Safety and efficacy of radioimmunotherapy (RIT) in treatment of non-Hodgkin's lymphoma in the community setting

Abstract Introduction Radioimmunotherapy (RIT) is a unique therapeutic modality that combines biologic and radiolytic mechanisms to induce tumor kill. RIT is underutilized in the community outpatient setting. Methods This is an institutional review of patients treated with RIT at St. John Hospital and Medical Center (SJHM of which 52% with follicular lymphoma (FL) and 46% with diffuse large B cell lymphoma (DLBCL). The majority of patients had relapsed or refractory disease (98%). Median duration of follow-up was 17months. The ORR was 73% with 44% complete remission (CR) rate and OS of 48months. The ORR was 79% with 58% CR rate and OS of 82months among FL patients. Among DLBCL patients, the ORR was 65% with 30% CR rate and OS of 39months. Response to last therapy before RIT was the only significant predictor of response to RIT and a significant predictor of OS in multivariate analyses. Prior exposure to EBRT did not predict response or survival in multivariate analyses. Toxicity was manageable and predominantly hematologic. Conclusions RIT is effective and feasible for use in the community outpatient setting. Advances in knowledge and implications for patient care Patients with B-cell NHL can safely receive RIT close to home. With some coordination of effort, it is not difficult for community-based cancer centers to implement this treatment modality.