Rituximab for non-hodgkin's lymphoma: a review of the clinical and cost- effectiveness and guidelines
Ndegwa S, Spry C
Record ID 32011001202
English
Authors' recommendations:
In summary, there is clear evidence to support the addition of rituximab to chemotherapy in patients with previously untreated diffuse large B-cell lymphoma and patients with previously untreated or relapsed/refractory follicular lymphoma. Several economic evaluations have suggested that rituximab is a cost-effective option in the United States and Europe. A Canadian costing study indicated that treatment with rituximab reduces follow-up hospitalization costs in patients with previously untreated diffuse large B-cell lymphoma. Current guidelines recommend rituximab for the first-line treatment of patients with previously untreated diffuse large B-cell lymphoma or follicular lymphoma. The guidelines also recommend rituximab for second-line treatment in patients with relapsed or refractory follicular lymphoma and as maintenance therapy for patients with follicular lymphoma. Although Health Canada has approved rituximab in combination with specific chemotherapy regimens, evidence-based guidelines for the optimal chemotherapy regimen to combine with rituximab, or the schedule and duration for maintenance therapy have yet to be established. Until further information is available, the strengths and limitations of the available evidence, clinical experience, and institution-specific budgets should be considered when making policy decisions regarding the use of rituximab in patients with non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma.
Details
Project Status:
Completed
Year Published:
2010
English language abstract:
An English language summary is available
Publication Type:
Not Assigned
Country:
Canada
MeSH Terms
- Antibodies, Monoclonal, Murine-Derived
- Lymphoma, Non-Hodgkin
Contact
Organisation Name:
Canadian Agency for Drugs and Technologies in Health
Contact Address:
600-865 Carling Avenue, Ottawa, ON K1S 5S8 Canada. Tel: +1 613 226 2553; Fax: +1 613 226 5392;
Contact Name:
requests@cadth.ca
Contact Email:
requests@cadth.ca
Copyright:
Canadian Agency for Drugs and Technologies in Health (CADTH)
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