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Spotlight on Rituximab in Non-Hodgkin Lymphoma and Chronic Lymphocytic Leukemia

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Abstract

Rituximab (MabThera®, Rituxan®) is an anti-CD20 monoclonal antibody that induces lysis and apoptosis of normal and malignant human B cells, and sensitizes malignant B cells to the cytotoxic effect of chemotherapy. In phase III trials in patients with indolent or aggressive B-cell non-Hodgkin lymphoma (NHL), intravenous rituximab in combination with chemotherapy was more effective as first- or second-line therapy than chemotherapy alone in terms of tumor remission and patient survival. Likewise, in patients with chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL), rituximab in combination with chemotherapy appeared more effective than chemotherapy alone as either first- or second-line treatment. In addition, rituximab maintenance therapy was shown to significantly prolong tumor remission and patient survival in patients with indolent B-cell NHL or CLL. The combination of rituximab with cyclophosphamide, doxorubicin, vincristine and prednisone (CHOP) was cost effective as first-line therapy for advanced-stage diffuse large B-cell NHL compared with CHOP alone. Rituximab, either alone or in combination with chemotherapy, was generally well tolerated in patients with NHL or CLL. Overall, rituximab in combination with chemotherapy, is a valuable option for first- and second-line therapy in patients with advanced-stage indolent or aggressive B-cell NHL, and possibly those with B-cell CLL, and is included in current treatment guidelines for these indications. The drug is also potentially useful as maintenance therapy in patients with indolent B-cell NHL or CLL.

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Notes

  1. The use of trade names is for product identification purposes only and does not imply endorsement.

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Acknowledgments

The full text article in Drugs 2006; 66 (6); 791–820 was reviewed by: J.H. Best, Department of Pharmacy, University of Washington, Seattle, Washington, USA; A. Engert, Department of Internal Medicine I, University Hospital of Cologne, Köln, Germany; M. Fanale, Department of Lymphoma/Myeloma, The University of Texas M.D. Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, Texas, USA; P. Feugier, Hematology Department, Centre Hospitalier Universitaire de Brabois, Vandoeuvre les Nancy, France; S. O’Brien, Leukemia Department, The University of Texas M.D. Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, Texas, USA; M. Pfreundschuh, Med. Klinik I, Saarland University, Homburg/Saar, Germany; P.L. Zinzani, Istituto di Ematologia e Oncologia Medica “L. e A. Ser’agnoli”, University of Bologna, Bologna, Italy.

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  1. Adis International Limited, 41 Centorian Drive, Private Bag 65901, Mairangi Bay, Auckland, 1311, New Zealand

    Risto S. Cvetković & Caroline M. Perry

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  1. Risto S. Cvetković
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  2. Caroline M. Perry
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Correspondence to Risto S. Cvetković.

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This Spotlight is derived from abstract and summary text of an Adis Drug Evaluation originally published in full in Drugs 2006; 66 (6): 791–820. Reviewers of the original full text article are listed in the Acknowledgments section. The manufacturer of the agent under review was offered an opportunity to comment on the original article during the peer review process; changes based on any comments received were made on the basis of scientific and editorial merit

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Cvetković, R.S., Perry, C.M. Spotlight on Rituximab in Non-Hodgkin Lymphoma and Chronic Lymphocytic Leukemia. BioDrugs 20, 253–257 (2006). https://doi.org/10.2165/00063030-200620040-00006

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