Keep Fighting Low-Grade NHL With Ongoing Therapy
After initial treatment with CVP chemotherapy, there may be more patients can do to keep low-grade (indolent) NHL in control—they can keep fighting it with RITUXAN ongoing therapy for up to 2 years. What we mean by control is that the disease did not advance for a period of time.
In one study (called ECOG1496), patients who received RITUXAN as an ongoing therapy (after CVP chemotherapy) had a significantly lower risk of their low-grade NHL advancing.
In fact, patients who received RITUXAN as an ongoing therapy cut their risk of relapse by more than half (when compared with patients who received no additional treatment.)
How RITUXAN is given
- By itself after initial treatment with CVP chemotherapy
- Once weekly (for 1 month), followed by 5 months without treatment
- Repeated for up to 2 years (16 infusions)
The ECOG1496 study
- Average patient age: 57
- 162 patients received RITUXAN ongoing therapy after benefiting from CVP chemotherapy
- 160 patients did not receive treatment after CVP chemotherapy
- These previously treated patients were in the later stages of disease
Important treatment considerations
- The most common side effects when RITUXAN was given after CVP chemotherapy were tiredness, low red blood cells, peripheral sensory neuropathy (a condition that affects certain nerves and may cause pain, tingling, or numbness), infection, lung problems, liver problems, rash/itching, joint pain, and weight gain. The only serious side effect that was more common in patients who received RITUXAN was low white blood cells
- Please talk to your doctor about the potential benefits and risks of RITUXAN ongoing therapy
