Anti-CD20 monoclonal antibody (rituximab) for therapy of CD20-positive nodular lymphocyte-predominant Hodgkin lymphoma in an 10-year-old girl

Pediatr Hematol Oncol. 2006 Dec;23(8):661-6. doi: 10.1080/08880010600957259.

Abstract

Biologic treatments including antibody-based therapies are still in early-phase development in Hodgkin lymphoma. The authors present the case of a 10-year-old girl with massive, solid, unilateral cervical, nodular lymphocyte-predominant Hodgkin lymphoma. Chemotherapy (doxorubicin, bleomycin, vinblastine, and dacarbazine [ABVD]) and radiotherapy were given, according to the Italian Association of Pediatric Hematology and Oncology (AIEOP) MH-96 study protocol, but the patient failed to enter complete remission. Soon after, 6 intravenous infusions of the chimeric anti-CD20 monoclonal antibody rituximab 375 mg/m2 were administered, resulting in complete remission. The patients is still in continuous complete remission for 2 years. Novel therapies, such as rituximab, may be useful for children with CD20+ nodular lymphocyte-predominant Hodgkin lymphoma. To the authors' knowledge, this is the first report of CD20+ nodular lymphocyte-predominant Hodgkin lymphoma treated with rituximab in children. Further controlled trials and long-term outcome studies are warranted to define its clinical application and to improve the care of patients.

Publication types

  • Case Reports

MeSH terms

  • Antibodies, Monoclonal / administration & dosage
  • Antibodies, Monoclonal / immunology
  • Antibodies, Monoclonal / therapeutic use*
  • Antibodies, Monoclonal, Murine-Derived
  • Antigens, CD20 / immunology*
  • Antigens, Neoplasm / immunology*
  • Antineoplastic Combined Chemotherapy Protocols / administration & dosage
  • Antineoplastic Combined Chemotherapy Protocols / therapeutic use
  • Bleomycin / administration & dosage
  • Child
  • Combined Modality Therapy
  • Dacarbazine / administration & dosage
  • Doxorubicin / administration & dosage
  • Female
  • Hodgkin Disease / diagnostic imaging
  • Hodgkin Disease / drug therapy*
  • Humans
  • Immunologic Factors / immunology
  • Immunologic Factors / therapeutic use*
  • Remission Induction
  • Rituximab
  • Tomography, X-Ray Computed
  • Vinblastine / administration & dosage

Substances

  • Antibodies, Monoclonal
  • Antibodies, Monoclonal, Murine-Derived
  • Antigens, CD20
  • Antigens, Neoplasm
  • Immunologic Factors
  • Bleomycin
  • Rituximab
  • Vinblastine
  • Dacarbazine
  • Doxorubicin

Supplementary concepts

  • ABVD protocol