Diversity in antibody-based approaches to non-Hodgkin lymphoma

Abstract

Non-Hodgkin lymphoma (NHL) remains one of the most common cancers in the US, with survival dependent on the type and stage of disease. B-cell lymphomas account for ∼85% of all cases of NHL, and are commonly treated with chemotherapy, or monoclonal antibodies (mAbs) that t arget CD20 antigens on the surface of malignant tumors. The use of mAbs, either as single agents or in combination with chemotherapy, has made a huge impact on NHL survival rates. Rituximab remains the most commonly used and established mAb, and is used in a wide range of NHLs, but does not produce an effective therapeutic response in all patients. Novel therapeutics with enhanced binding affinity or alternative antigen targets are currently in development and in some cases have demonstrated improved efficacy over currently available treatments. Radioimmunotherapy has been included in transplant conditioning regimens to improve long-term disease control while limiting toxicity. These regimens have been safe, effective, and feasible, and are therefore promising for patients who cannot tolerate high-dose chemotherapy and/or total body irradiation.

Keywords:

• Non-Hodgkin lymphoma
• CD20
• monoclonal
• antibodies
• B cells

Declaration of interest: C. Gisselbrecht has received research funding from Bayer Schering Pharma. F. Morschhauser has received honoraria from Bayer Schering Pharma. A. Hagenbeek has received honoraria from Bayer Schering Pharma and Roche International. The other authors report no conflicts of interest.