Bendamustine Plus Rituximab May Be Safe, Effective for Lymphoma

Bendamustine plus rituximab is safe in Japanese patients with relapsed/refractory indolent B-cell non-Hodgkin lymphomas and mantle cell lymphoma, and is effective for patients with relapsed/refractory indolent B-cell non-Hodgkin lymphomas, a recent study published online early in the International Journal of Hematology has shown.

For the phase II study, researchers sought to evaluate the efficacy and safety of bendamustine and rituximab in Japanese patients with relapsed/refractory indolent B-cell non-Hodgkin lymphomas and mantle cell lymphomas.

Researchers enrolled 53 patients aged 20-79 years with pathologically confirmed B-cell non-Hodgkin lymphomas or mantle cell lymphomas. All patients were relapsed/refractory after receiving one to two rituximab-containing regimens.

All patients received bendamustine 90mg/m2 IV for 2 consecutive days plus rituximab 375mg/m2 IV on day 1, 2, or 3, for up to four 4-week cycles.

Results showed that the best overall response rate was 94% and the complete response rate was 71%. Patients with follicular lymphoma had an overall response rate and complete response rate of 95% and 80%, respectively.

In regard to safety, grade 3-4 leukopenia and neutropenia occurred in 42% and 40% of patients, respectively.

Reference

1. Matsumoto K, Takayama N, Aisa Y, et al. A phase II study of bendamustine plus rituximab in Japanese patients with relapsed or refractory indolent B-cell non-Hodgkin lymphoma and mantle cell lymphoma previously treated with rituximab: BRB study. Int J Hematol. 2015. [Epub ahead of print]. doi: 10.1007/s12185-015-1767-3.