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MabThera monotherapy achieves substantial responses in patients with relapsed/refractory indolent NHL

The pivotal MabThera monotherapy trial in relapsed or refractory low-grade follicular NHL established its efficacy and safety in this indication, with an objective response rate (ORR) of 48% and median time to progression (TTP) of 13 months in responders¹. Re-evaluation of the data following the publication of the Cheson response criteria³ yielded amended objective and complete response rates of 56% and 32%, respectively^2,5. Further analysis of the trial revealed that response rates were higher in patients with fewer previous treatments².

However, analysis of a wide range of prognostic factors known to predict response to chemotherapy, including lymphoma grade, years since diagnosis, bulky disease, serum ß₂-microglobulin and serum lactate dehydrogenase concentration, showed that these factors are not predictive of response to MabThera^2,4. Therefore, patients who would be unlikely to respond to chemotherapy are often good candidates for MabThera monotherapy.

References

1. McLaughlin P, et al. J Clin Oncol 1998; 16: 2825-2833.
2. McLaughlin P, et al. Semin Oncol 1999; 26: 79-87.
3. Cheson BD, et al. J Clin Oncol 1999; 17: 1244.
4. Czuczman MS, et al. Leuk Lymphoma 2006; 47: 1830-1840.
5. Grillo-López AJ, et al. Semin Oncol 1999; 26: 66-73.