The purpose of this study is to determine if we can prevent Epstein Barr Virus lymphomas by the monthly administration of an (antibody) protein against B lymphocytes called Rituximab. Although this medicine has been approved by the Food and Drug Administration to treat patients with other types of lymphomas, and has been used to treat a small number of patients with EBV lymphomas and other types of B-cell leukemias, it has not been approved to try and prevent EBV-lymphomas. Use of Rituximab to try to prevent EBV-lymphomas is therefore experimental.
Study Type
INTERVENTIONAL
Allocation
NA
Purpose
TREATMENT
Masking
NONE
Enrollment
26
Rituximab 375 mg/m\^2 starting approximately 1 month post transplant (no later than day 45), and continuing monthly until the CD4 cell count is \> 200 cells/ul or a maximum of 6 doses have been given.
Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center
New York, New York, United States
Safety of Rituximab Prophylaxis
The following stopping rules will be employed to determine that the risks of graft failure, severe GvHD, treatment-related mortality, infection, and EBV-LPD in study patients are not increased over expected. In addition, patients will be removed from study if they develop irreversible non-hematologic Grade III toxicity or any Grade IV toxicity felt to be related or possibly related to study drug.
Time frame: 3 months post transplant
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