[New antitumor drugs for non-Hodgkin's lymphoma].

Abstract

We summarize in this article the antitumor activity of newly developed drugs against non-Hodgkin's lymphoma. The Taxans (paclitaxel and docetaxel), complex polycyclic organic chemicals isolated from the yew tree, have a broad antitumor spectrum with impressive activity in solid tumors. In the SWOG Phase II study on relapsed non-Hodgkin's lymphomas, paclitaxel (Taxol), showed 30% CR and 14% PR. In the CALGB study on docetaxel, a 14.5% response rate (12.5% for low-grade lymphoma and 16.1% for intermediate-high grade lymphoma) was found. In the Japanese phase II study of docetaxel, the response rate was 29.4% for all patients (14.3% for low-grade lymphoma and 40.0% for intermediate-high grade lymphoma). Rituximab is a chimeric monoclonal antibody directed against the B-cell specific antigen CD20. A phase II trial was conducted with four weekly infusions of 375 mg/m2 in patients with relapsed low-grade or follicular lymphoma. The response rate was 46%. A clinical trial combining Rituximab with 6 cycles of CHOP chemotherapy in newly diagnosed patients has recently been completed. Early evaluation of this experience suggests that this combination resulted in a PR or CR in all patients. New purine nucleoside analogs (fludarabine, cladribine, pentostatin) are active against common and generally incurable low-grade lymphoproliferative disorders. These new drugs combined with other chemotherapeutic reagents are expected to overcome refractory or incurable non-Hodgkin's lymphoma.

• Authors: K Ohnishi, R Ohno
• Journal: Gan to kagaku ryoho. Cancer & chemotherapy (Gan To Kagaku Ryoho) Vol. 25 Issue 14 Pg. 2223-8 (Dec 1998) ISSN: 0385-0684 [Print] Japan
• PMID: 9881079 (Publication Type: Journal Article, Review)

Chemical References

• Antibodies, Monoclonal
• Antibodies, Monoclonal, Murine-Derived
• Antineoplastic Agents, Phytogenic
• Bridged-Ring Compounds
• Taxoids
• Docetaxel
• taxane
• Rituximab
• Vincristine
• Doxorubicin
• Cyclophosphamide
• Paclitaxel
• Prednisone

Topics

• Antibodies, Monoclonal (administration & dosage)
• Antibodies, Monoclonal, Murine-Derived
• Antineoplastic Agents, Phytogenic (administration & dosage)
• Antineoplastic Combined Chemotherapy Protocols (administration & dosage)
• Bridged-Ring Compounds (administration & dosage)
• Clinical Trials as Topic
• Cyclophosphamide (administration & dosage)
• Docetaxel
• Doxorubicin (administration & dosage)
• Drug Administration Schedule
• Humans
• Lymphoma, Non-Hodgkin (drug therapy)
• Paclitaxel (administration & dosage, analogs & derivatives)
• Prednisone (administration & dosage)
• Rituximab
• Taxoids
• Vincristine (administration & dosage)