title: Biologic therapy for lymphoma.
abstract: Biologic approaches to lymphoma treatment are now a practical reality rather than a vaguely perceived hope for the future. Interferon alfa seems to have been established as a life-extending therapy for selected patients with follicular lymphoma. Humanized anti-CD20 monoclonal antibody (rituximab) has an authentic 50% response rate in patients with follicular lymphoma, frequently works when given a second time, and is demonstrating what seems to be synergistic activity when combined with chemotherapy. Radioimmunoconjugates using iodine-131 and yttrium-90 as payload are producing responses in refractory and aggressive lymphomas. Vaccines and adoptive cellular therapies are also showing promising results in early phase clinical testing.
authors.affiliation: Institute of Hematology and Medical Oncology Seragnoli University of Bologna, Italy.
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Bendandi
authors.forename: D L
authors.initials: DL
authors.lastname: Longo
mesh_terms: D000911:Antibodies, Monoclonal / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D019496:Cancer Vaccines / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D006801:Humans; D016233:Immunotherapy, Active; D016219:Immunotherapy, Adoptive; D007372:Interferons / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D008223:Lymphoma / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000276:immunology
chemical_list: D000911:Antibodies, Monoclonal; D019496:Cancer Vaccines; D007372:Interferons