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Loss of CD20 expression in relapsed diffuse large B cell lymphoma after rituximab therapy: a case report and review of the literature

  • Published:
The Chinese-German Journal of Clinical Oncology

Abstract

Nowadays, resistance to rituximab has become a major issue in clinical practice. And loss of CD20 may contribute to it. Here we presented a case of loss of CD20 expression in relapsed diffuse large B cell lymphoma treated with rituximab and discuss the incidence, mechanism, influence factors, specific markers, prognosis and treatment of this disease. These results suggested that a post-relapse biopsy after rituximab treatment should be performed. CD79a and Pax-5 should be used as the first-line B lineage-specific markers for these patients. Though mechanisms of CD20 decrement are not fully elucidated, the down-regulation of CD20 mRNA is the most probable hypothesis. Recently various new agents are developed, but the prognosis is still poor. Further studies for new treatments are needed.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Cancer Center, Wuhan Union Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, 430023, China

    Yao Jiang, Yingchao Zhao, Xiaorong Dong, Sheng Zhang & Gang Wu

  2. Department of Pathology, Wuhan Union Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, 430022, China

    Yan Li

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  1. Yao Jiang
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  2. Yingchao Zhao
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  3. Xiaorong Dong
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  4. Sheng Zhang
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  5. Yan Li
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  6. Gang Wu
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Correspondence to Yao Jiang or Gang Wu.

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Jiang, Y., Zhao, Y., Dong, X. et al. Loss of CD20 expression in relapsed diffuse large B cell lymphoma after rituximab therapy: a case report and review of the literature. Chin. -Ger. J. Clin. Oncol. 12, 148–151 (2013). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10330-012-1116-4

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s10330-012-1116-4

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