Commentary on Abstract #420

Publication
Article
OncologyONCOLOGY Vol 14 No 3
Volume 14
Issue 3

Monoclonal antibody therapy has proven to be expensive, and, therefore, it is important to compare the cost-efficacy of a drug such as rituximab with other standard therapies for low-grade lymphoma. Two abstracts presented at the 1998 ASH

Monoclonal antibody therapy has proven to be expensive, and, therefore, it is important to compare the cost-efficacy of a drug such as rituximab with other standard therapies for low-grade lymphoma. Two abstracts presented at the 1998 ASH meeting (Sweetenham et al: Blood 92:415a [abstract 1715], 1998; McLaughlin et al: Blood 92:414a [abstract 1712], 1998) independently suggested that rituximab may be a more cost-effective approach than CHOP, fludarabine, or cladribine (Leustatin).

At the 1999 ASH meeting, Omnes et al (abstract #420) presented a retrospective analysis of data collected in France comparing CHOP (N = 21), rituximab (N = 50), and fludarabine (N = 28) in the treatment of relapsed, low-grade NHL. Surprisingly, 62% of patients given CHOP and 48% of those given fludarabine were treated as inpatients, for reasons that were not explained.

Rituximab was associated with fewer drug-related reactions requiring hospitalization and, therefore, was considered to be more cost-effective.

However, based on the small size of this analysis, the fact that only hematologic toxicities were considered, and the fact that neither of these chemotherapeutic agents should require inpatient administration, the generalizability of these results is questionable.

Articles in this issue

Comparative Economic Analysis of the Treatment of Relapsed Low-Grade B-Cell Non-Hodgkin’s Lymphoma (NHL) in France Using CHOP, Fludarabine, or Rituximab
FHIT Gene, Smoking, and Cervical Cancer
Final Report on the Safety and Efficacy of Retreatment With Rituximab for Patients With Non-Hodgkins Lymphoma
Prospective, Randomized, Controlled Study of Zevalin Radioimmunotherapy Compared to Rituximab Immunotherapy for B-Cell, Non-Hodgkins Lymphoma: Interim Results
IOM Medical Error Estimates Questioned, But Legislation Considered
Less Toxic Therapies for Hodgkin’s Disease May Reduce Secondary Cancers
Preserving Fertility in Young Women With Ovarian Cancer Does Not Decrease Survival
Iodine-131 Tositumomab for Patients With Transformed, Low-Grade Non-Hodgkin’s Lymphoma: Overall Clinical Trial Experience
Survival Rates Significantly Worse For African-Americans With Endometrial Cancer
Rituximab Has Significant Activity in Patients With Chronic Lymphocytic Leukemia
Responders to Rituximab Show Continued Tumor Regression Over Time and a Progression-Free Survival That Correlates With Response Classification
PhRMA Criticizes FDA’s Proposed Rule on Antibiotic Approvals
Phase II Study of Rituximab in Combination With CHOP in Patients With Previously Untreated Intermediate- or High-Grade Non-Hodgkin’s Lymphoma
New Antibiotic Effective in Treating Gram-Positive Bacteremia
Reduced-Dose Zevalin Radioimmunotherapy for Relapsed or Refractory B-Cell Non-Hodgkin’s Lymphoma Patients With Preexisting Thrombocytopenia: Report of Interim Results of a Phase II Trial
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