Key result
Rituximab linked to severe delayed cardiac dysfunction with elevated TGF-beta in lymphoma.
Why the study?
Reduced cardiac function after rituximab treatment in non-Hodgkin's lymphoma patients occurs without preceding infusion reactions and its mechanism is unclear.
Case Report (n=3)
May warrant cardiac surveillance in rituximab-treated lymphoma; leaves open causal confirmation and monitoring trials.
We report 3 cases of reduced cardiac function with complications in non-Hodgkin's lymphoma patients who were treated with rituximab. Patients experienced reduced cardiac functions after the administration of rituximab; there was no evidence of any preceding infusion reactions. Reticulin fiber was observed diffusely in cardiac muscles. Transforming growth factor-beta levels were elevated after the administration of rituximab. We believe that continuous elevation of transforming growth factor-beta may promote the growth of reticulin fiber in cardiac muscles. Reduction in cardiac functions is a severe complication that must be considered when rituximab is administered.
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Kanamori et al. (2006) conducted a case report in Non-Hodgkin's lymphoma (n=3). Rituximab was evaluated. Rituximab treatment in patients with non-Hodgkin's lymphoma was associated with a severe, delayed reduction in cardiac function linked to elevated transforming growth factor-beta.
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