Treatment of B-cell non-Hodgkin's lymphoma with anti CD 20 monoclonal antibody Rituximab

Crit Rev Oncol Hematol. 2001 Jan;37(1):13-25. doi: 10.1016/s1040-8428(00)00069-x.

Abstract

Rituximab is a chimeric anti CD-20 monoclonal antibody containing human IgG1 kappa constant regions, with murine variable regions. The anti-lymphoma effects of Rituximab are probably due to complement and antibody-dependent cell-mediated cytotoxicity, and induction of apoptosis. Phase II trials have demonstrated a strong activity of rituximab alone in indolent B non-Hodgkin lymphoma, especially in patients with follicular lymphoma. The most utilized dose-schedule is 375 mg/m(2) weekly x 4. The association with chemotherapy or with interferon-alpha increases Rituximab efficacy. More recently, Rituximab have showed activity also in diffuse large cell lymphoma, mantle cell lymphoma and in other B-malignancies. Good results have also been obtained utilizing Rituximab for in vivo purging. However, we are still far from having found a definite position for Rituximab in the treatment of lymphoproliferative disorders. The aim of future studies should be to develop new strategies that will hopefully produce the most effective Rituximab-based regimens in order to find the Rituximab key position in the treatment of B-malignancies

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't
  • Review

MeSH terms

  • Antibodies, Monoclonal / pharmacokinetics
  • Antibodies, Monoclonal / therapeutic use*
  • Antibodies, Monoclonal / toxicity
  • Antibodies, Monoclonal, Murine-Derived
  • Antigens, CD20 / immunology*
  • Antineoplastic Agents / standards
  • Antineoplastic Agents / therapeutic use*
  • Clinical Trials as Topic
  • Lymphoma, B-Cell / drug therapy*
  • Rituximab

Substances

  • Antibodies, Monoclonal
  • Antibodies, Monoclonal, Murine-Derived
  • Antigens, CD20
  • Antineoplastic Agents
  • Rituximab