title: Rituximab in the treatment of non-Hodgkin's lymphoma--a critical evaluation of randomized controlled trials.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  The use of rituximab has led to significant improvements in the outcome of both aggressive and indolent Non-Hodgkin's lymphoma (NHL). It is the first targeted therapy to be developed for the treatment of lymphoma which has been widely adopted.
  
  
  METHODS
  This paper discusses the use of rituximab in NHL, mainly concentrating on diffuse large B cell lymphoma (DLBCL) and follicular lymphoma (FL), with a brief discussion about use in other types of NHL including mantle cell lymphoma (MCL). The use of rituximab in chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL) has been recently published in this journal by Robak (Robak T. Rituximab for chronic lymphocytic Leukemia. Expert Opin Biol. Ther. 2012;12(4):503-15). Non hematological indications for rituximab are also not discussed. A Pubmed search was conducted using key words of rituximab, DLBCL, FL, MCL, Burkitt's lymphoma and MALToma. Papers shortlisted for review included randomized control trials and scientific papers discussing CD20.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  In conclusion this paper has critically evaluated the use of rituximab in the treatment mainly of DLBCL, FL and MCL both at diagnosis and relapsed disease, and briefly discuses its use in other subtypes of lymphoma. Rituximab has significantly improved the outcome of patients with B cell NHL, in particular those with DLBCL and FL. Patients usually tolerate the treatment well, and studies have shown it to be a cost effective treatment.
authors.affiliation: Royal Hallamshire Hosptial, Department of Haematology, H floor, Glossop road, S10 2JF, Sheffield, UK.
authors.forename: Morag Meriel
authors.initials: MM
authors.lastname: Griffin
authors.forename: Nick
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Morley
mesh_terms: D058846:Antibodies, Monoclonal, Murine-Derived / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D000970:Antineoplastic Agents / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D018265:Carcinoma, Papillary, Follicular / Q000188:drug therapy; D006801:Humans; D015451:Leukemia, Lymphocytic, Chronic, B-Cell / Q000188:drug therapy; D016393:Lymphoma, B-Cell / Q000188:drug therapy; D020522:Lymphoma, Mantle-Cell / Q000188:drug therapy; D008228:Lymphoma, Non-Hodgkin / Q000188:drug therapy*; D060046:Maintenance Chemotherapy; D016032:Randomized Controlled Trials as Topic; D012008:Recurrence; D000069283:Rituximab
chemical_list: D058846:Antibodies, Monoclonal, Murine-Derived; D000970:Antineoplastic Agents; D000069283:Rituximab