Rituximab in Lymphoma and Chronic Lymphocytic Leukemia: A Clinical Practice Guideline

Guideline Objective

To provide an updated guideline on the use of rituximab in lymphoma and chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL).

Patient Population

Adult patients with lymphoma of any type, at any stage, and with any histology. Chronic Lymphocytic Leukemia Adult patients with CLL at any stage.

Intended Guideline Users

Hematologists and oncologists treating patients with lymphoma or CLL.

Research Question(s)

Lymphoma

1. In patients with lymphoma of any type or stage, is rituximab used alone or in combination with chemotherapy more effective than non–rituximab-containing regimens for improving overall survival (OS), disease control (as assessed by measures such as progression-free survival [PFS], event-free survival [EFS], time-to-treatment failure [TTF] , or response duration [RD]), response rate, or quality of life (QOL)?
2. What are the adverse events associated with the use of rituximab used alone or in combination with chemotherapy compared with non–rituximab-containing regimens?
3. Which patients with lymphoma are more or less likely to benefit from treatment with rituximab compared with those treated with non–rituximab-containing regimens?

Chronic Lymphocytic Leukemia

1. What beneficial outcomes are associated with the use of rituximab for the treatment of patients with CLL? Outcomes of interest are OS, disease control (as assessed by measures such as PFS, EFS, TTF, or RD), and response rate.
2. What is the toxicity associated with the use of rituximab?
3. Which patients are more or less likely to benefit from treatment with rituximab?