Rapid infusion of rituximab with or without steroid-containing chemotherapy: 1-yr experience in a single institution

Authors: Salar, Antonio; Casao, Dolors; Cervera, Marta; Pedro, Carmen; Calafell, Montserrat; Abella, Eugenia; Alvarez-Larrán, Alberto; Besses, Carlos

Source: European Journal of Haematology, Volume 77, Number 4, October 2006 , pp. 338-340(3)

Publisher: Wiley-Blackwell

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Abstract:

Salar A, Casao D, Cervera M, Pedro C, Calafell M, Abella E, Alvarez-Larrán A, Besses C. Rapid infusion of rituximab with or without steroid-containing chemotherapy: 1-yr experience in a single institution. Abstract:

We assessed the feasibility of a rapid infusion of rituximab with or without steroid-containing chemotherapy. Inclusion criteria: previous infusion of rituximab without grade 3 or 4 toxicity, lymphoid cells <5 × 10⁹/L and rituximab dose of 375 mg/m². Seventy patients were treated with a total of 319 rapid rituximab infusions [126 (40%) with and 193 (60%) without steroids]. Overall, rapid infusion of rituximab was well tolerated - there were no grade 3 or 4 adverse events. Only, three patients developed symptoms, all grade 1. In conclusion, rituximab administration in a 90-min infusion schedule is well tolerated and safe, both in patients who are administered steroids and in patients who are not.

Keywords: rituximab; lymphoma; drug administration; monoclonal antibody

Document Type: Research article

DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.1111/j.1600-0609.2006.00713.x

Publication date: 2006-10-01