Radioimmunotherapy: a new treatment modality for B-cell non-Hodgkin's lymphoma.

Abstract

The field of radioimmunotherapy for the treatment of non-Hodgkin's lymphoma (NHL) has advanced significantly over the past decade, and several radioimmunoconjugates are being tested in clinical trials. Two of these antibodies target CD20: yttrium-90 (Y-90)-labeled ibritumomab tiuxetan (Zevalin) and tositumomab/iodine-131 (I-131)-labeled tositumomab (Bexxar). Other agents target either CD22 (Y-90 epratuzumab) or human leukocyte antigen (HLA)-DR (I-131 Lym-1), respectively. In February 2002, Y-90-labeled ibritumomab tiuxetan became the first radioimmunoconjugate to be approved by the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) for the treatment of cancer. Tositumomab/I-131 tositumomab was approved in June 2003. Thus, two radioimmunoconjugates have been approved for the treatment of NHL. Both agents, when administered as a single dose, have produced impressive tumor response rates with an acceptable toxicity profile. The main side effect is reversible myelosuppression. Radioimmunotherapy produces overall response rates of approximately 80% in patients with low-grade lymphomas, and 25% to 30% of patients achieve a complete remission. Lower response rates (approximately 40%) have been reported in patients with large-cell lymphomas. This review discusses the clinical trials of radioimmunotherapeutic agents for NHL that demonstrated their safety and efficacy and outlines the current status of these agents.

• Authors: Irene Ghobrial, Thomas Witzig
• Journal: Oncology (Williston Park, N.Y.) (Oncology (Williston Park)) Vol. 18 Issue 5 Pg. 623-30; discussion 633-4, 637-8, 640 (May 2004) ISSN: 0890-9091 [Print] United States
• PMID: 15209190 (Publication Type: Journal Article, Research Support, U.S. Gov't, P.H.S., Review)

Chemical References

• Antibodies, Monoclonal
• Antigens, CD20
• Antineoplastic Agents
• Iodine Radioisotopes
• Yttrium Radioisotopes
• ibritumomab tiuxetan

Topics

• Antibodies, Monoclonal (pharmacology, therapeutic use)
• Antigens, CD20 (immunology)
• Antineoplastic Agents (pharmacology, therapeutic use)
• Clinical Trials as Topic
• Humans
• Iodine Radioisotopes (pharmacology, therapeutic use)
• Lymphoma, B-Cell (radiotherapy)
• Radioimmunotherapy (methods)
• Yttrium Radioisotopes (pharmacology, therapeutic use)