The incidence of anti-rituximab antibodies in patients with chronic lymphocytic leukemia

The aim of this study was to investigate the incidence of antibodies to rituximab, a chimeric monoclonal antibody targeted against the pan-B-cell marker CD20, in patients with chronic lymphocytic leukemia. Serum concentrations of anti-rituximab antibodies were determined in patients with B-chronic lymphocytic leukemia (newly diagnosed and resistant / recurrent forms, previously treated by rituximab) and healthy controls. Results: none of the patients with newly diagnosed disease have antibodies to rituximab. Positive results were recorded in 8 (33%) patients who received rituximab earlier.