Rituximab is a monoclonal antibody that is used in the treatment of Non-Hodgkin Lymphomas. It is a part of standard treatment of Diffuse Large B-cell Lymphoma (DLBCL), the commonest type of Non-Hodgkin Lymphoma. However its role in some special situations and patient poplulations have been under study in trials. A number of trials have recently published results on the efficacy and safety of Rituximab in elderly patients.
At least three large trials have now convincingly proved that those above 60 years of age should receive Rituximab in addition to CHOP chemotherapy for Diffuse Large B-cell Lymphoma. The latest trial, part of a large multi-institutional study based in Germany and involving 1000 patients, demonstrated that using Rituximab + CHOP14 chemotherapy produced better response and survival while not adding significantly to toxicity of chemotherapy.
These results are quite similar to a previously published French Study, and an American trial from the Mayo Clinic. Rochester. Both demonstrated a definite improvement in remission duration and also survival with R-CHOP. The French trial showed an almost 40% improvement in survival. No additional toxicity was seen.
Without question, Rituximab is as much an integral part of treatment in older people with Diffuse Large B-cell Lymphoma, as it is for younger patients.
