Authors' objectives: Non-Hodgkin lymphoma (NHL) is the sixth most common tumor in the United States, tenth most common worldwide, and eleventh most common cancer in Europe. Indolent forms include follicular lymphoma, marginal zone lymphoma, lymphoplasmacytic lymphoma, and small lymphocytic lymphoma. NHL also includes mantle cell lymphoma and aggressive forms such as diffuse large B-cell lymphoma. Patients with NHL often respond to chemotherapy, but subsequently relapse. A rising number of patients with NHL are older, frail, have numerous comorbidities, or are otherwise unfit to receive standard chemotherapeutic treatments; therefore, less toxic, effective alternatives are needed. Description of Technology: Bendamustine is an alkylating agent that is currently approved for treatment of indolent B-cell NHL that has progressed after treatment with a rituximabcontaining regimen. Bendamustine is active against both quiescent and dividing cells and is synergistic with rituximab. The drug is administered as an intravenous infusion. The major toxicities of bendamustine are myelosuppression, gastrointestinal adverse events, and skin rash. The drug is excreted in feces and to a lesser extent in urine, and may be given to patients with mild hepatic impairment and those with mild to moderate renal impairment. Patient Population: Bendamustine is indicated for treatment of patients with indolent B-cell NHL that has progressed during or within 6 months of treatment with rituximab or a rituximab-containing regimen. This health technology assessment focuses on the use of bendamustine in combination with anti-CD20 agents for first-line treatment of patients with NHL. Clinical Alternatives: Alternative treatments for NHL include watchful waiting in selected patients, chemotherapeutic regimens, radioimmunotherapy, and stem cell transplantation. Standard treatments include anti-CD20 agents such as rituximab in combination with CHOP (cyclophosphamide, doxorubicin, vincristine, and prednisone), COP or CVP (cyclophosphamide, vincristine, and prednisone), or fludarabine-containing regimens. Induction and maintenance therapy with monoclonal antibodies to CD20 such as rituximab is standard care.

Project Status: Completed

Year Published: 2016

URL for published report: The report may be purchased from: http://www.hayesinc.com/hayes/crd/?crd=52026

English language abstract: An English language summary is available

Publication Type: Not Assigned

Country: United States

Organisation Name: HAYES, Inc.

Contact Address: 157 S. Broad Street, Suite 200, Lansdale, PA 19446, USA. Tel: 215 855 0615; Fax: 215 855 5218

Contact Name: saleinfo@hayesinc.com

Contact Email: saleinfo@hayesinc.com

Copyright: Winifred S. Hayes, Inc