Can Rituximab Improve the Outcome of Patients with Nodular Lymphocyte-Predominant Hodgkin's Lymphoma?
Abstract
Background: Nodular lymphocyte-predominant Hodgkin's lymphoma (NLPHL) is a rare subtype of Hodgkin's lymphoma showing strong CD20 expression. The role of rituximab in treating NLPHL still needs clarification.
Methods: We retrospectively reviewed the outcome of 23 patients with NLPHL treated with rituximab alone or in combination with chemotherapy and/or radiotherapy as part of their first-or second-line treatment. Results: The median follow-up of the whole group was 67 months, and all patients remained alive.
Twenty-two patients achieved complete remission after rituximab-based therapy, and one of them relapsed 32 months after treatment. One patient treated with rituximab alone achieved partial remission and progressed 22 months after treatment.
Conclusion: The prognosis of NLPHL is excellent. Rituximab combined with chemotherapy and/or radiotherapy appears to prevent disease progression/relapse. (C) 2015 S.
Karger AG, Basel