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Phase II multicenter study of oblimersen sodium, a Bcl‐2 antisense oligonucleotide, in combination with rituximab in patients with recurrent B‐cell non‐Hodgkin lymphoma
Author(s) -
Pro Barbara,
Leber Brian,
Smith Mitchell,
Fayad Luis,
Romaguera Jorge,
Hagemeister Fredrick,
Rodriguez Alma,
McLaughlin Peter,
Samaniego Felipe,
Zwiebel James,
Lopez Adriana,
Kwak Larry,
Younes Anas
Publication year - 2008
Publication title -
british journal of haematology
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.907
H-Index - 186
eISSN - 1365-2141
pISSN - 0007-1048
DOI - 10.1111/j.1365-2141.2008.07353.x
Subject(s) - rituximab , lymphoma , medicine , cancer research , oligonucleotide , hodgkin lymphoma , monoclonal , oncology , monoclonal antibody , immunology , chemistry , antibody , biochemistry , gene
Summary Oblimersen sodium plus rituximab was evaluated in relapsed/refractory B‐cell non‐Hodgkin lymphoma (NHL) patients. Oblimersen was administered as a continuous intravenous infusion at a daily dose of 3 mg/kg/d for 7 d on alternate weeks for 3 weeks. Rituximab was given at a weekly dose of 375 mg/m 2 for six doses. Patients with stable disease or objective response were allowed to receive a second course of treatment. The overall response rate (ORR) was 42% with 10 complete responses (CR) and eight partial responses (PR). Twelve (28%) patients achieved a minimal response or stable disease. Among the 20 patients with follicular lymphoma the ORR was 60% (eight CR, four PR). Three of the responders were refractory to prior treatment with rituximab, and two of the responses occurred in patients who had failed an autologous stem cell transplant. Median duration of response was 12 months. Most toxicities were low grade and reversible. In conclusion, oblimersen sodium can be safely combined with rituximab. The combination appears to be most beneficial in patients with indolent NHL and warrants further investigation in a large randomized trial.