Educating patients about radioimmunotherapy with yttrium 90 ibritumomab tiuxetan (Zevalin)

To present the relevant information for the education of patients with B-cell non-Hodgkin's lymphoma (NHL) who are about to undergo radioimmunotherapy (RIT) with yttrium 90 (90Y) ibritumomab tiuxetan.

Published clinical trials of 90Y ibritumomab tiuxetan and secondary literature on radioimmunotherapy and NHL.

RIT is an emerging therapeutic option for patients with B-cell NHL and promises to become more prevalent in clinical use. Patients need to understand the rationale for and schedule of treatments with this regimen and the necessary ongoing laboratory tests for monitoring myelosuppression, as well as possible adverse events that might occur after treatment.

Nursing professionals should be aware of the logistics of the ibritumomab tiuxetan regimen and with the data associated with it to educate patients and facilitate patient understanding and expectations.