Review of ⁹⁰Y-ibritumomab tiuxetan as first-line consolidation radio-immunotherapy for B-cell follicular non-Hodgkin's lymphoma

Several studies have indicated that radioimmunotherapy is an effective and clinically relevant complementary therapeutic approach for patients with B-cell non-Hodgkin's lymphoma (NHL) and may convert partial to complete response when given as consolidation after induction chemotherapy. Yttrium-90(⁹⁰Y)-ibritumomab tiuxetan (⁹⁰Y-IT, Zevalin^®, Y2B8) has documented efficacy for both indolent and aggressive NHL. Patients considered eligible for ⁹⁰Y-IT treatment should satisfy several screening criteria. A recently completed randomized study for patients with follicular lymphoma has demonstrated that ⁹⁰Y-ibritumomab consolidation also produced a marked prolongation of the median time to progression from 13.5 to 37 months, while partial responders seem to derive relatively more benefit. Other published and ongoing studies explore a similar use for patients with aggressive lymphoma. Studies are comparing the use of ⁹⁰Y-IT consolidation with the anti-CD20 antibody rituximab maintenance, which is also gaining acceptance. In conclusion, the documented benefit of radioimmunotherapy should be viewed in the context of the goals of treatment and the changing standards of care for lymphoma