Berlex’s Zevalin, recently approved in Canada, is indicated for the treatment of adult patients with a certain type of non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma.
Zevalin combines the targeting ability of an anti-CD20 monoclonal antibody with the cytotoxic power of beta radiation emitted by the Yttrium-90 (Y-90) isotope. Y-90 is a pure beta emitter, enabling routine out-patient administration. This means patients may return home or to their workplace after treatment.
Radio immunotherapy treats cancer with localized targeted radiation that does not have the side effects of chemotherapy or the invasiveness of surgery, thereby improving quality of life while decreasing healthcare costs.
“Radio-immunotherapy is such a big step forward in the treatment of lymphoma because it destroys targeted cancer cells and it is delivered in only two visits. It has many benefits to the patient,” said Alyssa Rolf, Lymphoma Foundation Canada board president. “There have been good results in other countries to date so it is great that this drug is now available for patients in Canada.”