No abstract

A patient with advanced and chemotherapy-refractory nodal marginal zone B-cell lymphoma was given a course of chimeric CD 20 monoclonal antibody Rituximab. Partial response was observed without any major toxicities. Retreatment with Rituximab for disease progression six months after the first course led to partial remission. Adjuvant radiotherapy was given for the residual disease and, currently, patient's disease remains stable eight months after the second course of Rituximab. This case demonstrates the therapeutic efficacy and feasibility of retreatment with Rituximab for relapsed or refractory low grade lymphoma.

30 adult patients with acute promyelocytic leukemia (APL) were seen at our institution overthe past 7 years. Their white cell count at presentation ranged from 400/microl to 54,900/microl. Cytogenetic studies were successful in 28 patients, of which 26(93%) were positive for t(15;17). Molecular analysis by reverse-transcription polymerase chain reaction demonstrated the PML-RARalpha fusion transcript in all 30 patients. The majority of patients had breakpoints at the 3' end with bcr1 products predominating. Complete remission rate of 92% was achieved using all-trans retinoic acid and anthracycline as induction chemotherapy in 26 patients. Of these, retinoic acid syndrome was observed in 4 cases, with 1 fatality. In conclusion, APL is a distinct entity with a highly specific molecular marker - t(15;17) translocation - that can be successfully induced into remission with all-trans retinoic acid and anthracycline in most patients.