[Monoclonal antibody treatment of malignant lymphoma]

Internist (Berl). 2004 Dec;45(12):1370-7. doi: 10.1007/s00108-004-1299-z.
[Article in German]

Abstract

In the last years monoclonal antibodies directed against B-cell associated epitopes have enriched our armentarium of therapeutic strategies against malignant B-cell lymphoma. Monoclonal antibodies are characterized by a different mode of action compared to chemotherapy, thereby opening new avenues in lymphoma treatment. These monoclonal antibodies can exert their anti-lymphoma activity directly by an intrinsic cytotoxic effect or indirectly as a carrier of cytotoxic drugs or radioisotopes. Rituximab, an anti-CD20 monoclonal antibody, was proven to be highly active in indolent as well as aggressive lymphoma, in particular when combined with chemotherapy. The anti-CD52 antibody alemtuzumab was shown to induce remissions in high risk CLL. Furthermore, clinical trials have demonstrated promising activity of monoclonal antibodies conjugated to radioisotopes such as the (131)iodine anti-CD20 antibody tositumomab or the (90)yttrium anti-CD20 antibody ibritumomab tiuxetan.

Publication types

  • Review

MeSH terms

  • Alemtuzumab
  • Antibodies, Monoclonal / therapeutic use*
  • Antibodies, Monoclonal, Humanized
  • Antibodies, Monoclonal, Murine-Derived
  • Antibodies, Neoplasm / therapeutic use*
  • Antineoplastic Agents / therapeutic use
  • Antineoplastic Combined Chemotherapy Protocols / therapeutic use
  • Clinical Trials as Topic*
  • Cyclophosphamide / therapeutic use
  • Doxorubicin / therapeutic use
  • Humans
  • Lymphoma / drug therapy
  • Lymphoma / radiotherapy
  • Lymphoma / therapy*
  • Practice Guidelines as Topic
  • Practice Patterns, Physicians'
  • Prednisone / therapeutic use
  • Radioimmunotherapy / methods*
  • Radioisotopes / therapeutic use*
  • Radiopharmaceuticals
  • Rituximab
  • Treatment Outcome
  • Vincristine / therapeutic use

Substances

  • Antibodies, Monoclonal
  • Antibodies, Monoclonal, Humanized
  • Antibodies, Monoclonal, Murine-Derived
  • Antibodies, Neoplasm
  • Antineoplastic Agents
  • Radioisotopes
  • Radiopharmaceuticals
  • Alemtuzumab
  • Rituximab
  • Vincristine
  • Doxorubicin
  • Cyclophosphamide
  • Prednisone

Supplementary concepts

  • CHOP protocol