[Clinical trial of the monoclonal antibody drug mabthera (Rituximab) in the treatment of non-Hodgkin lymphoma].

Mabthera has been tested for its influence on relapsing and refractory low-grade non-Hodgkin's lymphoma in a comparative study using monotherapy (R) or in conjunction with CHOP (R-CHOP) chemotherapy. Out of 33 in-patients, effect was evaluated in 31 (rituximab monotherapy--16, R-CHOP--31). MabThera monochemotherapy proved effective in 62% of those who had received several other regimes, R-CHOP-74%. Both regimens were followed by long (ca.12 months) stable remissions. No difference in complete and partial remission duration was reported, whereas complete remission ranged 6-13 months, partial--2-24 months. Clinically significant results were 87.5% in the monotherapy group, and 87%--R-CHOP. No correlation was found between the efficacy of both regimens, on the one hand, and morphological patterns of lymphoma, on the other. CHOP chemotherapy had been given to 7 out of 15 patients treated with R-CHOP. Four of them had partial remission thus suggesting a modulating effect of rituximab on the resistance of previous treatment. R-CHOP was well tolerated by all patients, irrespective of age, did not contribute to untoward side-effects and assured longer remission.