Weekly rituximab followed by monthly rituximab treatment for steroid-refractory chronic graft-versus-host disease: results from a prospective, multicenter, phase II study.

ABSTRACT:

Background

Since it was suggested that B cells play a role in the pathogenesis of chronic graft-versus-host disease, rituximab, an anti-CD20 monoclonal antibody targeting B cells, has been shown to be effective in steroid-refractory, chronic graft-versus-host disease. However, most of the data were from small numbers of patients or retrospective analyses. We, therefore, conducted a multicenter phase II study to confirm the efficacy of this treatment strategy that targets B cells.

Design and methods

We diagnosed and evaluated chronic graft-versus-host disease according to the National Institute of Health criteria for clinical trials on this condition. The treatment consisted of weekly intravenous infusions of rituximab for 4 weeks followed by monthly rituximab for 4 months. W

SUBMITTER: Kim SJ 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC2966917 | biostudies-literature | 2010 Nov

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature