{"database":"biostudies-literature","file_versions":[],"scores":null,"additional":{"omics_type":["Unknown"],"volume":["9(10)"],"submitter":["Mawalla WF"],"pubmed_abstract":["<h4>Abstract</h4>The addition of rituximab to the chemotherapy backbone was shown to significantly improve outcomes of children with aggressive high-grade lymphomas in high-income countries. However, data on its safety and efficacy in children with Epstein-Barr virus (EBV)-positive Burkitt lymphoma (BL) are limited. We conducted a prospective nonrandomized observational study in East African patients aged ≤25 years with confirmed BL. Patients received either the International Network for Cancer Treatment and Research (INCTR)-based standard chemotherapy (cyclophosphamide, vincristine, and methotrexate [COM]) or rituximab plus standard chemotherapy (R-COM). The primary end point was safety. The secondary outcomes were event-free and overall survival and cost-effectiveness of incorporating rituximab. Primary analyses were conducted in the intention-to-treat population. The median follow-up was 23 months. Safety analyses included 72 patients: 32 in the COM group and 40 in the R-COM group. Grade ≥3 adverse events occurred in 18% of R-COM patients and 16% of COM patients. With respect to treatment outcomes at 12 months, 5 events were observed in the R-COM group and 14 in the COM group. The 12-month event-free survival was 67% with R-COM and 43% with COM (hazard ratio [HR], 0.49; 95% confidence interval [CI], 0.24-0.98; P = .045). There were 8 deaths in the R-COM group, whereas 16 patients died in the COM group (HR, 0.32; 95% CI, 0.14-0.75; P = .009). R-COM was particularly effective in advanced-stage disease. The addition of rituximab to the INCTR-based protocol (COM) for EBV-positive BL has been observed to be safe and feasible in experienced centers in East Africa and saves lives."],"journal":["Blood advances"],"pagination":["2393-2401"],"full_dataset_link":["https://www.ebi.ac.uk/biostudies/studies/S-EPMC12141908"],"repository":["biostudies-literature"],"pubmed_title":["Rituximab for children with EBV-positive Burkitt lymphoma in East Africa."],"pmcid":["PMC12141908"],"pubmed_authors":["Chirande L","Sandi G","Aol PM","Morrell L","Lyamuya PG","Schuh A","Vavoulis D","Mahawi S","Otim I","Schroeder K","Ntemi P","Nabalende H","Legason ID","Kamanga JP","Mkwizu E","Chamba C","Mawalla WF","Ogwang MD","Achola C","Mwamtemi H"],"additional_accession":[]},"is_claimable":false,"name":"Rituximab for children with EBV-positive Burkitt lymphoma in East Africa.","description":"<h4>Abstract</h4>The addition of rituximab to the chemotherapy backbone was shown to significantly improve outcomes of children with aggressive high-grade lymphomas in high-income countries. However, data on its safety and efficacy in children with Epstein-Barr virus (EBV)-positive Burkitt lymphoma (BL) are limited. We conducted a prospective nonrandomized observational study in East African patients aged ≤25 years with confirmed BL. Patients received either the International Network for Cancer Treatment and Research (INCTR)-based standard chemotherapy (cyclophosphamide, vincristine, and methotrexate [COM]) or rituximab plus standard chemotherapy (R-COM). The primary end point was safety. The secondary outcomes were event-free and overall survival and cost-effectiveness of incorporating rituximab. Primary analyses were conducted in the intention-to-treat population. The median follow-up was 23 months. Safety analyses included 72 patients: 32 in the COM group and 40 in the R-COM group. Grade ≥3 adverse events occurred in 18% of R-COM patients and 16% of COM patients. With respect to treatment outcomes at 12 months, 5 events were observed in the R-COM group and 14 in the COM group. The 12-month event-free survival was 67% with R-COM and 43% with COM (hazard ratio [HR], 0.49; 95% confidence interval [CI], 0.24-0.98; P = .045). There were 8 deaths in the R-COM group, whereas 16 patients died in the COM group (HR, 0.32; 95% CI, 0.14-0.75; P = .009). R-COM was particularly effective in advanced-stage disease. The addition of rituximab to the INCTR-based protocol (COM) for EBV-positive BL has been observed to be safe and feasible in experienced centers in East Africa and saves lives.","dates":{"release":"2025-01-01T00:00:00Z","publication":"2025 May","modification":"2026-06-06T13:35:07.543Z","creation":"2026-05-31T03:07:59.19Z"},"accession":"S-EPMC12141908","cross_references":{"pubmed":["39983056"],"doi":["10.1182/bloodadvances.2024015234"]}}