A recent study suggests that adding rituximab to a high‐dose methotrexate‐based combination chemotherapy could prolong overall survival as well as progression-free survival for patients with primary central nervous system lymphoma, a rare and aggressive form of lymphoma.
A recent study suggests that adding rituximab to a high‐dose methotrexate (HD‐MTX)‐based combination chemotherapy could prolong overall survival (OS) as well as progression-free survival (PFS) for patients with primary central nervous system lymphoma (PCNSL), a rare and aggressive form of lymphoma.
Since 2000, the preferred front‐line treatment for PCNSL has been HD‐MTX, with or without whole‐brain radiotherapy (WBRT), although there is no consensus about the most effective chemotherapy regimen. More frequently, however, rituximab plus combination chemotherapy is being used for these patients, who generally have poor outcomes.
To evaluate the survival benefit of adding rituximab, researchers searched the electronic databases, MEDLINE, EMBASE, COCHRANE, Web of Science, and SCOPUS to retrieve clinical studies; a total of 5 articles were included. Two of them were used to conduct qualitative meta‐analysis. Hazards ratios (HRs) with 95% confidence intervals (CIs) were pooled across studies using a random‐effects model.
The studies compared the OS between rituximab group and the control group. The OS was reported by median months of PFS, HR with 95% CI, or percent of OS for 2 years.
Three of the 5 studies reported overall OS by median month, in which OS was longer in the group with added rituximab than in the control group.
The other 2 studies presented OS as HR with 95% CI; the HRs between the rituximab group and the control group were 0.63 (95% CI, 0.42‐1.02), and 0.73 (95% CI, 0.35‐1.52). The risk of heterogeneity was very low between the 2 studies (Q‐value = .859, P = .354; I2 = 0.000). When the 2 studies were combined with a fixed effect model, the pooling estimate of HR was 0.604 with 95% CI of 0.413 to 0.883 (P <.01).
The meta‐analysis on PFS suggests that there was no significant heterogeneity between the studies, the authors said.
Reference
Lee W, Go S, Kwon O. The role of rituximab in primary central nervous system lymphoma (PCNSL): A systematic review and meta‐analysis. Presented at: 15th International Conference on Malignant Lymphoma Palazzo dei Congressi, June 18-22, 2019; Lugano, Switzerland. Abstract 424.
Biosimilars Oncology Roundup for June 2024—Podcast Edition
July 7th 2024On this episode of Not So Different, we review biosimilar news coming out of June, with clinical trial results from conferences and a study showcasing how to overcome economic and noneconomic barriers to oncology biosimilars.
Similar Survival, Safety for Bevacizumab Biosimilar vs Originator in Colorectal Cancer
February 8th 2025A retrospective observational study found no significant differences in progression-free survival or safety in patients with colorectal cancers in Japan treated with ABP 215, Amgen’s bevacizumab biosimilar, or reference bevacizumab (Avastin), and estimated cost savings of 800,000 Japanese yen (approximately $5100) per patient with the biosimilar.
A New Chapter: How 2023 Will Shape the US Biosimilar Space for 2024 and Beyond
December 31st 2023On this episode of Not So Different, Cencora's Brian Biehn and Corey Ford take a look back at major policy and regulatory advancements in 2023 and how these changes will alter the space going forward.
The Biosimilar Void: 90% of Biologics Coming Off Patent Will Lack Biosimilars
February 5th 2025Of the 118 biologics losing exclusivity over the next decade, only 10% have biosimilars in development, meaning a vast majority of biologics have no pipeline, which limits savings potential for the health care system.
A Banner Year for Biosimilars: The 19 FDA Approvals From 2024
January 21st 2025In 2024, the FDA approved 19 biosimilars across various therapeutic areas, including the first biosimilars for ustekinumab and denosumab, marking significant progress in expanding treatment options and market competition.