Bendamustine

Bendamustine, also known as Treanda, is one of the two additional treatments that Dr. R has "put on the table" as possibilities for me. Interesting treatment; it's been used in Europe for years -- in East Germany, specifically, which gives you an idea of just how long it's been used (since there hasn't been an east Germany for about 20 years).

For the most part, Follicular NHL treatments follow a kind of risk/reward curve similar to stocks and bonds: more risk, greater potential for rewards. Harsher, more toxic treatment, better potential for a long remission. Bendamustine/Treanda is considered to be on the same part of that reward curve as CHOP: good chance for lasting remission. However, it's closer to the happy end of the risk curve: not nearly the same kind of toxicity as CHOP, as measured by things like nausea and hair loss.

Last month, a Japanese cancer jounral published the results of a phase 2 clinical trial of Bendamustine as a single agent (no Rituxin or other drugs taken with it, which is what Dr. R is considering for me). Results of the trial were pretty good, with about 90% of fNHL patients responding, with fairly minimal side effects.

Interesting that this was a phase 2 trial, given its success in the U.S. and Eurpoe, but I suppose each country has to do its own investigating before it can give approval to a treatment. Still, the results match up very well with those that I have read from studeis in our own and other countries. Seems like a good option at some point. Whether it will be my next option remains to be seen....