New Non-Hodgkin's Lymphoma Drug Passes Hurdle
Feb. 2, 2005 - A new type of lymphoma treatment that combines cancer-killing antibodies and radiation may have potential as a powerful initial attack against an advanced form of non-Hodgkin's lymphoma, according to a new study.
Researchers found a one-week treatment with Bexxar induced a complete remission of the disease that lasted more than five years in most patients with previously untreated follicular lymphoma.
Although these results are exciting, experts say the treatment does not constitute a "cure" for this type of non-Hodgkin's lymphoma. This was a small study on the effectiveness of Bexxar as a first line of treatment in patients with advanced disease, and more research on this approach is required before it can be approved by the FDA for widespread use.
Follicular lymphoma is the second most common form of non-Hodgkin's lymphoma and accounts for more than 20% of all cases. Follicular lymphoma is cancer of the lymph nodes, which are an important part of the immune system, the body's natural defense system against infection.
Bexxar combines the antibody (tositumomab) with radioactive iodine and is administered through an infusion. The antibody stimulates the body's immune system to fight the cancer.
The drug was approved by the FDA in 2003 for the treatment of follicular, non-Hodgkin's lymphoma in patients who have not responded to initial therapy with the drug Rituxan and who have relapsed following chemotherapy. But this is the first study to use the drug in previously untreated patients.
In the study, researchers tested the drug in 76 patients with advanced follicular lymphoma (stage III and IV) who had not yet been treated for their disease. The patients were given a one-week treatment with Bexxar and were followed for about five years.
The results appear in the Feb. 3 issue of The New England Journal of Medicine.
Researchers found that 95% of the patients responded to the treatment; 75% had a complete disappearance of the signs of their cancer.
After follow-up, the estimated five-year overall survival rate was 89%. Fifty-one percent of patients survived during this period with no evidence that their cancer continued to progress.
Researchers found a one-week treatment with Bexxar induced a complete remission of the disease that lasted more than five years in most patients with previously untreated follicular lymphoma.
Although these results are exciting, experts say the treatment does not constitute a "cure" for this type of non-Hodgkin's lymphoma. This was a small study on the effectiveness of Bexxar as a first line of treatment in patients with advanced disease, and more research on this approach is required before it can be approved by the FDA for widespread use.
Follicular lymphoma is the second most common form of non-Hodgkin's lymphoma and accounts for more than 20% of all cases. Follicular lymphoma is cancer of the lymph nodes, which are an important part of the immune system, the body's natural defense system against infection.
Bexxar combines the antibody (tositumomab) with radioactive iodine and is administered through an infusion. The antibody stimulates the body's immune system to fight the cancer.
The drug was approved by the FDA in 2003 for the treatment of follicular, non-Hodgkin's lymphoma in patients who have not responded to initial therapy with the drug Rituxan and who have relapsed following chemotherapy. But this is the first study to use the drug in previously untreated patients.
New First-Line Treatment for Lymphoma?
In the study, researchers tested the drug in 76 patients with advanced follicular lymphoma (stage III and IV) who had not yet been treated for their disease. The patients were given a one-week treatment with Bexxar and were followed for about five years.
The results appear in the Feb. 3 issue of The New England Journal of Medicine.
Researchers found that 95% of the patients responded to the treatment; 75% had a complete disappearance of the signs of their cancer.
After follow-up, the estimated five-year overall survival rate was 89%. Fifty-one percent of patients survived during this period with no evidence that their cancer continued to progress.
SHARE
![Pediatric Supportive Care (PDQ®): Supportive care - Patient Information [NCI]-Overview](https://cdnus.oss-us-west-1.aliyuncs.com/libs/images/NewsJpg/cate_6/072_215x160.jpg)
