Non-Hodgkin's Lymphoma - Other Treatments

Biologic Therapy (Immunotherapy)

Biological response modifier therapy, also called immunotherapy, uses the body's own immune system to fight cancer using natural or laboratory-developed factors. These drugs are often combined with other treatments.

Monoclonal Antibodies

Monoclonal antibodies (MAbs) are designed in the laboratory to produce the same effects as natural antibodies and are exciting new weapons in the anti-cancer armament. They bind to specific proteins called antigens and make them vulnerable to attack by other factors in the immune system. Lymphomas carry antigens that provoke strong immune responses and so are believed to be particularly good candidates for MAb therapy.

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MAbs are called either unconjugated or conjugated, depending on how they are designed to destroy the cancer cell.

• Unconjugated monoclonal antibodies rely on a strong natural immune system. The antibody builds up at the tumor site until it is able to trigger an immune response against the cancer. A possible downside to this form is the potential development of tolerance to the antibody so that it loses its effectiveness. Rituximab is an unconjugated form and the first MAb to be approved for any cancer.
• Conjugated monoclonal antibodies are linked to a plant or bacterial toxin or radioisotope. The antibody specifically attacks the antigen on the lymphoma cell and the toxin or radioactive material from the isotope kills it.

Unconjugated MAbs (Rituximab). Rituximab (Rituxan) was the first monoclonal antibody approved for cancer. This drug targets the CD-20 antigen, which is found on most B-cell lymphomas.

First approved in 1997 for treatment of relapsed or refractory NHL, rituximab has received several expanded indications since that time. As of 2006, rituximab is approved for:

• Relapsed or refractory, low-grade or follicular, CD20-positive, B-cell, NHL
• First-line treatment of diffuse large B-cell (DLBC), CD20-positive, NHL in combination with CHOP (cyclophosphamide, doxorubicin, vincristine and prednisone) or other anthracycline-based chemotherapy regimens
• First-line treatment of follicular, CD20-positive, B-cell NHL in combination with CVP (cyclophosphamide, vincristine and prednisolone) chemotherapy
• Low-grade, CD20-positive, B-cell NHL in patients with stable disease or patients who have been partially or completely helped by first-line treatment with CVP chemotherapy