Y-ibritumomab-tiuxetan as a therapeutic alternative for follicular lymphoma (FL): A single-center experience.

BACKGROUND

Follicular lymphoma (FL) is the most frequent indolent lymphoma subtype in adults. Maintenance therapy with rituximab is frequently applied to FL patients with complete or partial response following initial chemoimmunotherapy. However, radioimmunotherapy with Y-ibritumomab-tiuxetan represents a therapeutic alternative.

METHODS

To compare the clinical and the prognostic impact of both therapies, a study collective of n = 56 patients diagnosed with indolent B-cell lymphoma was retrospectively investigated. The study collective was subdivided into two groups: n = 36 patients treated with rituximab maintenance therapy vs n = 20 patients treated with Y-ibritumomab-tiuxetan.

RESULTS

No prognostic differences for performance status, FLIPI score, gender, or B-symptoms were found for Y-ibritumomab-tiuxetan or rituximab maintenance therapy. Overall survival rates and progression-free survival did not differ between both maintenance therapies.

CONCLUSION

Our retrospective single-center analysis of two patient groups without major differences in prognostic parameters revealed similar outcome with two different maintenance therapies. Hence, Y-ibritumomab-tiuxetan therapy might offer a valuable alternative treatment option for FL patients with partial response. However, large prospective trials are needed to confirm the reported findings.