Rituximab for splenic marginal zone lymphoma – pro
Splenic marginal zone lymphoma is a relatively new subcategory of non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma that was previously included in the category of splenic B-cell lymphoma. It is CD-20 postive and would be expected torespond to Rituxan, It is a low grade lymphoma and included in the “low grade” category and timing of intervention is similar to patients with chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL).
A recent study reported effectiveness in a low number of patients but these are relatively rare diseases. This observation would also be consistent with the treatment of other low-grade NHL entities such as follicular lymphoma.NCCN recommends that it be treated like low-grade follicular lymphoma for which NCCN does list Rituximab.
Tsimberidou AM, Catovsky D, Schlette E, et al. Outcomes of patients with splenic marginal zone lymphoma and marginal zone lymphoma treated with rituximab with or without chemotherapy or chemotherapy alone. Cancer . 2006;107:125-135.
- National Institute for Health and Clinical Excellence (NICE). Rituximab for the treatment of follicular lymphoma. London (UK): National Institute for Health and Clinical Excellence (NICE); 2006 Sep. 20 p. (Technology appraisal guidance; no. 110).
nccn.org, non-hodgkin’s lymphoma