Phase II window study on rituximab in newly diagnosed pediatric mature B-cell non-Hodgkin lymphoma (NHL)

10000 Background: Pediatric mature B-cell NHL differ from aggressive B-NHL of adults in terms of biology and treatment outcome. In contrast to adults, rituximab (Rx) is not established in the treatment of pediatric B-NHL has not be determined yet. Even the activity of Rx in pediatric B-NHL is not determined. We conducted a phase II window study to examine the activity of Rx in newly diagnosed pediatric B-NHL. Methods: Eligibility: age < 19 y, CD20 + B-NHL, ≥ 1 measurable lesion/s, informed consent. Exclusion: Lansky performance scale 5, pre-treatment, impaired renal-, heart-, liver-function, hepatitis B, pre-existing disease, pregnancy. Treatment: Rx 375 mg/m2 IV at day 1; concomitant therapy: Rasburicase, steroids only for anaphylaxis, intrathecal (IT) triple drug at days 1, 3 for CNS+ pts only. Begin of chemotherapy at day 5. Response evaluation: product of 2 perpendicular diameters of 1 - 3 index lesions/% blasts in BM/PB within 24 h prior to Rx and at day 5: responder (RP): at least 1 lesion with at l...