Preclinical and phase I and II trials of rituximab.
The CD20 antigen is an attractive target for antibody-directed therapy due to its stable, high-level surface expression on normal and malignant B cells. Rituximab (Rituxan; IDEC Pharmaceuticals, San Diego, and Genentech, Inc, San Francisco, CA) is an anti-CD20 chimeric monoclonal antibody that has shown single-agent activity in phase I and II clinical trials in patients with B-cell non-Hodgkin's lymphoma. This antibody has a long serum half-life and low immunogenicity. Infusional symptoms are common with the initial infusion but rare with subsequent treatments. Temporary B-cell depletion occurs but has not been associated with immunodeficiency. The mechanism of action likely includes both immune-mediated effects and direct effects. The generally mild toxicity profile and excellent single-agent activity provide the rationale for use with or following chemotherapy. Additional studies evaluating these and other combinations are under way.
Maloney
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Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center and the Division of Medical Oncology, University of Washington, Seattle 98109, USA.
D000911:Antibodies, Monoclonal / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D058846:Antibodies, Monoclonal, Murine-Derived; D018951:Antigens, CD20; D000970:Antineoplastic Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D017321:Clinical Trials, Phase I as Topic; D017322:Clinical Trials, Phase II as Topic; D004353:Drug Evaluation, Preclinical; D006801:Humans; D016393:Lymphoma, B-Cell / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000276:immunology; D000069283:Rituximab
D000911:Antibodies, Monoclonal; D058846:Antibodies, Monoclonal, Murine-Derived; D018951:Antigens, CD20; D000970:Antineoplastic Agents; D000069283:Rituximab