Chimeric monoclonal anti-CD20 antibody (rituximab) - an effective treatment for a patient with relapsing hairy cell leukaemia

A case story is presented, describing a 46 y old man, with a relapsing hair y cell leukaemia. After treatment with monoclonal anti CD-20 antibodies (ri tuximab) 375 mg/week, four times, a complete remission was obtained which h as lasted >9 months. The rituximab treatment produced a better remission th an earlier treatments with alpha-interferon and chlorodeoxyadenosine. In ad dition, in contrast to other treatments, no initial worsening of the pancyt openia was observed.