Radioimmunotherapy of non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma: a critical appraisal

Abstract

Radioimmunotherapy is a unique form of radiation therapy that uses antibodies to specifically target radionuclides for systemic cancer treatment. While chemotherapy remains the frontline treatment for non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma, two radioimmunotherapy agents are approved for use in certain follicular and transformed forms of recurrent non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma as a second- or third-line treatment option. However, there are number of clinical trials underway that will likely lead to a more expanded use of this treatment modality in the future. New agents and approaches for radioimmunotherapy are also being developed that could offer an even greater potential for this new form of therapy.

Keywords::

• Bexxar^®
• ibtritumomab tiuxetan
• non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma
• pretargeting
• radioimmunotherapy
• radionuclide therapy
• rituximab
• tositumomab
• Zevalin^®