3rd Rituximab Infusion One to Go!

[SantaZia]

I believe that the Rituximab infusions seem to be working. WBC back in normal range. RBC up but still a little low. My Haptoglobin has stayed the same at 14 which it has been for every test on record since September. I am wondering if anyone knows why that is and if I should be concerned. Thanks

CBCWD ZIA -

WBC6.42 K/uL

RBC3.69 M/uL

Hemoglobin12.5 gm/dL

Hematocrit36.4 %

Platelets111 K/uL

Lymphocytes Relative60.7 %

Lymphocytes Absolute3.90 K/uL 1.00 - 3.40 K/uLH

Experience Summary: The first infusion took 8 hours. They used Benadryl and Tylenol prior to treatment. 10 minutes into the treatment, my whole body was drenched in sweat. The infusion was stopped, dexamethasone, a steroid was added, my immune system calmed down and the slow drip began again.

[Smakwater]

SantaZia,

I am only a fellow patient, however with the limited information available, it appears that you are experiencing an appropriate response, and a more favorable than not response as well.

Your doctor would be the most accurate qualifier to interpret the measure.

A trend would be more revealing than a single lab report. In addition, durability will become a presentable measure to the initial response measure.

Here is a resource to introduce you to the perspective of measure in CLL treatment. Apologies, as it gets more in depth and broader in scope as your knowledge increases.

ashpublications.org/blood/a...

All the best!

JM

[SantaZia in reply to Smakwater]

Thanks JM I will read it.

[Smakwater in reply to SantaZia]

Don't let the rabbit run away with you. Sometimes it is good just to enjoy the day as it comes.

[RamsesII]

Hello SantaZia. I have had Rituximab infusions to treat autoimmune haemolytic anemia (AIHA), which was a side effect of CLL. If I remember correctly, I was given daily infusions for 4 days and then another 4 at weekly intervals. They were effective in all respects including haptoglobin value, but the effect was gradual and improvement still continued even after the last infusion. You have not mentioned how many infusions you have had already and whether any more are scheduled.I wish you a full recovery! All the best!

Ramses II

[SantaZia in reply to RamsesII]

Hi Ramses, good information on the time lag for improvement. I receive my 4th infusion tomorrow and will get my 3rd infusion results. I'll post any changes. Thanks for your answer. Andy

[SantaZia]

I was wrong on the haptoglobin it had improved from -14 to 14. It is up a little more after the 3rd infusion. 9/9/21 39, 10/22/21 18L, 11/30/21<14L, 1/10/22<14L, 1/17/22 14L, 1/24/22,14L 1/31/22 23L I may make it to the normal range after the next test results are in.

Haptoglobin 30 - 200 mg/dL