Zevalin follow-up results in 96% remission in NHL

US firm Cell Therapeutics says that patients with previously-untreated follicular non-Hodgkin's lymphoma (NHL) treated with fludarabine and mitoxantrone, followed by administration of Zevalin (ibritumomab tiuxetan), achieved 96% complete remission, an estimated three-year progression-free survival rate of 76%, and a 100% estimated three-year overall survival rate. The side effects were generally mild without any signs of cumulative toxicity, and hematological adverse events were moderate. Results of the study were reported in the on-line edition of The Lancet. CT acquired the US rights to Zevalin in December 2007.

The objective of the study was to determine the tolerability and efficacy of Zevalin consolidation following sequential fludarabine and mitoxantrone therapy without rituximab in first-line treatment of follicular NHL.

"This study underscores the potential use of radioimmunotherapy with Zevalin to convert the majority of partial remissions to complete remissions and to induce molecular remissions after conventional chemotherapy, both of which correlate with durable progression-free survival rates," noted Jack Singer, chief medical officer at CT.