Treatment of Waldenström’s Macroglobulinemia With Rituximab

Abstract

Our prospective data indicate that rituximab is well tolerated and active in patients with WM. Previously untreated and pretreated patients seem to benefit equally. Repeat 4-week courses of rituximab may prolong the duration of response of the disease, but this observation requires confirmation in prospective, randomized trials. Furthermore, studies that will combine rituximab with chemotherapy may be relevant.

Patterns of survival in lymphoplasmacytic lymphoma/waldenström macroglobulinemia: A population‐based study of 1,555 patients diagnosed in Sweden from 1980 to 2005

“…The impact of stem cell transplantations on improvement in survival in our study is limited due to the low number of these procedures performed in Sweden during the study period. Recently, the anti-CD20 antibody rituximab has been shown to have single agent activity and induce responses in almost half of WM patients [22]. There are, however, no data from prospective randomized studies to guide the choice between alkylating agents, nucleoside analogs, and rituximab for first line therapy of WM.…”

Diagnosis and Management of Waldenström Macroglobulinemia: Mayo Stratification of Macroglobulinemia and Risk-Adapted Therapy (mSMART) Guidelines

“…[38][39][40] In patients with both treatment-naïve and previously treated Waldenström macroglobulinemia, rituximab has been associated with response rates ranging from 29% to 65%. [40][41][42][43][44] Over time, it has become clear that the best response to rituximab may not be seen for many months after treatment. 43 This may result in an underestimation of the activity of rituximab considering that the response end points in most clinical trials are at earlier time points.…”

Waldenström macroglobulinemia: A review of therapy

“…Overall, 27% achieved a partial response; 33%, a minor response; and 30%, stable disease [56]. Others have reported response rates of 35-44% [57][58][59][60].…”