The antibody may or may not be tagged with chemotherapy or radioactive substances. One such agent is MabThera used in the treatment recurrent low grade Non-Hodgkin's Lymphoma , which often bears the CD20 antigen on the surface of the lymphoma cells. The optimal dose and regime are still being worked out, and trials are being actively conducted in many centres.
Preliminary results are very encouraging.
Side effects are often seen only in the first dose which therefore demands hospitalisation for observation. Low grade fever and mild allergic manifestations are the commoner adverse effects. In addition to Antibody therapy, some other agents which modify the immune response to cancers include Interferon . The drug may be used in the treatment of Chronic myeloid leukaemia , the quiescent phase of Myeloma , some lymphomas and myeloproliferative disorders. CanCare has been prepared for educational purposes only and is not designed to provide medical advice or professional services.