CHOP-Zevalin(R) Investigational Regimen Produces 95% Complete Remission and 75% Estimated Two Year Progression-Free Survival in Elderly Patients with Diffuse Large B-cel...( European phase II study of 20 pati...)

European phase II study of 20 patients reported in Annals of Oncology

SEATTLE, March 5 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- Cell Therapeutics, Inc. (CTI) (Nasdaq: CTIC; MTA) today announced the publication, by two European institutions, of results of a limited phase II study of CHOP chemotherapy (cyclophosphamide, doxorubicin, vincristine, and prednisone) followed by administration of Zevalin(R) (Ibritumomab Tiuxetan) in elderly patients (60 years of age or older) with previously untreated diffuse large B-cell lymphoma (DLBCL). In this study, 20 previously untreated elderly patients were treated with a novel combination of six cycles of CHOP chemotherapy followed by Zevalin given six to ten weeks later. The study, which had an overall response rate (ORR) of 100 percent, including a 95 percent complete remission (CR) rate, indicated the efficacy, tolerability, and feasibility of this regimen for these patients. Results of the study were reported in the online edition of February 2008 Annals of Oncology. CTI acquired the U.S. rights to Zevalin in December, 2007.

"Although a small phase II experience, these results in elderly lymphoma patients treated with Zevalin following CHOP without rituximab demonstrate high rates of complete remissions and overall survival and are consistent with the potential to use Zevalin as consolidation therapy in aggressive lymphoma," noted Jack W. Singer, M.D., Chief Medical Officer of CTI. "We continue to be impressed with the high rate of conversion of partial to complete remissions following Zevalin consolidation irrespective of whether or not rituximab therapy is utilized. This publication demonstrates this in elderly patients with DLBCL while similar data in indolent lymphomas were reported at ASH 2007 fr
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