Rituxan Gains Two New NHL Indications

Genentech, Inc. and Biogen Idec, Inc. received approval from the FDA for two additional uses for Rituxan for patients with CD20-positive, B-cell non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma (NHL). One new indication is for first-line treatment of previously untreated patients with follicular NHL in combination with CVP (cyclophosphamide, vincristine and prednisolone) chemotherapy. The second is for the treatment of low-grade NHL in patients with stable disease or who achieve a partial or complete response following first-line treatment with CVP chemotherapy.

In February 2006, Rituxan in combination with CHOP (cyclophosphamide, doxorubicin, vincristine and prednisone) or other anthracycline-based chemotherapy was approved as first-line treatment for patients with diffuse large B-cell lymphoma (DLBCL). Rituxan was approved in 1997 as a single agent for patients with relapsed or refractory, low-grade or follicular CD20- positive, B-cell NHL.