To print: Select File and then Print from your browser's menu --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Title: ASH: Rituximab Prolongs Chemo Response in Non-Hodgkin's Lymphoma URL: http://www.pslgroup.com/dg/2400F2.htm Doctor's Guide December 11, 2003
By Roberta Friedman, PhD SAN DIEGO, CA -- December 11, 2003 -- Rituximab prolongs the remission induced by the standard chemotherapy regimen for patients with low-grade non-Hodgkin's lymphoma (NHL): cyclophosphamide, doxorubicin, vincristine and prednisone (CHOP). These findings were reported here December 6th at the American Society of Hematology 45th Annual Meeting. Median duration of response is 83 months. "Nothing we've looked at to date is curative," noted study investigator Antonio Grillo-Lopez, MD, Neoplastic and Autoimmune Diseases Research Institute, Rancho Santa Fe, California. Dr. Grillo-Lopez added, however, that rituximab boosts responses to therapy with CHOP. "I would challenge anyone to show me better results [in the disease treatment]," he challenged. CHOP cures the intermediate grade of this lymphoma, but despite high initial response with low-grade non-Hodgkin's lymphoma, duration is typically 2 years. This is the first report of adding rituximab to CHOP, Dr. Grillo Lopez said. The study consisted of 38 patients, split equally as to gender. Median age was 48.5 years. All except 5 patients had stage III or IV disease, and 28 had extranodal involvement. Thirty were previously untreated. Sixteen remain in remission. Six infusions of the antibody, at 375 mg/m2, supplemented CHOP (mean dose intensity of 0.96, 6 cycles). Two infusions bracketed the beginning and end of the chemotherapy, and 2 infusions were given in between cycles of CHOP. "Today I would tell you to give it with each cycle of CHOP," said Dr. Grillo-Lopez. "It's easier for everyone." Safety of the treatment "is not a problem," Dr. Grillo-Lopez added. "You see the decreased blood-cell counts, and the nausea and alopecia," but just 4 patients had grade III or IV infection, he noted. Toxicity of CHOP is a consideration, Dr. Grillo-Lopez noted, "but when you look at the payback, it is worth it." Bigoen IDEC funded this study. [Study Title: Patients with Low-Grade NHL Treated with Rituximab + CHOP Experience Prolonged Clinical and Molecular Remission. Abstract 1493] --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Copyright © 1999 P\S\L Consulting Group Inc. All rights reserved. Republication or redistribution of P\S\L content is expressly prohibited without the prior written consent of P\S\L. P\S\L shall not be liable for any errors, omissions or delays in this content or any other content on its sites, newsletters or other publications, nor for any decisions or actions taken in reliance on such content. --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- This news story was printed from *Doctor's Guide to the Internet* located at http://www.docguide.com --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Return to News Story Page This site is maintained by webmaster@pslgroup.com Please contact us with any comments, problems or bugs. All contents Copyright (c) 1998 P\S\L Consulting Group Inc. All rights reserved.