The Effect of Rituximab, Cyclophosphamide, Vincristine, and Prednisolone (R-CVP) Chemotherapy in Patients with Ocular Adnexal Extranodal Marginal Zone B Cell Lymphoma of the Mucosa-Associated Lymphoid Tissue (MALT) Lymphoma

ABSTRACT

PURPOSE: To report the effectiveness of rituximab, cyclophosphamide, vincristine, and prednisolone (R-CVP) combination chemotherapy in patients with ocular adnexal mucosa-associated lymphoid tissue (MALT) lymphoma (OAML). METHODS: R-CVP chemotherapy was performed in 7 patients (8 eyes) with a confirmed histopathological diagnosis of OAML from January 2012 to December 2012. A total of 6 cycles were administered at a 3-4 week interval and 2 cycles of rituximab were added at the third week. Response evaluation was performed 3 times, with the first evaluation 3 weeks after the third cycle, the second 3 weeks after the sixth cycle, and the last after the second rituximab cycle. RESULTS: In all 7 patients (8 eyes) with R-CVP, symptoms were improved, and the mass was markedly resolved based on orbit CT and MRI scan at first response evaluation. Clinically complete remission (CR) was achieved in 6 patients and partial response (PR) in 1 patient. At final response assessment, there was no detectable mass on orbit CT or MRI. There were no severe infections or hematologic adverse effects including neutropenia or decreased immunoglobulin during the follow-up period. CONCLUSIONS: In OAML, R-CVP combination chemotherapy is considered an effective, safe and important therapeutic approach, reducing the limitations of classic localized radiotherapy and combination chemotherapy and improving the remission rate.