Rituximab for the treatment of non-Hodgkin's lymphoma and chronic lymphocytic leukaemia.
Rituximab is a monoclonal antibody that is widely utilized in the treatment of a number of B-cell-derived haematological malignancies. Rituximab, in combination with chemotherapy, has significantly improved survival outcomes for patients diagnosed with follicular lymphoma (FL) and diffuse large B-cell lymphoma (DLBCL), the two most commonly diagnosed subtypes of non-Hodgkin's lymphoma. Furthermore, chemoimmunotherapy containing rituximab has led to significant increases in complete response and progression-free survival rates for patients with both previously untreated and relapsed or refractory chronic lymphocytic leukaemia (CLL). This article reviews the efficacy data from clinical trials demonstrating the significant survival benefits associated with rituximab use in the treatment of FL, DLBCL and CLL.
Hagemeister
Fredrick
F
Department of Lymphoma and Myeloma, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, Texas 77030, USA. fhagemei@mdanderson.org
D000911:Antibodies, Monoclonal / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D058846:Antibodies, Monoclonal, Murine-Derived; D000971:Antineoplastic Combined Chemotherapy Protocols / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D019008:Drug Resistance, Neoplasm; D006801:Humans; D015451:Leukemia, Lymphocytic, Chronic, B-Cell / Q000188:drug therapy*; D008224:Lymphoma, Follicular / Q000188:drug therapy*; D016403:Lymphoma, Large B-Cell, Diffuse / Q000188:drug therapy*; D012008:Recurrence; D000069283:Rituximab
D000911:Antibodies, Monoclonal; D058846:Antibodies, Monoclonal, Murine-Derived; D000069283:Rituximab