Severe infusion-related reactions are uncommon in rituximab-treated CLL patients in clinical practice: Results from a Swedish national observational study

There have been concerns about serious infusion-related adverse drug reactions (ADR) with rituximabin chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL). We therefore conducted an observational trial in which CLL patients planned for rituximab-containing therapy were eligible. Ninety-six patients from 19 centers were enrolled. The most common regimen was rituximab, fludarabine and cyclophosphamide. Fifty-six patients experienced ADR during rituximab infusion. Reactions >= grade 3 occurred in five patients and no cases of tumor lysis syndrome were recorded. Despite a high number of circulating tumor cells few severe ADR were noted. Thus, rituximab containing regimens can be considered safe for CLL patients in general practice. (C) 2014 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.