Rytuxan

I had cancer and went through chemo and radiation Gone for about 2years. Came back and received 4 treatments of Rytuxan. Now my Oncologist wants me to take 3 more treatments of rytuxan sort of a booster program. Has any one out there ever heard of someone going through this or heard anything like this Thanks for any response

I am a 9 year fNHL survivor. I received 2 courses of Rituxan 9 months apart (6 then 3) back in 1999. The remission lasted for over 5 years. Last month, I relapsed with grade 1 in one location and my oncologist is recommending 4 courses over 2 years 6 months apart. The re-treatment seems to work, see http://www.cancercompass.com/cancer-news/1,9079,00.htm

Johnny E.
Rituxan is passive immunotherapy which attacks abnormal and normal b cells and normally given as Rituxan x 4
viz 4 x infusions one each week for a month.

There is a lot of talk about maintenance Rituxan given at fixed intervals say every 3, 4,6, months.
viz one infusion every 3,4,6 months
It would appear 6 months may be best but it depends on clinical need and blood test results Hgb and Igm
paraprotein.
I am a veteran of 20 years with LGNHL specifically Lymphoplasmacytic lymphoma/Waldenstroms and helped pioneer Rituxan 5 years ago at UCL in London.

I've had 3 x cycles of Rituxan x 4 over the last 5 years with remissions of 2.25 years and 3 years
I am UK lifeline support and if you require any further advise please post.There are more magic bullets in the pipeline viz Hu-Max Phase 2 trial
which may be better than Rituxan by mopping up residual abnormal cells and My Vax active immunotherapy using own cells Phase 3 trials in States ongoing for follicular lymphoma
Best Wishes Mike D

Mike D.-

Read your message regarding "Rituxan Maintenance", but must not be deciphering your abbreviations correctly. I tried searches for "Hu-Max" and "My Vax" and was unsuccessful. Not familar with UK lifeline. Got a partial response to Waldenstrom's with extensive Rituxan treatment, and a complete response with Biaxin, Thalidomide, and Decadron (a nasty brew, but effective). Lasted for 3 years (IgM normal ). IgM has just exceeded normal, rising geometrically. Looking for new information (in simple, layman terms) if you would be so kind. Particularly interested in immunotherapies, vaccines, etc.
Thanks