monoclonal antibodies in non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma

24] is a relatively recent introduction. RIT has been proven to be effective in follicular non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma (NHL) and clinical trials are continuing in this and other forms of NHL, as well as other haematological malignancies. It remains a challenge to deliver sufficient radiation dose with RIT to treat solid tumours, but there has been some progress in clinical trials of locally administered RIT, for instance studies using intra-peritoneal administration to treat malignant ascites [25].

It seems apparent that any text dealing with RIT will be superseded rapidly. In 2005, just two therapeutic radiolabelled antibodies were approved by the FDA for use in the USA, ⁹⁰Y ibritumomab tiuxetan (Zevalin®) and ¹³¹I. tositumomab (Bexxar®).

In both cases:

• the antibody is targeted to CD20, an antigen produced by both malignant and normal B-cells

• the approval is for the treatment of relapsed follicular NHL which is refractory to chemotherapy

• the dose limiting toxicity is haematological.

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