Radioimmunotherapy of non-Hodgkin lymphomas.
Enthusiasm for the use of monoclonal antibodies, such as rituximab, has markedly changed the approach to patients with non-Hodgkin lymphomas (NHLs). Nevertheless, more effective therapies are needed. Radioimmunotherapy as a form of targeted radiation therapy may add significantly to our therapeutic options. Yttrium Y 90 ibritumomab tiuxetan, recently approved by the Food and Drug Administration, and iodine I 131 tositumomab have demonstrated a high level of activity in patients whose NHL has failed to respond to chemotherapy and rituximab. Toxicities have primarily included prolonged myelosuppression, with a potential risk of treatment-associated myelodysplastic syndrome and acute myelogenous leukemia. Ongoing clinical trials are attempting to better characterize the role of these promising agents.
Cheson
Bruce D
BD
Georgetown University Hospital, Lombardi Cancer Center, Washington, DC 20007, USA.
D000911:Antibodies, Monoclonal / Q000627:therapeutic use / Q000633:toxicity; D002986:Clinical Trials as Topic; D006801:Humans; D008228:Lymphoma, Non-Hodgkin / Q000532:radiotherapy*; D016499:Radioimmunotherapy / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000379:methods; D016879:Salvage Therapy
D000911:Antibodies, Monoclonal; C422802:ibritumomab tiuxetan; C119496:tositumomab I-131