Results Revealed from High-Dose Zevalin(R) Study
It was recently announced by Cell Therapeutics, Inc. that the Journal of Clinical Oncology has published the results of an ongoing study regarding lymphoma and Zevalin(R). The study analyzed the effects of Zevalin(R) on 30 patients living with non-Hodgkin's lymphoma (NHL) when combined with stem cell infusions. Although this kind of therapy, known as high-dose myeloablativechemotherapy, is effective for NHL until this study is has been solely used on younger patients.
Study Details
In the study, three cycles of conventional therapy were reportedly given in conjunction with stem cell infusions. This was followed by about three times the standard dose of Zevalin that is typically given to patients with lymphoma and other forms of cancer. According to researchers, the treatment resulted in 83 percent of the participants achieving a disease free state with an overall survival rate of 87 percent after a 30 month follow-up.
"Our results suggest that the use of high-dose Zevalin for these patients provides a significant clinical benefit and is very well tolerated," explains Alessandro M. Gianni, M.D., Professor of Medical Oncology at the University of Milan. "We are encouraged by the outcome of the study as this regimen could be applicable to the vast majority of high risk or relapsed non-Hodgkin's lymphoma patients."
What is Zevalin(R)?
Zevalin(R) is a form of cancer therapy that is also known as radio immune therapy. This form of treatment is commonly used as part of a therapeutic regimen for those with relapsed or low-grade non-Hodgkin's lymphoma.
This form of therapy was approved by the FDA in February 2002, and has become known as the first radio immuno therapeutic agent to be used for the treatment of NHL. Although this therapy has proven to be effective, in rare cases it has also proven to be risky and deaths have occurred within 24 hours of patients being given this treatment. However, these cases have been so few and far between that researchers and health physicians are now realizing that the benefits could outweigh the risks.
