Rituximab in the treatment of diffuse large B-cell lymphomas

A review of the use of rituximab (Rituxan; Genentech, Inc, South San Francisco, CA, and IDEC Pharmaceuticals, San Diego, CA) in diffuse large B-cell lymphomas is presented, focusing on the recent presentation of the combination of CHOP (cyclophosphamide/doxorubicin/vincristine/prednisone) plus rituximab in elderly patients. This combination increased the response rates, event-free survival, and overall survival of patients older than 60 years in comparison with CHOP alone. The toxic events observed with the combination were not more numerous or severe than those observed with CHOP alone. Rituximab is a chimeric anti-CD20 antibody that increases the treatment options in patients with B-cell lymphomas.