NEWS BRIEF

Results favorable for B-cell non-Hodgkin's lymphoma

Rituxan (rituximab), a drug co-developed by San Francisco-based Genentech, San Diego-based IDEC, F. Hoffmann-La Roche of Switzerland, and Zenyaku Kogyo of Japan has shown promise in battling combat relapsed or refractory low-grade or follicular CD20- positive B-cell non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma. The FDA approved the drug for marketing in November 1997.

The trial, conducted at 31 U.S. sites, showed a 48% overall response rate in 166 intent-to-treat patients. Of these responses, 10 were complete and 70 were partial. And 56 of the 75 patients who did not achieve a complete or partial response reported a net decrease of measurable disease.

The projected median time to progression for responders was 13 months, with a median follow-up duration of 11.8 months. Side effects were mild, with fever and chills the most common events. Only 12% of patients had grade 3 toxicities, and 3% had grade 4 toxicities. Final study data will be re-analyzed after all the patients have relapsed.

Rituxan is given over a 22-day period in four infusions, typically in an outpatient setting. Special handling is not required of the therapy or patient.