In this study, 20 previously untreated elderly patients were treated with a novel combination of six cycles of CHOP chemotherapy followed by Zevalin given six to ten weeks later. The study, which had an overall response rate of 100%, including a 95% complete remission rate, indicated the efficacy, tolerability, and feasibility of this regimen for these patients.
Jack Singer, chief medical officer of Cell Therapeutics, said: “Although a small Phase II experience, these results in elderly lymphoma patients treated with Zevalin following CHOP without rituximab demonstrate high rates of complete remissions and overall survival and are consistent with the potential to use Zevalin as consolidation therapy in aggressive lymphoma. We continue to be impressed with the high rate of conversion of partial to complete remissions following Zevalin consolidation irrespective of whether or not rituximab therapy is utilized.”