|
Primary mediastinal large B-cell lymphoma: a retrospective analysis of rituximab and CHOP chemotherapy
1 Southern Ohio Medical Center, Portsmouth, OH; 2 Lenox Hill Hospital, New York, NY; and 3 Our Lady of Mercy Hospital, Bronx, NY
Primary mediastinal large B-cell lymphoma (PMBCL) is a recognized subtype of diffuse large B-cell lymphoma (DLBCL) with distinct clinical, pathologic, and molecular features. The therapeutic approach to PMBCL has traditionally paralleled that of DLBCL, consisting of anthracycline-based regimens with or without radiation therapy. A standard therapeutic approach for PMBCL has not been established and remains controversial. In recent years, the utilization of rituximab has expanded beyond its initially approved use for low-grade lymphoma. Several studies have demonstrated an outcome improvement with the addition of rituximab to the standard regimens in the treatment of DLBCL. Although rituximab is commonly used in the community as part of the initial treatment of PMBCL, outcome benefit has not as of yet been established. In this retrospective analysis, we report the outcomes of 10 patients with PMBCL treated in our institution and affiliated offices with rituximab and CHOP chemotherapy from 2000 to 2003. With a median follow-up of 20 months, all patients remain in complete remission. The addition of rituximab to CHOP chemotherapy for PMBCL might result in improved initial responses when compared with traditionally reported data, although the exact nature of this improvement and potential long-term outcome benefit remain to be elucidated in larger series and prospective studies.
| Commun Oncol 2007;4:673–677 | full text |  97 kb |