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Updated: Aug 8, 2026
Tumor Engraftment in a Xenograft Mouse Model of Human Mantle Cell Lymphoma
Published on: March 30, 2018
Complete and durable remission of refractory mantle cell lymphoma with repeated rituximab monotherapy
Ken Ishiyama1, Akiyoshi Takami, Hirokazu Okumura
1Cellular Transplantation Biology, Division of Cancer Medicine, Kanazawa University Graduate School of Medical Science, Kanazawa, Ishikawa 920-8641, Japan.
Insights
Mantle cell lymphoma (MCL) can be challenging to treat. A patient with stage IV MCL achieved complete remission with rituximab monotherapy after failing initial chemotherapy regimens.
Area of Science:
- Hematology
- Oncology
- Immunology
Background:
- Mantle cell lymphoma (MCL) is an aggressive non-Hodgkin lymphoma.
- Treatment resistance is a significant challenge in managing advanced MCL.
- CD20+CD5+CD23- cells and cyclin D1 positivity indicate MCL.
Observation:
- A 53-year-old male presented with general fatigue and bone marrow infiltration consistent with stage IV MCL.
- Initial chemotherapy regimens (CyclOBEAP and fludarabine-cyclophosphamide) provided only transient responses.
- Persistent bone marrow hypoplasia complicated treatment decisions.
Findings:
- Monotherapy with rituximab (375 mg/m2) was initiated due to treatment failure and hypoplasia.
- Rituximab treatment led to gradual improvement in pancytopenia.
- Complete remission was achieved after 4 cycles of rituximab, sustained for 21 months post-maintenance therapy.
Implications:
- Rituximab monotherapy can be an effective treatment option for relapsed/refractory MCL.
- This case highlights the potential of targeted immunotherapy in advanced MCL.
- Further research into rituximab's role in MCL management is warranted.
Abstract:
We encountered a 53-year-old man with general fatigue. Bone marrow investigations revealed an infiltration of CD20+CD5+CD23- cells and the presence of cyclin D1 lymphoid cells, leading to a diagnosis of mantle cell lymphoma, clinical stage IV. The first 2 lines of chemotherapy, CyclOBEAP (cyclophosphamide, vincristine, bleomycin, etoposide, doxorubicin, and prednisolone) and fludarabine-cyclophosphamide, produced only a transient decrease in serum lactic dehydrogenase levels, without a clinical remission. Because of the persistence of bone marrow hypoplasia, monotherapy with 375 mg/m2 rituximab was administered. The pancytopenia gradually improved, and a complete remission was obtained after 4 cycles of rituximab. The patient remains in complete remission 21 months after the third rituximab therapy for maintenance.
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