Lymphoma Protocol consisting of four weekly doses of 375 mg/m2 of rituximab (RTX)

Intensive B-cell depletion therapy (IBCDT) which is based on the combination of RTX (given at the dose of 375 mg/m2 every 4 weeks followed by 2 additional doses after 1 and 2 months), CYC (two pulses of 10 mg/kg, corrected according to renal function, on days 4 and 17) and methylprednisolone (three bolus doses of 15 mg/kg) followed by oral prednisone (starting dose 50 mg tapered until complete discontinuation in 4 months).

comparing anti-CD20 (lymphoma protcol, RTX 375 mg/m2 every 4 weeks ) alone Vs. Intensive B-cell depletion therapy (IBCDT) which is based on the combination of RTX (given at the dose of 375 mg/m2 every 4 weeks followed by 2 additional doses after 1 and 2 months), cyclophosphamide (two pulses of 10 mg/kg, corrected according to renal function, on days 4 and 17) and methylprednisolone (three bolus doses of 15 mg/kg) followed by oral prednisone (starting dose 50 mg tapered until complete discontinuation in 4 months).

complete remission (CR), i.e., decrease of proteinuria to <0.5g/day with normal or stable renal function (< 20% increase in serum creatinine); partial remission (PR), i.e., reduction in proteinuria by ≥50% with stable renal function