Treatment of B-cell non-Hodgkin's lymphoma with anti CD 20 monoclonal antibody Rituximab.
Rituximab is a chimeric anti CD-20 monoclonal antibody containing human IgG1 kappa constant regions, with murine variable regions. The anti-lymphoma effects of Rituximab are probably due to complement and antibody-dependent cell-mediated cytotoxicity, and induction of apoptosis. Phase II trials have demonstrated a strong activity of rituximab alone in indolent B non-Hodgkin lymphoma, especially in patients with follicular lymphoma. The most utilized dose-schedule is 375 mg/m(2) weekly x 4. The association with chemotherapy or with interferon-alpha increases Rituximab efficacy. More recently, Rituximab have showed activity also in diffuse large cell lymphoma, mantle cell lymphoma and in other B-malignancies. Good results have also been obtained utilizing Rituximab for in vivo purging. However, we are still far from having found a definite position for Rituximab in the treatment of lymphoproliferative disorders. The aim of future studies should be to develop new strategies that will hopefully produce the most effective Rituximab-based regimens in order to find the Rituximab key position in the treatment of B-malignancies
Sacchi
S
S
Department of Internal Medicine, Oncology and Radiology, University of Modena and Reggio Emilia, Via del Pozzo, 71, 41100 Modena, Italy. ssacchi@unimo.it
Federico
M
M
Dastoli
G
G
Fiorani
C
C
Vinci
G
G
Clò
V
V
Casolari
B
B
D000911:Antibodies, Monoclonal / Q000493:pharmacokinetics / Q000627:therapeutic use* / Q000633:toxicity; D058846:Antibodies, Monoclonal, Murine-Derived; D018951:Antigens, CD20 / Q000276:immunology*; D000970:Antineoplastic Agents / Q000592:standards / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D002986:Clinical Trials as Topic; D016393:Lymphoma, B-Cell / Q000188:drug therapy*; D000069283:Rituximab
D000911:Antibodies, Monoclonal; D058846:Antibodies, Monoclonal, Murine-Derived; D018951:Antigens, CD20; D000970:Antineoplastic Agents; D000069283:Rituximab