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Rituximab in CD20 positive multiple myeloma

Leukemia volume 21, pages 835–836 (2007)Cite this article

Multiple myeloma (MM) is a very heterogeneous disease, related in part to numerous chromosomal abnormalities.1 We and others have shown that plasma cells of patients with t(11;14)(q13;q32) (representing approximately 15% of the patients with MM1) were mature, with a small nucleus, clumped chromatic and reduced cytoplasm.2, 3 Moreover, we have also described a strong association between both small mature plasma cell morphology, t(11;14) and CD20 expression.4 Other data had previously suggested that the CD20 phenotype was associated with mature plasma cell morphology.5

In the subset of patients with MM-expressing CD20, rituximab (anti-CD20 chimeric monoclonal antibody) could target the antigen and could have a clinical impact. Until now, only two phase II trial have been reported to determine the activity of rituximab in MM patients, with 1 patient out of 19 experiencing a partial response after therapy in the first one,6 and no response in a cohort of 10 patients with pretreated advanced MM in the second one.7 Nevertheless, in theses two series, patients were not selected according to the level of CD20 expression on plasma cells, and the majority of the patients were not expressing this phenotype at the time of therapy.

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Acknowledgements

This study was supported by Roche Pharmaceuticals, Neuilly-sur-Seine, France.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Hematology Department, University Hospital Hôtel-Dieu, Nantes, France

    P Moreau & J L Harousseau

  2. Hematology Department, University Hospital Jean Minjoz, Besan, ç, on, France

    L Voillat

  3. Hematology Department, University Hospital Bretonneau, Tours, France

    L Benboukher

  4. Hematology Laboratory, Institut Curie, Paris, France

    C Mathiot

  5. Hematology Department, University Hospital Lyon Sud, Pierre Bénite, France

    C Dumontet

  6. Hematology Laboratory, University Hospital Hôtel-Dieu, Nantes, France

    N Robillard, R Garand & H Avet-Loiseau

  7. Hematology Laboratory, University Hospital Bretonneau, Tours, France

    O Hérault

  8. Hematology Laboratory, University Hospital Jean Minjoz, Besan, ç, on, France

    F Garnache

  9. Laboratoire Roche, Bd du Parc, Neuilly-sur-Seine, France

    N Varoqueaux

  10. Centre Gauducheau, Hôpital Nord, Saint-Herblain, France. E-mail: philippe.moreau@chu-nantes.fr,

    R Bataille

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  1. P Moreau
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Moreau, P., Voillat, L., Benboukher, L. et al. Rituximab in CD20 positive multiple myeloma. Leukemia 21, 835–836 (2007). https://doi.org/10.1038/sj.leu.2404558

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