New strategies in radioimmunotherapy for lymphoma

Curr Oncol Rep. 2003 Sep;5(5):364-71. doi: 10.1007/s11912-003-0020-z.

Abstract

Treatment options for patients with indolent non-Hodgkin's lymphoma historically involved radiation or chemotherapy. Although initial response rates are excellent, treatment is increasingly less effective with each successive relapse. The advent of immunotherapy heralds a new era for the treatment of these patients. Radioimmunotherapy adds the benefits of cytotoxic radiation to immunotherapy and represents a significant addition to the treatment armamentarium. Various antigens for lymphoma have been targeted, of which anti-CD20 antibodies are the furthest in development. Ibritumomab tiuxetan (Zevalin; IDEC Pharmaceuticals, San Diego, CA), a (90)yttrium-labeled agent, and (131)iodine-labeled tositumomab (Bexxar; Corixa, Seattle, WA) are approved by the US Food and Drug Administration. Both agents have shown utility in therapy for relapsed and refractory low-grade and transformed lymphomas. This review highlights features of radioimmunotherapy that are relevant to non-Hodgkin's lymphoma, focusing on the two anti-CD20 antibodies.

MeSH terms

  • Antibodies, Monoclonal / adverse effects
  • Antibodies, Monoclonal / pharmacokinetics
  • Antibodies, Monoclonal / therapeutic use
  • Clinical Trials, Phase III as Topic
  • Contraindications
  • Humans
  • Iodine Radioisotopes / pharmacokinetics
  • Iodine Radioisotopes / therapeutic use
  • Lymphoma / radiotherapy*
  • Lymphoma, Non-Hodgkin / radiotherapy*
  • Radiometry
  • Yttrium Radioisotopes / pharmacokinetics
  • Yttrium Radioisotopes / therapeutic use

Substances

  • Antibodies, Monoclonal
  • Iodine Radioisotopes
  • Yttrium Radioisotopes
  • ibritumomab tiuxetan
  • tositumomab I-131