Review of (90)Y-ibritumomab tiuxetan as first-line consolidation radio-immunotherapy for B-cell follicular non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma

f (90)Y-ibritumomab tiuxetan as first-line consolidation radio-immunotherapy for B-cell follicular non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma Review (5319) Total Article Views Authors: Christos Emmanouilides Published Date October 2009 Volume 2009:1 Pages 131 - 136 DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.2147/CMAR.S6765 Christos Emmanouilides Department of Medical Oncology, Interbalkan Hospital, Thessaloniki, Greece Abstract: Several studies have indicated that radioimmunotherapy is an effective and clinically relevant complementary therapeutic approach for patients with B-cell non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma (NHL) and may convert partial to complete response when given as consolidation after induction chemotherapy. Yttrium-90(90Y)-ibritumomab tiuxetan (90Υ-ΙΤ, Zevalin , Y2B8) has documented efficacy for both indolent and aggressive NHL. Patients considered eligible for 90Y-IT treatment should satisfy several screening criteria. A recently completed randomized study for patients with follicular lymphoma has demonstrated that 90Y-ibritumomab consolidation also produced a marked prolongation of the median time to progression from 13.5 to 37 months, while partial responders seem to derive relatively more benefit. Other published and ongoing studies explore a similar use for patients with aggressive lymphoma. Studies are comparing the use of 90Y-IT consolidation with the anti-CD20 antibody rituximab maintenance, which is also gaining acceptance. In conclusion, the documented benefit of radioimmunotherapy should be viewed in the context of the goals of treatment and the changing standards of care for lymphoma.