Radiolabeled antibody therapy of B-cell lymphomas

Semin Oncol. 1999 Oct;26(5 Suppl 14):58-65.

Abstract

Patients with relapsed B-cell lymphomas are currently incurable with conventional doses of chemotherapy or radiotherapy. In recent years, new treatment options have become available for these patients, including the use of chimeric mouse-human anti-CD20 antibodies and radiolabeled anti-CD20 antibodies. The nonradioactive rituximab (Rituxan; IDEC Pharmaceuticals, San Diego, CA, and Genentech, Inc, San Francisco, CA) antibody induces remissions in 60% of patients with relapsed follicular lymphomas, including 5% to 10% complete remissions. Anti-CD20 antibodies radiolabeled with iodine 131 and yttrium 90 given at nonmyeloablative doses yield remissions in 75% to 80% of cases, including 35% to 40% complete remissions. High-dose (131)I-anti-B1 antibody with stem cell transplantation generates objective responses in 85% to 90% of cases, including 75% to 80% complete remissions. Although more patients need to be evaluated with a longer follow-up period, radioimmunotherapy appears to be an effective and well-tolerated addition to the oncologists' armamentarium for relapsed lymphomas.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't
  • Research Support, U.S. Gov't, P.H.S.
  • Review

MeSH terms

  • Antibodies, Monoclonal / therapeutic use*
  • Antibodies, Monoclonal, Murine-Derived
  • Antigens, CD20
  • Clinical Trials as Topic
  • Humans
  • Iodine Radioisotopes
  • Lymphoma, B-Cell / immunology
  • Lymphoma, B-Cell / radiotherapy*
  • Radioimmunotherapy*
  • Rituximab
  • Splenomegaly
  • Yttrium Radioisotopes

Substances

  • Antibodies, Monoclonal
  • Antibodies, Monoclonal, Murine-Derived
  • Antigens, CD20
  • Iodine Radioisotopes
  • Yttrium Radioisotopes
  • Rituximab