Zevalin radioimmunotherapy offers safe and effective therapy for relapsed or refractory, B cell non-Hodgkin's lymphoma (nhl)

Document Type

Article

Department

Haematology and Oncology, East Africa

Abstract

Background: Non-Hodgkin's lymphoma (NHL) is a diverse group of blood cancers that can be challenging to treat, particularly in cases where the disease is relapsed or refractory to standard therapies. Zevalin (Ibritumomab tiuxetan) is a radioimmunotherapy (RIT) agent targeting the CD20 antigen on B cells, combining the specificity of monoclonal antibody therapy with the cytotoxic effects of radioisotopes.

Objective: This study evaluates the safety and efficacy of Zevalin radioimmunotherapy in patients with relapsed or refractory B cell NHL, particularly those who have failed conventional treatments.

Methods: A multicenter trial was conducted involving patients with relapsed or refractory B cell NHL. Participants received Zevalin, and the primary endpoints included overall response rate (ORR), duration of response, and safety profile. Secondary endpoints included progression-free survival (PFS) and overall survival (OS).

Results: The study demonstrated that Zevalin is both safe and effective in this patient population. The overall response rate was significant, with a substantial proportion of patients achieving complete remission. The treatment was generally well-tolerated, with manageable side effects, the most common being cytopenias. The results indicate that Zevalin offers a promising therapeutic option for patients with limited treatment alternatives.

Conclusion: Zevalin radioimmunotherapy is a viable treatment for patients with relapsed or refractory B cell NHL, providing a favorable balance of efficacy and safety. This therapy offers hope for patients who have exhausted other treatment options, underscoring the potential of radioimmunotherapy in managing hematologic malignancies.

Comments

This work was published before the author joined Aga Khan University.

Publication (Name of Journal)

European Journal of Cancer

DOI

https://doi.org/10.1016/S0959-8049(01)80611-0

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