Rituximab (anti-CD20 monoclonal antibody) therapy for progressive intermediate-grade non-Hodgkin's lymphoma after high-dose therapy and autologous peripheral stem cell transplantation

We evaluated the response and toxicity of rituximab in the setting of progr essive intermediate grade non-Hodgkin's lymphoma (NHL) after autologous per ipheral stem cell transplantation (PSCT), Seven patients with a median age of 59 years (45-62), ECOG performance status 0-1, and CD20-positive diffuse large cell lymphoma with progression after PSCT were treated. All patients initially received 4-weekly infusions of rituximab (375 mg/m(2)). The maxi mum response was three CR and four PR. Median progression-free survival was 197 days (range 60-282), With a median follow-up of 204 (115-299) days, th e patients' disease status is classified as two CR, one PR, and four PD, Fo ur of five patients with ECOG performance status of 1 prior to treatment sh owed improvement to status 0 after treatment with rituximab, While follow-u p is short, these results suggest that rituximab has significant activity i n intermediate-grade non-Hodgkin's lymphoma that has relapsed after PSCT.