Radioimmunotherapy of B-cell lymphoma

Radioimmunotherapy has evolved from an attractive concept to implementation in clinical trials for evaluation of toxicity and efficacy. Non-Hodgkin's lymphoma is a useful setting for evaluation of this novel form of therapy. Groups investigating radioimmunotherapy for non-Hodgkin's lymphoma are implementing single high doses and multiple smaller doses of beta emitters I-131 and Y-90 attached to antibodies. All groups giving multiple small doses observe partial responses to treatment with variable hematopoietic toxicity. Single very high doses have yielded complete responses with hematologic toxicity requiring reinfusion of stored bone marrow. A review of radioimmunotherapy trials for non-Hodgkin's lymphoma with a discussion of pertinent related issues is presented.