Radioimmunotherapy with 131I-rituximab for patients with relapsed or refractory follicular or mantle cell lymphoma

Abstract

Aim: This study aimed to evaluate the safety and efficacy of 131I-rituximab in patients with relapsed or refractory follicular or mantle cell lymphoma. Methods: Twenty-four patients with relapsed or refractory follicular or mantle cell lymphoma were administered unlabeled rituximab (70 mg) immediately before receiving a therapeutic dose of 131I-rituximab. Contrast-enhanced 18F-fluorodeoxyglucose positron emission tomography/computed tomography was used a month later to assess tumor response. Results: This study enrolled 24 patients between June 2012 and 2022. Depending on how they responded to radioimmunotherapy (RIT), 131I-rituximab was administered one to five times. Of the 24 patients, 9 achieved complete response after RIT and 8 achieved partial response. The median progression-free and overall survival was 5.9 and 37.9 months, respectively. During the follow-up period of 64.2 months, three patients were diagnosed with a secondary malignancy. Among treatment-related adverse events, hematologic toxicities were common, and grade 3–4 thrombocytopenia and neutropenia were reported in 66.6% of cases. Conclusion: 131I-rituximab has an effective and favorable safety profile in patients with relapsed or refractory follicular lymphoma and mantle cell lymphoma. This suggests that RIT may also be considered a treatment option for patients with relapsed or refractory follicular lymphoma and mantle cell lymphoma.