Successful treatment of mediastinal lymphomatoid granulomatosis with rituximab monotherapy

Eur J Haematol. 2005 Mar;74(3):263-6. doi: 10.1111/j.1600-0609.2004.00367.x.

Abstract

Lymphomatoid granulomatosis is a rare Epstein-Barr virus (EBV)-positive-B-cell lymphoproliferative disorder. Treatment options include corticosteroids, antiviral therapy, interferon-alpha and chemotherapy. However, long-term prognosis is poor and no therapeutic standard has been established yet. In a 21-year-old woman, a biopsy of mediastinal mass revealed lymphomatoid granulomatosis. Combined therapy with valganciclovir and interferon-alpha proved ineffective. In view of the CD20 expression of the tumor cells, monotherapy with rituximab was intiated. After 3 months a complete remission was achieved. Rituximab was continued for another 6 months with subsequent consolidation radiotherapy. This is the first report of an enduring complete remission (20 months) of a non-CNS lymphomatoid granulomatosis treated with rituximab.

Publication types

  • Case Reports

MeSH terms

  • Adult
  • Antibodies, Monoclonal / therapeutic use*
  • Antibodies, Monoclonal, Murine-Derived
  • Disease-Free Survival
  • Female
  • Humans
  • Lymphomatoid Granulomatosis / drug therapy*
  • Lymphomatoid Granulomatosis / pathology
  • Magnetic Resonance Imaging
  • Mediastinal Neoplasms / drug therapy
  • Mediastinal Neoplasms / pathology
  • Radiotherapy, Adjuvant
  • Rituximab

Substances

  • Antibodies, Monoclonal
  • Antibodies, Monoclonal, Murine-Derived
  • Rituximab