Treatment of B-cell non-Hodgkin's lymphoma with anti CD 20 monoclonal antibody Rituximab

Rituximab is a chimeric anti CD-20 monoclonal antibody containing human IgG 1 kappa constant regions, with murine variable regions. The anti-lymphoma e ffects of Rituximab are probably due to complement and antibody-dependent c ell-mediated cytotoxicity, and induction of apoptosis. Phase II trials have demonstrated a strong activity of rituximab alone in indolent B non-Hodgki n lymphoma, especially in patients with follicular lymphoma. The most utili zed dose-schedule is 375 mg/m(2) weekly x 4. The association with chemother apy or with interferon-alpha increases Rituximab efficacy. More recently, R ituximab have showed activity also in diffuse large cell lymphoma, mantle c ell lymphoma and in other B-malignancies. Good results have also been obtai ned utilizing Rituximab for in vivo purging. However, we are still far from having found a definite position for Rituximab in the treatment of lymphop roliferative disorders. The aim of future studies should be to develop new strategies that will hopefully produce the most effective Rituximab-based r egimens in order to find the Rituximab key position in the treatment of B-m alignancies (C) 2001 Elsevier Science Ireland Ltd. All rights reserved.