90Y-ibritumomab tiuxetan in B-cell non-Hodgkin lymphomas: Real-world data from the United Arab Emirates

ABSTRACT

Introduction

B-cell non-Hodgkin lymphomas (NHL) are significant contributors to cancer-related mortality. In this single-arm, retrospective cohort study, we aimed to examine the outcomes of a radioimmunotherapeutic modality, 90Y-labelled ibritumomab tiuxetan (90YIT) in B-cell NHLs.

Methods

We conducted this study based on the data of the lymphoma registry of the "Anonymized for Review". All NHL patients subjected to 90YIT were eligible for inclusion. As the country lacked a national autologous stem cell transplantation (ASCT) center, many ASCT-eligible patients received 90YIT. We investigated overall (OS) and event-free survival (EFS) and safety outcomes.

Results

Between 2004 and 2008, 54 of 111 B-cell NHL patients received RIT. The therapy was applied as first-line treatment in 18 cases (33.3%) and as second- or later-line treatment in 36 cases (66.7%). All patients were evaluable for response (Table 1, Supplementary Table 1). In the first-line group consisting mainly follicular lymphoma cases, three of 18 cases died (16.7%) during follow-up (range: 22-67 months); median OS was not reached. No progression occurred after treatment (median EFS: 36.5 months [Q₁-Q₃: 30.5-44 months]). In the second- or later-line group consisting mainly diffuse large B-cell lymphoma cases, three of 36 cases died (8.3%) during follow-up (range: 4-68 months), median OS was not reached. One case of progression was registered (median EFS: 33 months [Q₁-Q₃: 30.5-44 months]). 90YIT had an acceptable short- and long-term safety profile.

Conclusion

The findings implicate that NHL patients may benefit from 90YIT as salvage treatment if ASCT is not available; however, this should be validated in randomized studies.