Mantle cell lymphoma is a type of Non-Hodgkins lymphoma. It is a cancer that forms in the cells of the lymph system. Mantle cell lymphoma is considered to be a low-grade and slow growing lymphoma.
The standard of care treatment is usually the chemotherapy combination called MCP, mitoxantrone, chlorambucil, and prednisolone.
The Journal of Clinical Oncology says that the addition of Rituxan (rituximab) to the chemo combination of MCP as initial therapy can improve long term survival rates.
Since Rituxan has proved to have anti-cancer responses in other forms of NHL, researchers continue to evaluate how it can work in the treatment of various types of Non-Hodgkins lymphoma.
Researchers from Germany conducted a clinical trial that included 358 patients. The results showed that anti-cancer responses occurred in 92 percent of patients who were treated with Rituxan plus MCP compared to 75 percent in those treated with MCP alone. At four years overall survival was 87 percent for patients treated with Rituxan plus MCP compared with 74 percent overall survival for those treated with only MCP.
If you are diagnosed with mantle cell lymphoma you should ask you doctor about including Rituxan in your initial treatment plan.
