Maintenance Rituximab is associated with improved clinical outcome in rituximab naïve patients with Waldenstrom Macroglobulinaemia who respond to a rituximab‐containing regimen

Summary This study examined the outcome of 248 Waldenstrom macroglobulinaemia (WM) rituximab‐naïve patients who responded to a rituximab‐containing regimen. Eighty‐six patients (35%) subsequently received maintenance rituximab (M‐Rituximab). No differences in baseline characteristics, and post‐induction categorical responses between cohorts were observed. The median rituximab infusions during induction was 6 for both cohorts; and 8 over a 2‐year period for patients receiving M‐Rituximab. Categorical responses improved in 16/162 (10%) of observed, and 36/86 (41·8%) of M‐Rituximab patients respectively, following induction therapy (P < 0·0001). Both progression‐free (56·3 vs. 28·6 months; P = 0·0001) and overall survival (Not reached versus 116 months; P = 0·0095) were longer in patients who received M‐Rituximab. Improved progression‐free survival was evident despite previous treatment status, induction with rituximab alone or in combination therapy (P ≤ 0·0001). Best serum IgM response was lower (P