Absolute lymphocyte count predicts response to rituximab-containing salvage treatment for relapsed/refractory B-cell non-Hodgkin's lymphoma with prior rituximab exposure

Man Hsin Hung, Yuan Bin Yu, Liang Tsai Hsiao, Ying Chung Hong, Jin Hwang Liu, Jyh Pyng Gau, Tzeon Jye Chiou, Po Min Chen, Cheng Hwai Tzeng, Chun Yu Liu

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

2 Citations (Scopus)

Abstract

Background: Rituximab-containing salvage chemotherapy has shown promising efficacy in patients with relapsed/refractory B-cell non-Hodgkin's lymphoma (NHL). The aim of this study was to examine the efficacy of rituximab-containing treatment in patients with B-cell NHL who developed relapsed or refractory disease after prior rituximab use and to explore the predictive factors of response using this approach. Methods: Patients with relapsed/refractory B-cell NHL who received rituximab-containing salvage treatment after failing first-line rituximab-combining chemotherapy were enrolled in this retrospective study. The characteristics of the patients were collected and analyzed. Logistic regression analysis was used for determining predictive factors of response to rituximab-containing salvage treatment. Results: A total of 68 patients were enrolled in this study and the overall response rate to rituximab-containing salvage treatment was 61.7%. The median event-free survival and overall survival with rituximab-containing salvage treatment was 11.3 and 21.73 months, respectively. Results of a multivariate analysis showed high absolute lymphocyte count at the time of rituximab-containing salvage treatment [(ALC-R), ALC-R ≥ 1000/UL, p = 0.003)], which was the only independent factor predicting response to rituximab-containing salvage treatment. Conclusion: Our study results show that for patients with relapsed/refractory B-cell NHL, rituximab-containing salvage treatment is feasible and generally tolerable. A high ALC-R value was significantly associated with a better response to this treatment.

Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)195-200
Number of pages6
JournalJournal of the Chinese Medical Association
Volume76
Issue number4
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - Apr 2013
Externally publishedYes

Keywords

  • Absolute lymphocyte count
  • Non-Hodgkin's lymphoma
  • Response
  • Rituximab
  • Salvage treatment

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • Medicine(all)

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