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Potentiation of Anticancer Antibody Efficacy by Antineoplastic Drugs: Detection of Antibody-drug Synergism Using the Combination Index Equation
Published on: January 19, 2019
4. Antibody therapy for malignant lymphoma
1Hematology and Stem Cell Transplantation Division, National Cancer Center Hospital, Tokyo. ktobinai@ncc.go.jp
Internal Medicine (Tokyo, Japan)
|January 16, 2007
Summary
Rituximab, an anti-CD20 antibody, effectively treats B-cell non-Hodgkin's lymphoma and mantle cell lymphoma. Clinical trials show significant response rates and minimal toxicity in relapsed or refractory patients.
Area of Science:
- Oncology
- Immunology
- Pharmacology
Background:
- Rituximab is a chimeric anti-CD20 monoclonal antibody that targets B-lymphoma cells.
- It induces apoptosis, complement-dependent cytotoxicity (CDC), and antibody-dependent cell-mediated cytotoxicity (ADCC).
Purpose of the Study:
- To summarize clinical trial results of antibody therapy for malignant lymphoma.
- To present findings from Japanese multicenter trials of rituximab and a feasibility study of anti-CD20 radioimmunotherapy.
Main Methods:
- Phase I and II clinical studies of rituximab in relapsed or refractory B-cell non-Hodgkin's lymphoma (B-NHL) and mantle cell lymphoma (MCL).
- Administration of rituximab at 375 mg/m2 for four weekly infusions.
- Feasibility study of yttrium-90-labeled ibritumomab tiuxetan anti-CD20 radioimmunotherapy.
Main Results:
- Phase I study: 64% overall response rate (ORR) with minimal toxicities.
- Phase II study: ORRs of 61% in indolent B-NHL and 46% in MCL.
- Rituximab serum half-life was 445+/-361 hours, detectable up to three months.
Conclusions:
- Rituximab demonstrates significant efficacy in treating relapsed or refractory B-NHL and MCL.
- The antibody therapy shows a favorable safety profile.
- Further investigation into anti-CD20 radioimmunotherapy is warranted.
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