Repeat treatment with iodine-131-rituximab is safe and effective in patients with relapsed indolent B-cell non-Hodgkin's lymphoma who had previously responded to iodine-131-rituximab

Abstract

Background: Small series suggest retreatment of indolent lymphomas with murine anti-CD20 radioimmunotherapy is effective. The longer half-life of iodine-131 (131I)-rituximab may result in increased bone marrow exposure, with greater toxicity on repeat administration. We examined the effects of a second 131I-rituximab in patients with indolent lymphoma following relapse. Patients and methods: We analyzed two institutional databases from January 2000 to July 2007 for retreatment with 131I- rituximab. The severity of cytopenia, development of myelodysplasia (MDS), acute myeloid leukemia (AML) and hypothyroidism was noted. We compared response duration and toxicity of the treatments. Results: Fo..