Zevalin for CLL – pro
90Y-ibritumomab tiuxetan is a novel radioimmunotherapeutic agent recently approved for the treatment of relapsed or refractory low-grade, follicular, or CD20+ transformed non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma (NHL). 90Y-ibritumomab tiuxetan consists of a murine monoclonal antibody covalently attached to a metal chelator, which stably chelates 111In for imaging and 90Y for therapy. It is often used for other than first line of treatment for lymphoma. However, for CLL it is still investigational.
A recent guideline states experts’ consensus: “It is the opinion of the Hematology Disease Site Group that the benefit of 90Y-ibritumomab tiuxetan radioimmunotherapy may be generalizable to other relapsed or refractory indolent non-Hodgkin’s lymphomas previously treated with rituximab. However, the benefit may not extend to patients with chronic lymphocytic leukemia/small lymphocytic lymphoma (CLL/SLL), and 90Y-ibritumomab tiuxetan radioimmunotherapy cannot be routinely recommended in this group of patients. ”
Leung M, Haynes AE, Stevens A, Meyer RM, Imrie K, Hematology Disease Site Group. Ibritumomab tiuxetan in lymphoma: a clinical practice guideline. Toronto (ON): Cancer Care Ontario (CCO); 2006 Jul 17. 42 p. (Evidence-based series; no. 6-17). [44 references]
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