Links
Sources of Additional Non-Hodgkin's Lymphoma (NHL) and RITUXAN® (Rituximab) Information
This section provides links to relevant Web sites that will help you expand your knowledge about NHL and gain access to additional information that you may find useful in your practice.
Genentech, Inc. and Biogen Idec are neither affiliated with nor endorse any of the following organizations.
Associations and Societies
Below is a list of professional organizations committed to research, development, and education in the diagnosis and treatment of solid-tumor cancers and/or hematological neoplasms.
American Association for Cancer Research (AACR)
The American Association for Cancer Research is a professional organization of more than 27,000 cancer researchers. The AACR is the oldest and largest scientific organization in the world focused on every aspect of high-quality, innovative cancer research.
American Medical Association (AMA)
The nation's leader in promoting professionalism in medicine, setting standards for medical education and ethics, and advancing the betterment of public health.
American Society for Therapeutic Radiology and Oncology (ASTRO)
An organization of physicians and scientists committed to the advancement of radiation oncology, promoting excellence in patient care, and providing opportunities for educational and professional development.
American Society of Clinical Oncology (ASCO)
A non-profit organization that supports various types of cancer research, in particular, patient-oriented clinical research.
American Society of Hematology (ASH)
A society of clinicians and scientists committed to charitable, scientific, and educational activities that promote the exchange of information and ideas relating to blood, blood-forming tissues, and blood diseases.
The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society (LLS)
The nation's largest voluntary health organization committed to improving the quality of life of patients and their families, and funding research grants to find cures for leukemia, lymphoma, Hodgkin's disease, and myeloma.
Lymphoma Research Foundation of America (LRF)
A nationally recognized organization committed to funding lymphoma research grants and providing education and support to patients and their families.
National Cancer Institute (NCI)
Sponsored by the US government, this organization leads the nation's fight against cancer by supporting cancer research and promoting treatment, prevention, and quality of care for patients and their families.
National Comprehensive Cancer Network (NCCN®)
A non-profit tax-exempt corporation that is an alliance of the world's leading cancer centers. The NCCN is committed to the enhancement and delivery of quality cancer care to patients, and advancing cancer prevention, screening, diagnosis, and treatment.
Medical Databases
Below is a list of databases that allow you to search medical journals, clinical trial protocols, national meeting abstracts, and other resources that include relevant information.
DIRLINE (Directory of Information Resources Online): Directory of Health Organizations
The National Library of Medicine's online database, which contains detailed information about a variety of health-related resources, including organizations, research materials, projects, and databases pertaining to health and biomedicine.
Medline/PubMed
A service of the National Library of Medicine that provides access to over 11 million citations from MEDLINE and additional life science journals, and includes links to additional sites that provide full-text articles and other related resources.
MedlinePlus® Health Information
A service of the National Library of Medicine that provides access to extensive information about specific diseases and conditions, and includes links to dictionaries, clinical trials, lists of hospitals and physicians, and consumer health information from the National Institutes of Health.
National Library of Medicine Locator Plus
The National Library of Medicine's catalog of books, journals, audiovisuals, medical research tools, and various health-related resources.
INDICATIONS AND IMPORTANT SAFETY INFORMATION
RITUXAN® (Rituximab) is indicated for the treatment of patients with:
- Previously untreated and previously treated CD20-positive CLL in combination with fludarabine and cyclophosphamide (FC)
- Relapsed or refractory, low-grade or follicular, CD20-positive, B-cell NHL as a single agent
- Weekly ×4
- Weekly ×8
- Bulky disease
- Retreatment
- Previously untreated follicular, CD20-positive, B-cell NHL in combination with CVP chemotherapy
- 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
RITUXAN is not recommended for use in patients with severe, active infections.
WARNING: FATAL INFUSION REACTIONS, TUMOR LYSIS SYNDROME (TLS), SEVERE MUCOCUTANEOUS REACTIONS, and PROGRESSIVE MULTIFOCAL LEUKOENCEPHALOPATHY (PML)
Infusion Reactions: RITUXAN administration can result in serious, including fatal, infusion reactions. Deaths within 24 hours of RITUXAN infusion have occurred. Approximately 80% of fatal infusion reactions occurred in association with the first infusion. Carefully monitor patients during infusions. Discontinue RITUXAN infusion and provide medical treatment for Grade 3 or 4 infusion reactions.
Tumor Lysis Syndrome (TLS): Acute renal failure requiring dialysis with instances of fatal outcome can occur in the setting of TLS following treatment of non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma (NHL) with RITUXAN monotherapy.
Severe Mucocutaneous Reactions: Severe, including fatal, mucocutaneous reactions can occur in patients receiving RITUXAN.
Progressive Multifocal Leukoencephalopathy (PML): JC virus infection resulting in PML and death can occur in patients receiving RITUXAN.
WARNINGS AND PRECAUTIONS
RITUXAN has also been associated with other serious and/or fatal adverse reactions. These include
- hepatitis B reactivation with fulminant hepatitis; hepatic failure resulting in death
- serious, including fatal, bacterial, fungal, and new or reactivated viral infections
- cardiovascular events, including serious or life-threatening cardiac arrhythmias
- severe, including fatal, renal toxicity
- abdominal pain, bowel obstruction and perforation, in some cases leading to death, can occur in patients receiving RITUXAN in combination with chemotherapy
Additional Important Safety Information
- The most common adverse reactions of RITUXAN (incidence ≥25%) observed in clinical trials of patients with NHL were infusion reactions, fever, lymphopenia, chills, infection, and asthenia. The incidence of infusion reactions was highest during the first infusion (77%) and decreased with each subsequent infusion. These infusion reactions typically resolved with slowing or interruption of the infusion and with supportive care. The most frequent Grade 3 or 4 adverse reactions observed in NHL were cytopenias, including lymphopenia
- The most common adverse reactions of RITUXAN (incidence ≥25%) observed in clinical trials of patients with CLL were infusion reactions and neutropenia. Infusion-related adverse reactions occurring during or within 24 hours of the start of infusion included nausea, pyrexia, chills, hypotension, vomiting, and dyspnea. Most patients treated with R-FC experienced at least one Grade 3 or 4 adverse reaction. The Grade 3 or 4 adverse reactions observed more frequently with R-FC compared with FC alone were neutropenia, leukopenia, febrile neutropenia, thrombocytopenia, infusion reactions, pancytopenia, hypotension, and hepatitis B
- In clinical trials, CLL patients 70 years of age or older who received R-FC had more Grade 3 and 4 adverse reactions compared with younger CLL patients who received the same treatment
For additional safety information, please see the full prescribing information, including BOXED WARNINGS and Medication Guide.
Attention Healthcare Provider: Provide Medication Guide to patient prior to RITUXAN infusion.
