Non-Hodgkin's Lymphoma - Is there room to emulate Rituxan's success?

Non-Hodgkin's lymphoma (NHL) is the most common hematological malignancy and is comprised of around 30 different disease subtypes. Each of these present with a distinct set histological, genetic and clinical characteristics. Treatment options in NHL include chemotherapy, targeted therapies, stem cell transplantation and radiotherapy.

Rituxan-based regimens constitute the mainstay of first-line treatment options in several NHL subtypes. Uptake of Rituxan in the maintenance setting for follicular lymphoma (FL) has allowed the drug to achieve further market penetration.

There is a lack of consensus over the treatment of relapsed and refractory disease in most NHL subtypes. Refractory patients are poorly served by currently available treatment options. Other unmet needs include detection of patients with aggressive lymphoma at high risk of relapse and an efficacious maintenance therapy for these patients.

The NHL late-phase pipeline is relatively active, with 10 Phase IIII drugs and 46 Phase II drugs. Monoclonal antibodies are among those agents that continue to demonstrate promising signs of clinical and commercial potential. However, Rituxan's status as market leader is unlikely to be challenged within the next 510 years.

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