A Study of Rituximab Alternative Dosing Rate in Patients With Previously Untreated Diffuse Large B-cell or Follicular Non-Hodgkin's Lymphoma (RATE)

During Cycle 1 rituximab was administered at an initial rate of 50 mg/hour. In the absence of infusion toxicity during Cycle 1, the infusion rate was escalated by 50 mg/h increments every 30 minutes to a maximum rate of 400 mg/hour. In case of infusion-related reactions, the infusion was interrupted or the infusion rate reduced. In case of Grade 3/4 infusion reactions, the rituximab infusion was discontinued and medical treatment provided. If the rituximab infusion in Cycle 1 was tolerated without a serious adverse event (AE) or Grade 3/4 infusion-related AE, as judged by the investigator, infusions in Cycle 2 onwards were administered as follows: 20% of the total dose was given over 30 minutes and the remaining 80% of the dose was given over the next 60 minutes, for a total infusion time of 90 minutes. Commercial preparations of rituximab were used.

Commercial preparations of CHOP were used. Prednisone was administered prior to rituximab infusion.

Commercial preparations of CVP were used. Prednisone was administered prior to rituximab infusion.

An analgesic/antipyretic (eg, acetaminophen) and an antihistamine (eg, diphenhydramine) were administered 30 minutes before each infusion of rituximab.