients with confirmed indolent B-cell lymphoma or MCL. The relationship between serum rituximab levels and efficacy was also analyzed for 66 eligible patients. Results Hematological toxicities (grade ≥3) occurred more frequently in females (P P P P P Conclusions Several prognostic factors and serum rituximab levels are useful for predicting the toxicity and efficacy of rituximab monotherapy.

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