Haematologica Reports 2005; 1(issue 8): 46-51[prev][index][next]

Combinations of biological agents in non-Hodgkin’s lymphomas
Cheson BD
Georgetown University, Hospital Lombardi Comprehensive Cancer Center, Washington, USA

The traditional approach to patients with indolent non-Hodgkin ‘s lymphomas (NHL) has included a single alkylating agent, a combination of drugs, such as cyclophosphamide, vincristine and prednisone (CVP), or with adriamycin (CHOP), or CHOP, without evidence of an advantage among these approaches.¹ However, the availability of active monoclonal antibodies for the treatment of non-Hodgkin’s lymphomas (NHL) has revolutionized the treatment of patients with these disorders. Rituximab, a chimeric anti-CD20 monoclonal antibody, induces responses in about 50% of patients with relapsed/refractory follicular and low-grade NHL.² The response rate increases to about 70% in previously untreated patients.^3-5 Nevertheless all patients eventually relapse and require alternative therapies. Increasing the dose or dose intensity or number of infusions has failed to achieve more than a few transient partial responses.^6-8 [>Read full article in PDF]