Radioimmunotherapy for B-cell non-Hodgkin lymphoma.

Abstract

Radioimmunotherapy (RIT) combines the targeting advantage of a monoclonal antibody with the radiosensitivity of non-Hodgkin lymphoma (NHL) cells. There are now two radioimmunoconjugates (RICs) - ibritumomab tiuxetan (Zevalin) and tositumomab (Bexxar) - that are approved by the FDA in the US for relapsed low-grade or follicular B-cell NHL. Both agents target the CD20 antigen on B-cell lymphoma cells. In relapsed disease, single doses of RIT produce an 80% overall response rate, with approximately 20% of patients achieving durable responses. RIT is very well tolerated and is delivered on an outpatient basis over 1 week. The only significant toxicity is reversible myelosuppression. Both RIT agents have demonstrated high anti-tumor activity in patients who are refractory to rituximab. Current trials are testing RIT as initial therapy with rituximab maintenance, as adjuvant therapy after chemotherapy, or in high-dose protocols with stem-cell support.

• Authors: Thomas E Witzig
• Journal: Best practice & research. Clinical haematology (Best Pract Res Clin Haematol) Vol. 19 Issue 4 Pg. 655-68 ( 2006) ISSN: 1521-6926 [Print] Netherlands
• PMID: 16997175 (Publication Type: Journal Article, Research Support, N.I.H., Extramural, Review)

Chemical References

• Antibodies, Monoclonal
• Antineoplastic Agents
• Immunoconjugates
• Yttrium Radioisotopes
• ibritumomab tiuxetan
• tositumomab I-131

Topics

• Antibodies, Monoclonal (therapeutic use)
• Antineoplastic Agents (therapeutic use)
• Humans
• Immunoconjugates (therapeutic use)
• Lymphoma, B-Cell (immunology, radiotherapy)
• Radioimmunotherapy (methods)
• Treatment Outcome
• Yttrium Radioisotopes (therapeutic use)