Phase 1/2 study of fractionated 131I-rituximab in low-grade B-cell lymphoma: the effect of prior rituximab dosing and tumor burden on subsequent radioimmunotherapy

The effect of induction therapy with multiple doses of rituximab on the subsequent efficacy and toxicity of anti-CD20 radioimmunotherapy is unknown. We evaluated a novel protocol using 4 weekly infusions of 375 mg/m2 rituximab followed by 2 fractions of 131I-rituximab, preceded by a 100-mg/m2 predose of rituximab, in relapsed indolent B-cell lymphoma. Induction therapy with rituximab significantly increased the effective half-life of 131I-rituximab (P = .003) and high serum levels of rituximab after induction therapy correlated with increased effective half-life of the radioimmunoconjugate (P = .009). Patients with large tumor burdens experienced significant increases in the effective half-life of 131I-rituximab between delivery of the first and second fractions (P = .007). Induction therapy with multiple doses of rituximab did not appear to compromise the clinical efficacy or increase toxicity of subsequent 131I-rituximab radioimmunotherapy. The overall response rate was 94%, with complete response rate 50%. The median time to progression was 20 months, significantly longer than for the last qualifying chemotherapy (P = .001). Fractionation of 131I-rituximab allowed cumulative whole-body doses of more than 120 cGy, approximately 60% greater than those previously achieved with a single administration of a murine radioimmunconjugate, to be delivered without significant hematologic toxicity.