Rituximab: A Best Treatment for non-Hodgkin lymphoma

The medication rituximab specifically is a genetically engineered chimeric murine or human monoclonal antibody directed against the CD20 antigen that exists on the surface of normal as well as malignant B lymphocytes. The antibody mainly is an IgG1 kappa immunoglobulin that contains murine light and heavy-chain variable region sequences and the human constant region sequences. Rituximab was originally approved by the U.S. FDA in the year of 1997 as a single agent in order to treat patients with B-cell Non-Hodgkin's Lymphoma (NHL), however, has now been approved for several other conditions. 

How Rituximab Is Administered:

rituximab 500 mg injection should be administered as an infusion into veins. It is given over a few hours. The infusion is initiated gradually, and in case the patient does not have any kind of reactions to the drug, the infusion rate can be increased every hour until infusion is finished.

It should be administered on a weekly basis for 4-8 weeks when it is given alone. When given together with chemo, it is recommended to be given on the first day of each cycle of chemo for each of the 6-8 cycles.

Possible Side Effects: The possible rituximab side effects are as follows:

• Fever
• Chills
• Cough
• Rash
• Itchiness
• Dizziness
• Back pain
• Nausea
• Upset stomach
• Sweating
• Nervousness
• Muscle stiffness
• Numbness
• Flu-like symptoms
• Nasal discharge
• Fall in blood counts

How rituximab (Reditux) works: Reditux 500mg Injection specifically is a monoclonal antibody. It is believed to targets a protein named CD20 on the surface of the leukaemia as well as lymphoma cells. It basically sticks to all the founded CD20 proteins. After then the cells of the immune system selects the marked cells and destroy them.

Pregnancy: It is unspecified if use of Reditux 500mg Injection during pregnancy is safe for the fetus or newborn baby. 

Non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma Facts:

• Non-Hodgkin's lymphoma (NHL) is cancer that mainly originates in the lymphatic system. It represents a group of different cancers.
• There are numerous subtypes of NHL, each requiring different treatments.
• The non-Hodgkin's lymphoma symptoms and signs include: weight loss, swollen lymph nodes, fever, and night sweats.
• NHL stages range from 1 to 4. Cancer staging is necessary in order to determine non-Hodgkin's lymphoma treatment as well as predict the possible outcomes of the treatment.

Other Drugs for non-Hodgkin Lymphoma: There are some other Drugs Approved for non-Hodgkin Lymphoma, which are as follows:

• Adcetris (Brentuximab Vedotin)
• Aliqopa (Copanlisib Hydrochloride)
• Arranon (Nelarabine)
• Beleodaq (Belinostat)
• Bendeka (Bendamustine Hydrochloride) 
• BiCNU (Carmustine)
• Brukinsa (Zanubrutinib)
• Calquence (Acalabrutinib)
• Copiktra (Duvelisib)
• Folotyn (Pralatrexate)
• Gazyva (Obinutuzumab)
• Imbruvica (Ibrutinib)
• Intron A (Recombinant Interferon Alfa-2b)
• Istodax (Romidepsin)
• Keytruda (Pembrolizumab)
• Kymriah (Tisagenlecleucel)
• Leukeran (Chlorambucil)
• Monjuvi (Tafasitamab-cxix)
• Mozobil (Plerixafor)
• Ontak (Denileukin Diftitox)
• Polivy (Polatuzumab Vedotin-piiq)
• Poteligeo (Mogamulizumab-kpkc)
• Revlimid (Lenalidomide)
• Rituxan Hycela (Rituximab and Hyaluronidase Human)
• Tazverik (Tazemetostat Hydrobromide)
• Tecartus (Brexucabtagene Autoleucel)
• Treanda (Bendamustine Hydrochloride)
• Trexall (Methotrexate Sodium)
• Truxima (Rituximab)
• Velcade (Bortezomib)
• Venclexta (Venetoclax)
• Xalkori (Crizotinib)
• Xpovio (Selinexor)
• Zolinza (Vorinostat)
• Zydelig (Idelalisib)
• Yescarta (Axicabtagene Ciloleucel)
• Zevalin (Ibritumomab Tiuxetan)

FAQ's

Is lymphoma hard to diagnose?

Typically, the diagnosis of lymphoma is not hard. Like all other cancers, a lymphoma diagnosis requires a biopsy. Majority of the biopsies are now core needle biopsies of the lymph nodes. Infrequently the surgical removal of a lymph node is needed.

What is the difference between Hodgkin's and non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma symptoms?

Hodgkin lymphomas most often arise in the upper part of the body (the neck, underarms, or chest). Non-Hodgkin lymphoma usually arises in the lymph nodes throughout the body, but may also occur in the normal organs. Patients with the either sort may have signs such as fever, weight loss, and night sweats.

What are the most common side effects during treatment with rituximab?

The most common side effects during treatment with Rituximab 500 mg are: 

• body aches
• tiredness
• nausea
• infusion-related reactions
• infections (may include fever, chills)

What is the success rate of rituximab?

Rituximab along with bendamustine was studied in a phase-2 trial in patients with the relapsed disease. This combination offered very effective outcomes, with an ORR of 92%.

What is the cost of rituximab injection in india? 

The cost of rituximab injection in India may vary depending on the pharmaceutical wholesaler and of course the brand you choose. Prices of rituximab may range from 23,125 INR to 80,000 INR for a supply of vial of 1 injection. 

Reditux 500mg Injection is prescribed for: