Single agent efficacy of rituximab in childhood immunosuppression related lymphoproliferative disease: a United Kingdom Children's Cancer Study Group (UKCCSG) retrospective review

Abstract

Survival in childhood lymphoproliferative disease (LPD) remains poor, particularly in non-transplant patients. The anti-CD20 antibody rituximab shows promise but data in children is scant. A retrospective study of 22 (aged 11 months to 18 years) children treated with rituximab is presented. Two had primary immunodeficiency, two had prolonged immunosuppression and 18 had post-transplant LPD (eight bone marrow, five liver, four heart, one kidney). Nine patients had multi-organ involvement and 13 single site disease. Seventeen out of 22 had rituximab alone. In 16, a dose of 375 mg/m² i.v. weekly was used (less in one patient due to renal dysfunction). Twelve patients received four courses and ten patients received one to three courses. Fever was the main side-effect in four. Eight (47%) had single agent response; four complete and four partial. All had other treatment prior to rituximab. Median follow-up was 35 months (range 22 – 47 months). In childhood LPD unresponsive to standard treatment, rituximab showed single agent response and requires further evaluation.

Keywords:

• Rituximab
• childhood
• post-transplant
• lymphoproliferative disease
• immunodeficiency