Aggressive non-Hodgkin's lymphoma is the third fastest growing cancer with over two million patients suffering from the disease worldwide. MabThera, the first monoclonal antibody for the treatment of non-Hodgkin's lymphoma, is Roche's fourth biggest product and a significant pillar in its oncology portfolio. Previously, standard chemotherapy had only a 30 - 40 per cent cure rate in a disease that can be rapidly fatal. A significant survival at 1 year Risk of death reduced by half Improved disease-free survival at 1 year A very high complete remission rate.
Patients experiencing a complete remission have a higher chance of being cured.
The filing for approval of MabThera in aggressive NHL is based on interim results from this phase III study conducted by the GELA group, a large cancer co-operative group of more than 110 institutions in France, Belgium and Switzerland. It then recruits the body's natural defences to attack and kill the marked B-cells. Stem cells present in the bone marrow lack the CD20 antigen, allowing healthy B-cells to regenerate after treatment and return to normal levels within several months. To date, more than 125,000 patients in over 55 countries have been treated with MabThera. This new indication could add substantially to MabThera's sales.