Rituximab combined with CHOP for successful treatment of aggressive recurrent, pediatric B-cell large cell non-Hodgkin's lymphoma

This report is the first to describe the successful treatment of a 14-year-old boy with aggressive recurrent, CD20-positive, B-cell large cell non-Hodgkin's lymphoma. The patient responded to three 4-week courses of rituximab (MabThera) given every 6 months and six cycles of CHOP given every 3 weeks in addition to a modified BFM 86 protocol. Transient neutropenia and lymphopenia occurred but with no clinical significance. The boy has been disease-free for the last 48 months (after 64 months of follow-up); his organ functions are normal. Rituximab and CHOP in addition to chemotherapy may be an alternative treatment for aggressive recurrent, pediatric CD20-positive B-cell large cell non-Hodgkin's lymphoma if highly intensive chemotherapy and stem cell transplantation are not available.