A Phase 2 Study of Concurrent Fludarabine and Rituximab for the Treatment of Marginal Zone Lymphomas

摘要: The marginal zone lymphomas (MZLs) are a recently defined group of related diseases that probably arise from common cell origin, the B cell. Data on therapy for subtypes other than gastric mucosa-associated lymphoid tissue (MALT) lymphoma has been largely limited to retrospective case series. This prospective phase 2 study fludarabine and rituximab treatment enrolled 26 patients, 14 with nodal MZL, eight MALT four splenic MZL; 81% were receiving initial systemic therapy. Only 58% [95% confidence interval (CI) 37-77%] patients completed planned six cycles, due significant haematological, infectious allergic toxicity. Four late toxic deaths occurred infections [15% (95% CI 4.3-35%)], two delayed bone marrow aplasia myelodysplastic syndrome. Nonetheless, overall response rate was 85% 65-96%), 54% complete responses. progression-free survival at 3.1 years follow-up is 79.5% 63-96%). We conclude that, although concurrent given this dose schedule highly effective regimen in MZLs, haematological toxicity observed both during after prohibitive patient population, emphasizing need MZLs as separate entity.