Bendamustine: a review of its use in the management of indolent non-Hodgkin lymphoma.

Abstract

Bendamustine (Treanda, Ribomustin) is a bifunctional alkylating agent that also has potential antimetabolite properties, and only partial cross-resistance occurs between bendamustine and other alkylators. In patients with indolent non-Hodgkin lymphoma (NHL), bendamustine monotherapy achieved high objective response rates in those with rituximab-refractory disease in a pivotal noncomparative trial and a similarly designed smaller phase II study. Many of these heavily treated patients were also refractory to standard chemotherapy regimens. Several phase II trials demonstrated good response rates with single-agent bendamustine, or bendamustine in combination with rituximab, in patients with indolent NHL whose disease relapsed after (or was refractory to) chemotherapy. Phase III studies comparing combination regimens as first-line therapy in patients with indolent NHL showed no significant differences in response rates between bendamustine-containing regimens and standard regimens included in treatment guidelines. Bendamustine has been generally well tolerated in clinical trials and has a low propensity to induce alopecia. Results of ongoing trials will help to clarify the optimal role of bendamustine in indolent NHL. Available data indicate that it may be a particularly useful treatment option as monotherapy in patients with indolent NHL whose disease progressed during or following rituximab-based therapy, many of whom are also refractory to standard chemotherapy regimens.

• Authors: Greg L Plosker, Natalie J Carter
• Journal: Drugs (Drugs) Vol. 68 Issue 18 Pg. 2645-60 ( 2008) ISSN: 0012-6667 [Print] New Zealand
• PMID: 19093705 (Publication Type: Journal Article, Review)

Chemical References

• Antibodies, Monoclonal
• Antibodies, Monoclonal, Murine-Derived
• Antineoplastic Agents, Alkylating
• Nitrogen Mustard Compounds
• Rituximab
• Bendamustine Hydrochloride

Topics

• Antibodies, Monoclonal (therapeutic use)
• Antibodies, Monoclonal, Murine-Derived
• Antineoplastic Agents, Alkylating (metabolism, pharmacokinetics, therapeutic use)
• Antineoplastic Combined Chemotherapy Protocols (therapeutic use)
• Bendamustine Hydrochloride
• Clinical Trials as Topic
• Drug Resistance, Neoplasm
• Half-Life
• Humans
• Infusions, Intravenous
• Lymphoma, Non-Hodgkin (drug therapy, physiopathology)
• Neoplasm, Residual (drug therapy)
• Nitrogen Mustard Compounds (metabolism, pharmacokinetics, therapeutic use)
• Rituximab