Alexander S, Aupérin A, Bomken S, Csóka M, Kazanowska B, Chiang AK, Andres M, Uyttebroeck A, Burke GAA, Zsiros J, Pillon M, Bollard CM, Mussolin L, Verdu-Amoros J, Neven B, Barkauskas DA, Wheatley K, Patte C, Gross TG, Minard-Colin V. Effect of rituximab on immune status in children with mature B-cell non-Hodgkin lymphoma: a prespecified secondary analysis of the Inter-B-NHL Ritux 2010 trial. Lancet Haematol. 2023 Jun;10(6):e445-e457. doi: 10.1016/S2352-3026(23)00062-5. Epub 2023 Apr 21. PubMed PMID: 37094596; PubMed Central PMCID: PMC10350968.
Study ID Citation
Abstract
Survival of children and adolescents with high-risk mature B-cell non-Hodgkin lymphoma (B-NHL) is improved by the addition of rituximab to chemotherapy. The impact of rituximab on immune reconstitution post therapy has not been well described. Herein we report the results of the prespecified, secondary aim of the Inter-B-NHL Ritux study evaluating the immune impacts of the addition of rituximab to intensive chemotherapy. The Inter-B-NHL Ritux 2010 study was an international, randomized, phase 3 trial in children with high-risk, mature B-cell NHL, comparing event free survival between those receiving chemotherapy (chemo) or chemotherapy with rituximab (R-chemo). Measures of immune status were completed at baseline, end of treatment and one year, and yearly thereafter until normalized. The primary endpoints were the rates of low lymphocyte count and immunoglobulin level at one year from the start of therapy. Per protocol analyses compared those randomized to receive R-chemo versus chemo only.