Sustained remissions with long-term weekly chlorambucil maintenance therapy in patients with mucosa-associated lymphoid tissue lymphoma.

Five patients with mucosa-associated lymphoid tissue (MALT) lymphoma (Helicobacter pylori negative) were initially treated with daily chlorambucil (Chl, 0.06-0.08 mg/kg per day) and achieved complete remission (n = 4) or partial remission (n = 1). They were then given long-term weekly Chl as maintenance therapy with good results. One patient came off treatment and has remained in continued remission for 44 months. This simple, low-cost, and convenient approach deserves further evaluation in patients with MALT lymphoma and other indolent and incurable lymphoproliferative disorders.