More frequent dose of Rituxan fails to show benefit

BY MELISSA WEBER | DECEMBER 7, 2009

The standard schedule of giving Rituxan every three weeks, as opposed to every two weeks, is still the best option for older patients with diffuse large B-cell lymphoma, according to research presented today at ASH's annual meeting.

Early analysis of a phase 3 French study found that giving eight cycles of Rituxan plus CHOP chemotherapy every 14 days, compared with the standard of every 21 days, resulted in no clinical benefit for patients. Plus, the more frequent schedule caused more blood-related side effects, requiring more red blood cell and platelet transfusions and a higher number of hospitalizations.

The final analysis of data should be available in 2010, researchers said, but currently, the two-year overall survival stands at 67 percent for patients treated every 14 days compared with 70 percent for patients treated every 21 days.

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COMMENTS

We need more study, of the sort described above, specific to maintenance therapy. We need more visibility of studies and trials ivestigating the scheduling of Rituximab infusions in maintenance. Certainly the weekly times four every six months is not the only, and probably not be the optimum, way to go. Where are we on this?

Side point; Calculating dosage from body surface area? Unless you would paint it on my surface, it should be based on the amount of me to be treated, ie, weight.
- Posted by Paul Letourneau 1/20/10 11:48 AM

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