RITUXAN: FIRST FDA-APPROVED TREATMENT TO IMPROVE SURVIVAL FOR PATIENTS WITH THE AGGRESSIVE FORM OF NON-HODGKIN'S LYMPHOMA IN MORE THAN 25 YEARS

Story Summary:

Patients with non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma, cancer of the lymphoid tissue in which lymphocytes proliferate and grow uncontrollably, now have a new weapon in the battle against an aggressive form of the disease. The US Food and Drug Administration has approved Rituxan for use in the first-line treatment of patients with diffuse large B-cell CD20-positive, non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma (DLBCL), in combination with CHOP (cyclophosphamide, doxorubicin, vincristine and prednisone) or other anthracycline-based chemotherapy regimens.

With this approval, Rituxan in combination with chemotherapy becomes the first FDA-approved treatment to improve survival for patients with this type of Non-Hodgkin's Lymphoma since the introduction of a specific kind of chemotherapy called CHOP more than 25 years ago.

An estimated 360,000 Americans have NHL and more than 58,000 new cases are diagnosed annually.

Soundbites

• Sandra J. Horning, M.D., Chair, Eastern Cooperative Oncology Group
• Michael Picarella, Patient

B-Roll Includes

• Manufacturing Footage
• Doctor Patient Footage
• Patient Lifestyle

VIDEO PROVIDED BY: "Genentech Inc."