About RITUXAN
Initial treatment with RITUXAN plus CHOP chemotherapy

Improving Results for Many Patients With DLBCL

RITUXAN plus CHOP chemotherapy is the most common treatment for DLBCL (aggressive) NHL. Known as R-CHOP, this combination has been proven to significantly improve treatment results. In fact, in one study (called GELA), patients who received RITUXAN plus CHOP chemotherapy spent more than twice as much time without their cancer advancing (compared with patients who received CHOP chemotherapy by itself).

RITUXAN plus CHOP chemotherapy

And 82% of patients who received RITUXAN plus CHOP chemotherapy went into either partial or complete remission.

RITUXAN plus CHOP chemotherapy

Keep in mind: Remission can be partial or complete. Partial remission means the cancer is significantly improved, but evidence of the cancer remains. Complete remission means all evidence of the cancer is gone for a period of time.
 

How RITUXAN is given

  • Along with CHOP chemotherapy
  • Every 3 weeks, for up to 8 infusions

The GELA study

  • Average patient age: 69 years
  • 202 patients received RITUXAN plus CHOP chemotherapy
  • 197 patients received CHOP chemotherapy by itself
  • Most of these previously untreated patients were in the later stages of disease

Important treatment considerations

  • The most common serious side effects when RITUXAN was given with CHOP chemotherapy were fever, lung problems, heart problems, chills, low platelets, viral infection, and low white blood cells. Some side effects were reported more often in patients over 60 years of age who received RITUXAN plus CHOP chemotherapy
  • Please talk to your doctor about the potential benefits and risks of RITUXAN plus CHOP chemotherapy

This information does not take the place of talking with your doctor. Discuss with your doctor any questions you have about your medical condition or your treatment.


Indications

RITUXAN® (Rituximab) is indicated for the treatment of patients with:

  • Previously untreated follicular, CD20-positive, B-cell NHL in combination with first-line chemotherapy and, in patients achieving a complete or partial response to RITUXAN in combination with chemotherapy, as single-agent maintenance therapy
  • Non-progressing (including stable disease), low-grade, CD20-positive, B-cell NHL, as a single agent, after first-line CVP chemotherapy
  • Previously untreated diffuse large B-cell, CD20-positive NHL in combination with CHOP or other anthracycline-based chemotherapy regimens
  • Relapsed or refractory, low-grade or follicular, CD20-positive, B-cell NHL as a single agent

People with serious infections should not receive RITUXAN.

Important Safety Information

  • RITUXAN can cause serious side effects that can lead to death, including infusion reactions, tumor lysis syndrome (TLS; kidney failure due to fast breakdown of cancer cells), severe skin and mouth reactions, and progressive multifocal leukoencephalopathy (PML; a rare, serious brain infection).
  • RITUXAN has also been associated with serious and life-threatening side effects, including the return of active hepatitis B virus infection with sudden and serious liver problems including liver failure, and death, other serious infections that can lead to death, heart problems, kidney problems, and stomach and serious bowel problems including blockage and tears in the bowel that can sometimes lead to death.
  • The most common side effects of RITUXAN seen in patients with non-Hodgkin's lymphoma were infusion reactions, fever, chills, low white blood cells, infections, body aches, and tiredness. Before starting treatment with RITUXAN it is important to talk to your doctor about your medical history.
  • Tell your doctor about any side effect that bothers you or that does not go away. These are not all of the possible side effects with RITUXAN. For more information, ask your doctor.

Please see full Prescribing Information, including Medication Guide.

CVP=cyclophosphamide, vincristine, and prednisone or prednisolone; CHOP=cyclophosphamide, doxorubicin, vincristine, and prednisone.