A review of rituximab, the first anti-CD20 monoclonal antibody used in the treatment of B non-Hodgkin's lymphomas. (May 2015)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Feugier, Pierre
• Is Part Of: Future oncology. Volume 11:Number 9(2015)
• Page Start: 1327
• Page End: 1342
• Publication Date: 2015-05
• Subjects: CD20 -- monoclonal antibody -- non-Hodgkin's lymphoma; Oncology -- Periodicals; 616.99405
• DOI: 10.2217/fon.15.57
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 1479-6694

Abstract

ABSTRACT : Rituximab is a type I anti-CD20 monoclonal antibody, which stabilizes CD20 on lipid rafts, promoting antibody-dependent cellular cytotoxicity and complement-dependent cytotoxicity activities. It is the first targeted therapy used in B-cell malignancies and has revolutionized their treatment, without excess of toxicity. In combination with chemotherapy, it has significantly improved response rates and progression-free survival and, for some of them, overall survival of patients with diffuse large B-cell lymphoma, follicular lymphoma, marginal zone lymphoma, mantle cell lymphoma. Moreover, it has been shown to improve progression-free survival in maintenance in follicular lymphoma as well as mantle cell lymphoma. Improvement of its efficacy includes exploration of resistance mechanisms, pharmacokinetics parameters, role of vitamin D and evaluation of subcutaneous route, among others.