Related pages Drug Information Summaries 1 Approval Process for New Cancer Treatments 2 Access to Investigational Drugs: Q & A 3

This page contains brief information about ibritumomab tiuxetan and a collection of links to more information from the National Cancer Institute (NCI) and the Food and Drug Administration (FDA).

US Brand Name(s):		Zevalin
FDA Approved:		Yes

Ibritumomab tiuxetan is approved by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) to treat certain types of B-cell non-Hodgkin lymphoma (NHL). It is used in patients who have been treated with chemotherapy or with rituximab alone and have not gotten better or have had a relapse. Ibritumomab tiuxetan is combined with a radioactive substance and given with rituximab, as a type of radioimmunotherapy.

In radioimmunotherapy, radioactive monoclonal antibodies, such as radioactive ibritumomab tiuxetan, are injected into the body. They find and attach to cancer cells, and kill them, block their growth, or keep them from spreading. At the same time, the radiation is carried directly to the cancer cells. This works better than using a monoclonal antibody that is not radioactive. Also, because the radiation goes directly to the cancer cells, less radiation is absorbed by the body and there is less damage to healthy tissue.

Ibritumomab tiuxetan is being studied in the treatment of other types of cancer.

FDA Approval for Ibritumomab Tiuxetan ⁴ - Information from the FDA about the approval of this drug and the clinical trials that led to the approval.

Definition from the NCI Drug Dictionary ⁵ - Detailed scientific definition and other names for this drug.

Biological Therapies for Cancer: Questions and Answers (06/13/2006) ⁶ - Information about the use of this drug to treat cancer.

The Making of a Monoclonal Antibody (06/13/2006) ⁷ - Information about the use of this drug to treat cancer.

Clinical Trials for Ibritumomab Tiuxetan ⁸ - Check for trials from NCI's PDQ Cancer Clinical Trials Registry now accepting patients.

Glossary Terms

A type of cancer that forms in B cells (a type of immune system cell). B-cell lymphomas usually occur in adults and may be either indolent (slow-growing) or aggressive (fast-growing). There are many different types of B-cell lymphomas, and prognosis and treatment depend on the type and stage of cancer.

A term for diseases in which abnormal cells divide without control. Cancer cells can invade nearby tissues and can spread to other parts of the body through the blood and lymph systems. There are several main types of cancer. Carcinoma is cancer that begins in the skin or in tissues that line or cover internal organs. Sarcoma is cancer that begins in bone, cartilage, fat, muscle, blood vessels, or other connective or supportive tissue. Leukemia is cancer that starts in blood-forming tissue such as the bone marrow, and causes large numbers of abnormal blood cells to be produced and enter the blood. Lymphoma and multiple myeloma are cancers that begin in the cells of the immune system. Central nervous system cancers are cancers that begin in the tissues of the brain and spinal cord.

The individual unit that makes up the tissues of the body. All living things are made up of one or more cells.

Treatment with drugs that kill cancer cells.

FDA. An agency in the U.S. federal government whose mission is to protect public health by making sure that food, cosmetics, and nutritional supplements are safe to use and truthfully labeled. The Food and Drug Administration also makes sure that drugs, medical devices, and equipment are safe and effective, and that blood for transfusions and transplant tissue are safe. Also called FDA.

Use of a syringe and needle to push fluids or drugs into the body; often called a "shot."

A type of protein made in the laboratory that can locate and bind to substances in the body, including tumor cells. There are many kinds of monoclonal antibodies. Each monoclonal antibody is made to find one substance. Monoclonal antibodies are being used to treat some types of cancer and are being studied in the treatment of other types. They can be used alone or to carry drugs, toxins, or radioactive materials directly to a tumor.

Any of a large group of cancers of the immune system. Non-Hodgkin lymphomas can occur at any age and are often marked by enlarged lymph nodes, fever, and weight loss. There are many different types of non-Hodgkin lymphoma, which can be divided into aggressive (fast-growing) and indolent (slow-growing) types and can be classified as either B-cell or T-cell non-Hodgkin lymphoma. B-cell non-Hodgkin lymphomas include Burkitt lymphoma, diffuse large B-cell lymphoma, follicular lymphoma, immunoblastic large cell lymphoma, precursor B-lymphoblastic lymphoma, and mantle cell lymphoma. T-cell non-Hodgkin lymphomas include mycosis fungoides, anaplastic large cell lymphoma, and precursor T-lymphoblastic lymphoma. Lymphomas related to lymphoproliferative disorders following bone marrow or stem cell transplantation are usually B-cell non-Hodgkin lymphomas. Prognosis and treatment depend on the stage and type of disease. Also called NHL.

The use of high-energy radiation from x-rays, gamma rays, neutrons, protons, and other sources to kill cancer cells and shrink tumors. Radiation may come from a machine outside the body (external-beam radiation therapy), or it may come from radioactive material placed in the body near cancer cells (internal radiation therapy). Systemic radiation therapy uses a radioactive substance, such as a radiolabeled monoclonal antibody, that travels in the blood to tissues throughout the body. Also called radiotherapy and irradiation.

Giving off radiation.

A type of systemic radiation therapy in which a radioactive substance is linked to an antibody that locates and kills tumor cells when injected into the body.

The return of signs and symptoms of cancer after a period of improvement.

A monoclonal antibody used to treat certain types of B-cell non-Hodgkin lymphoma. Monoclonal antibodies are made in the laboratory and can locate and bind to substances in the body, including cancer cells. Rituximab binds to the protein called CD20, which is found on B-cells. Also called Rituxan.

A group or layer of cells that work together to perform a specific function.