title: Targeting the proapoptotic factor Bcl-2 in non-Hodgkin's lymphoma.
abstract: Bcl-2 functions as a key survival factor for lymphocytes and is highly expressed in a majority of non-Hodgkin's lymphomas. The ability of oblimersen sodium (Genasense, previously known as G3139) to target bcl-2 messenger RNA and decrease Bcl-2 protein levels has the potential to enhance the activity of cytotoxic chemotherapy. Pretreatment with oblimersen followed by cyclophosphamide (Cytoxan, Neosar) markedly improved survival relative to single-agent cyclophosphamide in a murine xenograft model. Oblimersen has also enhanced the cytotoxicity of a variety of other agents against non-Hodgkin's lymphoma, including etoposide, rituximab (Rituxan), and alemtuzumab (Campath). An initial phase I study of oblimersen in non-Hodgkin's lymphoma demonstrated modest single-agent activity. Recent reports suggest that oblimersen may add to the activity of R-CHOP (rituximab-cyclophosphamide/doxorubicin/vincristine/prednisone) in previously untreated mantle cell lymphoma and to rituximab alone in a variety of subtypes of relapsed non-Hodgkin's lymphoma. Additional studies in both treatment-naive and relapsed patients will define the role of oblimersen in the treatment of non-Hodgkin's lymphoma.
authors.affiliation: Division of Medical Oncology, Department of Advanced Therapeutics, British Columbia Cancer Agency, Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada. rklasa@bccancer.bc.ca
authors.forename: Richard J
authors.initials: RJ
authors.lastname: Klasa
mesh_terms: D000074323:Alemtuzumab; D000818:Animals; D000911:Antibodies, Monoclonal / Q000494:pharmacology; D061067:Antibodies, Monoclonal, Humanized; D058846:Antibodies, Monoclonal, Murine-Derived; D000912:Antibodies, Neoplasm / Q000494:pharmacology; D000970:Antineoplastic Agents / Q000494:pharmacology* / Q000627:therapeutic use; D000971:Antineoplastic Combined Chemotherapy Protocols / Q000494:pharmacology; D017321:Clinical Trials, Phase I as Topic; D017322:Clinical Trials, Phase II as Topic; D003520:Cyclophosphamide / Q000494:pharmacology; D004305:Dose-Response Relationship, Drug; D004317:Doxorubicin / Q000494:pharmacology; D005047:Etoposide / Q000494:pharmacology; D015973:Gene Expression Regulation, Leukemic / Q000187:drug effects*; D006801:Humans; D008228:Lymphoma, Non-Hodgkin / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000378:metabolism; D016376:Oligonucleotides, Antisense / Q000494:pharmacology* / Q000627:therapeutic use; D011241:Prednisone / Q000494:pharmacology; D019253:Proto-Oncogene Proteins c-bcl-2 / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism*; D012333:RNA, Messenger / Q000187:drug effects / Q000378:metabolism; D012074:Remission Induction; D000069283:Rituximab; D016019:Survival Analysis; D013873:Thionucleotides / Q000494:pharmacology* / Q000627:therapeutic use; D014183:Transplantation, Heterologous; D014750:Vincristine / Q000494:pharmacology
chemical_list: D000911:Antibodies, Monoclonal; D061067:Antibodies, Monoclonal, Humanized; D058846:Antibodies, Monoclonal, Murine-Derived; D000912:Antibodies, Neoplasm; D000970:Antineoplastic Agents; D016376:Oligonucleotides, Antisense; D019253:Proto-Oncogene Proteins c-bcl-2; D012333:RNA, Messenger; D013873:Thionucleotides; D000074323:Alemtuzumab; D000069283:Rituximab; D014750:Vincristine; D005047:Etoposide; D004317:Doxorubicin; C408162:oblimersen; D003520:Cyclophosphamide; D011241:Prednisone