In this trial of 65 patients, administering post-transplant rituximab (375 mg/m2 IV) at 3, 6, 9, and 12 months after transplantation resulted in significantly lower two-year cumulative incidence of systemic corticosteroid-requiring chronic graft-versus-host disease (GVHD) compared to a concurrent control group: 31% vs. 48.5% respectively (p=0.015). At four years post transplant, treatment-related mortality was significantly lower in rituximab patients compared to controls: 5% vs. 19%, respectively (p=0.02). Four-year survival was also superior: 71% vs. 56%, respectively (p=0.05).
Post-HCT Rituximab Prophylaxis Can Reduce Chronic GVHD
Sep 2013