Abstract
After bone marrow transplantation (BMT) using T-cell-depleted marrow from an unrelated donor or HLA-mismatched related donor, the risk of developing lymphoproliferative disease associated with the Epstein-Barr virus (EBV) ranges from 1% to 25%. We have shown that administration of donor-derived EBV-specific cytotoxic T lymphocytes (CTL) is effective prophylaxis and treatment for this complication, and we routinely generate CTL for high-risk patients. However, EBV lymphoma can occur in recipients of matched-sibling transplants for whom CTL are unavailable or in patients for whom CTL administration is contraindicated. We report on 3 such patients, who were successfully and safely treated with rituximab, a CD20 monoclonal antibody. The patients remain disease free 7, 8, and 9 months, respectively, after therapy. We conclude that CD20 antibody may be a useful alternative treatment strategy in patients with EBV lymphoma after BMT. (Blood. 2000;95:1502-1505)
Publication types
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Case Reports
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Research Support, U.S. Gov't, P.H.S.
MeSH terms
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Adolescent
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Antibodies, Monoclonal / therapeutic use*
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Antibodies, Monoclonal, Murine-Derived
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Antigens, CD20 / immunology
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Antineoplastic Agents / therapeutic use*
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Bone Marrow Transplantation
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Child, Preschool
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Disease-Free Survival
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Hematopoietic Stem Cell Transplantation*
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Herpesvirus 4, Human* / isolation & purification
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Humans
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Immunophenotyping
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Leukemia, Myelogenous, Chronic, BCR-ABL Positive / drug therapy
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Leukemia, Myelogenous, Chronic, BCR-ABL Positive / therapy*
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Leukemia, Myeloid, Acute / drug therapy
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Leukemia, Myeloid, Acute / therapy*
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Lymphocytes / immunology
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Lymphoma / drug therapy
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Lymphoma / therapy*
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Male
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Precursor Cell Lymphoblastic Leukemia-Lymphoma / drug therapy
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Precursor Cell Lymphoblastic Leukemia-Lymphoma / therapy*
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Rituximab
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Time Factors
Substances
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Antibodies, Monoclonal
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Antibodies, Monoclonal, Murine-Derived
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Antigens, CD20
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Antineoplastic Agents
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Rituximab