New Drugs

Rituxan or Rituxan with cladribine for Variant Hairy Cell Leukemia – pro

Recent literature suggests that a subgroup of Hairy Cell Leukemia(NCL), sometimes called Variant Hairy Cell Leukemia(HCL-V)l  my in fact be a different disease not related to HCL at all and which my respond to rituximab to a much higher extent than common Hairy Cell does. It is thought that this variant is what used to be called Leukemic Reticuloendotheliosis in the past. It is an uncommon disorder accounting for approximately 0.4% of chronic lymphoid

Read more
Sorafenib for desmoid tumors – pro

  Desmoid tumors, also called aggressive fibromatosis, deep musculoaponeurotic fibromatosis, and fibrosarcoma grade I of the desmoid type, do not generally metastasize but can cause pain and compromise organs. Few treatments for this condition are well established, although many novel agents are being studied. Among them is Nexavar (sorafenib). The basis for the interest in this drug is that it appears to inhibit MPNST cell growth in vitro.

Read more
Revlimid and Rituxan for maintenance for lymphoma – pro

Recent studies suggest that lanalidomide and rituxan are effective in relapsed or refractory lymphomas. Revlimid, in particular, shows effectiveness for maintenance in myeloma. Because both drugs are well tolerated, this created an interest in studying their effectiveness for maintenance. Currently, maintenance is not standard for most lymphomas, including Diffuse Large B Cell lymphoma. Lenalidomide alone is still in studies, for example, Maintenance

Read more
Velcade for lymphoma – pro

Bortezomib is a drug that belongs to the class of drugs called proteasome inhibitors. The proteasome is a protein complex that breaks down rusty and modified proteins that cells are meant to dispose off. Its housekeeping job is very important for the cells to keep functioning. Research studies have shown that if the proteasome is inhibited (or stopped from functioning) some cancer cells, including some lymphoma cells may find it difficult to carry

Read more
Thalidomide or Lenalidomide and Rituximab for Mantle Cell Lymphoma – pro

Thalidomide, lenalidomide and rituximab have no direct effect on MCL cells. However, both indirectly affect peripheral blood mononuclear cell-mediated cytotoxicity,  and rituximab induces both complement-dependent and antibody-dependent cellular cytotoxicity (ADCC) against MCL cells. Rituximab-induced ADCC is enhanced by lenalidomide and thalidomide. In a 2004 series, thirteen patients of sixteen enrolled (81%) experienced an objective response,

Read more