A Prospective Multi-Center Study on Practice, Clinical Outcomes, and Toxicities in Children with Mature B-cell Non-Hodgkin Lymphoma Treated with Rituximab-Based Chemotherapy Regimen in India

Non-Hodgkin lymphoma (NHL) is the third most common cancer in children, with mature B-cell NHL being a particularly aggressive but potentially curable subtype. While survival rates for this disease are high in resource-rich countries, outcomes in India remain lower, with significant challenges like treatment-related mortality, relapse, and treatment abandonment. Factors such as malnutrition, delayed diagnosis, and inadequate supportive care contribute to these poor outcomes. Rituximab, a monoclonal antibody targeting the CD20 protein on B-cells, has been shown in Western studies to improve survival when combined with chemotherapy. However, its use is associated with risks, including serious infections and immune system complications. While Rituximab has become the standard of care for high-risk B-cell NHL in children, there is limited data on its use in India. This study aims to collect detailed information on the use of Rituximab in pediatric mature B-cell NHL across multiple centers in India. The goal is to better understand the drug’s effects, including its benefits and risks, and to optimize treatment protocols to improve outcomes for children in India.