VcR-CVAD Induction Chemotherapy Followed by Maintenance Rituximab Produces Durable Remissions in Mantle Cell Lymphoma: A Wisconsin Oncology Network Study.

Introduction: VcR-CVAD was developed as an intermediate-intensity induction regimen with maintenance rituximab (MR) to improve remission durations after first-line therapy for mantle cell lymphoma (MCL) in older and younger patients with MCL.

Patients And Methods: Patients with previously untreated MCL received VcR-CVAD induction chemotherapy for 6 cycles (21-day cycles). Patients achieving at least a partial response received rituximab consolidation (375 mg/m × 4 weekly doses) and MR (375 mg/m every 12 weeks × 20 doses).

Maintenance rituximab following induction chemo-immunotherapy for mantle cell lymphoma: long-term follow-up of a pilot study from the Wisconsin Oncology Network.

Mantle cell lymphoma (MCL) is challenging to manage, with a median survival of 3-5 years. While intensive strategies are often appropriate for younger patients, these approaches are often not appropriate for older patients. In 2006, we reported our initial results using modified R-hyperCVAD (rituximab with hyperfractionated cyclophosphamide, vincristine, doxorubicin, and dexamethasone) with maintenance rituximab.

VcR-CVAD induction chemotherapy followed by maintenance rituximab in mantle cell lymphoma: a Wisconsin Oncology Network study.

Intensive chemotherapy regimens are not feasible in many adults with mantle cell lymphoma (MCL). We sought to build upon our previous experience with a non-intensive regimen, modified R-hyperCVAD chemotherapy (rituximab, cyclophosphamide, vincristine, doxorubicin, dexamethasone) with maintenance rituximab (MR), by the incorporation of bortezomib (VcR-CVAD) and the extension of MR beyond 2 years. Patients with previously untreated MCL received VcR-CVAD chemotherapy every 21 d for six cycles.

Rituximab and CHOP chemotherapy plus GM-CSF for previously untreated diffuse large B-cell lymphoma in the elderly: a Wisconsin oncology network study.

Purpose: Human recombinant granulocyte-macrophage colony-stimulating factor (GM-CSF) may potentiate rituximab activity by upregulating CD20 expression and activating effector cells necessary for antibody-dependent cellular cytotoxicity. GM-CSF was combined with standard rituximab + CHOP (cyclophosphamide/doxorubicin/vincristine/prednisone) chemotherapy (R-CHOP) in the treatment of elderly patients with de novo diffuse large B-cell lymphoma (DLBCL).

Patients And Methods: Thirty-eight patients over the age of 60 years with newly diagnosed DLBCL were treated with R-CHOP every 21 days for 6-8 cycles and GM-CSF 250 µg/m2 per day on days 3-10.

Bortezomib-resistant nuclear factor-kappaB activity in multiple myeloma cells.

Bortezomib (Velcade/PS341), a proteasome inhibitor used in the treatment of multiple myeloma (MM), can inhibit activation of nuclear factor-kappaB (NF-kappaB), a family of transcription factors often deregulated and constitutively activated in primary MM cells. NF-kappaB can be activated via several distinct mechanisms, including the proteasome inhibitor-resistant (PIR) pathway. It remains unknown what fraction of primary MM cells harbor constitutive NF-kappaB activity maintained by proteasome-dependent mechanisms.