We're getting close to one of those times of the year when a whole bunch of research on lymphoma is going to be reported: a big conference in early June. More as it becomes available (that is, when researchers and especially drug companies start sending out enthusiastic press releases about clinical trial results).
For now, though, we can get into the swing of it with some research results from Clinical Oncology News: CHOP (the chemo-combo gold standard for some aggressive NHLs, and an option for Follicular NHL) gets similar results when combined with either Rituxan or RadioImmunoTherapy (RIT), the radiation-enhanced version of Rituxan.
The study actually took place from 2001-2008, but needed three additional years of follow-up before results could be confirmed.
Just under 500 patients were enrolled in the study, with about half being given CHOP with Rituxan, and the other half, CHOP with RIT. The CHOP-R group had an 85% response rate, with 41% receiving a Complete Response. The CHOP-RIT group had an 86% response rate, with 46% getting a complete response.
Here's the strange thing: in some ways, the study is already out of date. There have been so many new treatments developed since 1999 that, really, the debate about which version of CHOP+ to give doesn't really matter anymore -- at least for Follicular NHL patients.
What is significant, though, is the success that patients had with RIT.
The article quotes Dr. Rebecca Elstrom, from Weill-Cornell (and who's slowly becoming a Lymphoma Rock Star -- let's call her an opening act for now), who says that the study shows that RIT "has a role in up-front therapy."
I think whatever love the NHL community had for RIT has cooled off again, but it's great to see that another study has given it a little boost, and kept it in people's minds. We'll see if it stays there.
As usual, it's just always good to know there's another option.
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