Subcutaneous Rituximab with Recombinant Human Hyaluronidase in the Treatment of Non-Hodgkin Lymphoma and Chronic Lymphocytic Leukemia

Abstract

The anti-CD20 monoclonal antibody rituximab (MabThera^®/Rituxan^®) has been proven to improve outcomes in a range of B-cell malignancies. Initially developed as a formulation for intravenous infusion, administration times for rituximab can be prolonged and associated with infusion-related reactions, prompting a combined clinical development program investigating subcutaneous delivery in combination with recombinant human hyaluronidase. As this program comes to fruition, this article reviews the evidence demonstrating subcutaneous rituximab to have noninferior pharmacokinetics when delivered at a fixed-dose as well as equivalent clinical outcomes in the treatment of follicular lymphoma, chronic lymphocytic leukemia and diffuse large B-cell lymphoma. This mode of delivery is more preferable to patients and healthcare professionals and is associated with time and cost savings.

Keywords::

• chronic lymphocytic leukemia
• diffuse large B-cell lymphoma
• follicular lymphoma
• non-Hodgkin lymphoma
• rituximab
• subcutaneous administration

Financial & competing interests disclosure

A Davies has received research funding, honorarium and provided advisory support for several organizations (Celgene, Roche, Gilead, Takeda, CTI, Mundipharma, GSK, Bayer, Janssen, Karyopharma, Pfizer and Acerta). The authors have no other relevant affiliations or financial involvement with any organization or entity with a financial interest in or financial conflict with the subject matter or materials discussed in the manuscript apart from those disclosed.

No writing assistance was utilized in the production of this manuscript.

Additional information

Funding

A Davies has received research funding, honorarium and provided advisory support for several organizations (Celgene, Roche, Gilead, Takeda, CTI, Mundipharma, GSK, Bayer, Janssen, Karyopharma, Pfizer and Acerta). The authors have no other relevant affiliations or financial involvement with any organization or entity with a financial interest in or financial conflict with the subject matter or materials discussed in the manuscript apart from those disclosed. No writing assistance was utilized in the production of this manuscript.