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This page contains brief information about tositumomab and iodine I 131 tositumomab as well as a collection of links to more information about the use of this drug, related news, and ongoing clinical trials.

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

Tositumomab and iodine I 131 tositumomab is a combination drug regimen approved by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) to treat certain types of non-Hodgkin lymphoma (NHL). It is used in patients who have not gotten better or have had a relapse after treatment with chemotherapy or rituximab. Tositumomab is given together with the radioactive drug iodine I 131 tositumomab, as radioimmunotherapy.

In radioimmunotherapy, a radioactive substance is attached to a monoclonal antibody, such as tositumomab. When injected into the body, monoclonal antibodies 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.

Tositumomab and iodine I 131 tositumomab combination is being studied in the treatment of other types of cancer.

FDA Approval for Tositumomab and Iodine I 131 Tositumomab - 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 - Detailed scientific definition and other names for this drug.

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

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

MedlinePlus Information on Tositumomab and Iodine I 131 Tositumomab - A lay language summary of important information about this drug that may include the following:

• warnings about this drug,
• what this drug is used for and how it is used,
• what you should tell your doctor before using this drug,
• what you should know about this drug before using it,
• other drugs that may interact with this drug, and
• possible side effects.

Drugs are often studied to find out if they can help treat or prevent conditions other than the ones they are approved for. This NLM patient information sheet applies only to approved uses of the drug. However, much of the information may also apply to unapproved uses that are being studied.

Clinical Trials for Tositumomab And Iodine I 131 Tositumomab - Check for trials from NCI's PDQ Cancer Clinical Trials Registry now accepting patients.

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