Rituximab as Monotherapy and in Addition to Reduced CHOP in Children With Primary Immunodeficiency and Non-Hodgkin Lymphoma

Children with primary immunodeficiency or chromosomal breakage syndromes are at increased risk of developing non-Hodgkin lymphomas; they cannot tolerate standard chemotherapy regimens. We report two children with diffuse, large, B-cell lymphoma; one had ataxia telangiectasia and one had common variable immunodeficiency. Both were given rituximab, 1 as monotherapy and 1 in combination with a reduced CHOP regimen, Complete remission was obtained in each patient. Use of rituximab as a first-line monotherapy or in Conjunction with reduced chemotherapy should be considered to reduce cytotoxic effects. Pediatr Blood Cancer 2009;52:664-666. (C) 2009 Wiley-Liss, Inc.