Anti-CD20 antibodies for primary cutaneous B cell lymphoma. Preliminary results in dermatologic patients

Backround and Objective. Primary cutaneous B cell lymphomas (pCBCL) are rar e extracutaneous non-Hodgkin lymphomas which occur on the trunk as follicle center cell lymphoma or on the leg as large B cell lymphoma. The currently accepted therapy of pCBCL (excision and/or radiotherapy, systemic interleu kin 2 and interferon alpha 2a,local injection of cisplatin or multiagent ch emotherapy i.e. CHOP) is insufficient for treatment of multifocal pCBCL and secondary extracutaneous involvement. For this reason, the new synthetic c himeric, monoclonal anti-CD20 antibody Rituximab (R) is an alternative trea tment for patients with pCBCL. Patients/Methods. Four patients with pCBCL localized to the trunk or head w ere treated with Rituximab (R) (375 mg/kg weekly for 4-8 weeks,then mainten ance therapy every 4 weeks for 6 months). Results. All 4 patients showed a response (2/4 partial; 2/4 complete). Side effects were minimal. Conclusions. Rituximab (R) is an alternative immunotherapeutic drug for the treatment of pCBCL. Our initial experience with this new modality are pres ented and discussed.