Rapid Infusion Rituximab, Hematologic, Oncologic, and Rheumatologic Disorders

The standard of care in patients receiving rituximab is to give the dose slowly and gradually
increase the rate of rituximab until the full dose is given, which may take several hours.
This is done in order to prevent a side effect of rituximab called an infusion reaction.
Infusion reactions are similar to allergic reactions and may cause symptoms such as low blood
pressure, wheezing, chest tightness, fever, itching, bad cough, blue skin color, seizures, or
swelling of the face, lips, tongue, or throat.

In this study, the investigators are testing the method of giving rituximab over a shorter
period of time. Administering rituximab at this faster rate is done commonly and safely in
the adult population with very few side effects.

The drug rituximab will be given as an infusion in the outpatient clinic. Infusion means the
drug is given using a needle or tubing inserted into a vein (also called an IV) over a period
of time.

If patients have a cancer or blood disorder, they will receive rituximab administration over
90 minutes, 20% of the dose will be given over the first 30 minutes and the remaining 80% of
the dose will be given over 60 minutes. This is the standard method of infusing doses of
rituximab in adults who have a cancer or blood disorder, and have done well with a first dose
of rituximab at the standard infusion rate.

If patients have a rheumatologic disease, they will receive rituximab administration over 120
minutes, 12.5% of the dose will be given over the first 30 minutes and the remaining 87.5% of
the dose will be given over 90 minutes. This is the standard method of infusing doses of
rituximab in adults who have a rheumatologic disorder, and have done well with a first dose
of rituximab at the standard infusion rate.

During this time, the investigator will also assess to see if patients have any side effects
from receiving the faster infusion and for 15 minutes following the end of the infusion.
Patients will also be followed up by phone or in clinic one week after the rapid infusion of
rituximab to see if they have any side effects.

Before patients receive rituximab, they will receive acetaminophen and diphenhydramine. These
medications are given to help prevent an infusion reaction from occurring. These medications
are always given no matter how quickly rituximab is given.

If an infusion reaction occurs, the rituximab infusion will stop and patients will receive
medications to help reverse the reaction. Once the reaction has gone away, the patient's
doctor will determine if and how they will receive the rest of their rituximab dose.

Patients will receive one rapid infusion of rituximab as part of their participation in this
study. If patients did not have an infusion-related reaction they are eligible to receive
subsequent infusions off protocol at the discretion of the provider.

Patients will be asked to allow us to view and collect information from their medical records
prior to their infusion to ensure eligibility and obtain baseline data, as needed on the day
of their infusion and through the next clinical follow up to monitor for side effects from
the infusion. Data collected from the medical records includes but is not limited to,
demographic information (age, race/ethnicity, weight, diagnoses, and indication for
rituximab).

Inclusion Criteria:

- Previously received and tolerated at least one rituximab infusion via standard
infusion administration. *No modifications or adjustment to the infusion, or treatment
with any anaphylaxis reaction medications required

- No history of Grades 3 or 4 infusion reaction to rituximab based on the NIH Common
Terminology Criteria for Adverse Events (CTCAE) version 4.03

- Prescribed rituximab with the following indications and doses for administration in
the outpatient setting:

- Hematologic or oncologic indication: 100 mg/m^2 or 375 mg/m^2

- Rheumatologic indication: 375-750 mg/m^2 (total dose not to exceed 1000 mg)

Exclusion Criteria:

- Any patient not meeting the inclusion criteria.

- Any patient who does not consent to the pilot protocol.

- Any patient on a clinical trial where the infusion rate of rituximab is prescribed by
the clinical trial.

- Any patient who required rescue or symptomatic treatment with steroids,
antihistamines, or epinephrine during prior rituximab infusions.

- Any patient who has received a bone marrow transplant.