Reduction of tumor burden and stabilization of disease by systemic therapy with anti-CD20 antibody (rituximab) in patients with primary cutaneous B-cell lymphoma.

BACKGROUND

Primary cutaneous B-cell lymphoma (CBCL) is characterized by restriction to the skin, a high incidence of recurrence after various treatment modalities, and a variable but mostly favorable prognosis.

METHODS

Ten patients with long standing primary CBCL (3 with follicular CBCL, 5 with cutaneous, large B-cell lymphoma, 1 with diffuse large cell lymphoma, and 1 with extranodal large cell lymphoma) were treated by intravenous application of a chimeric antibody against the CD20 transmembrane antigen that is present on malignant and normal B-cells. In 6 of 10 patients, several treatment attempts either had failed or could not be used due to severe side effects or underlying disease.

RESULTS

The treatment regimen resulted in two complete regressions, five partial responses, and one mixed response, and two patients did not respond to the treatment. No severe side effects occurred, except for slight pain in the nodules after infusion and an urticarial reaction at the tumor sites. A prolonged, complete disappearance of B-cells from the peripheral blood was observed. The immunoglobulin serum levels and inflammatory markers were unchanged. Histologic examination of biopsies from two regressing tumor nodes showed necrotic tumor cells and infiltration with CD8 positive cells.

CONCLUSIONS

Intravenous therapy with the anti-CD20 antibody rituximab is a nontoxic and effective treatment for patients with primary cutaneous B-cell lymphoma.