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Cancer Drug Information

  • Posted: 02/26/2008
  • Updated: 06/27/2011

Ibritumomab Tiuxetan

listen 1  (ih-brih-TOO-moh-mab ty-UK-seh-tan)

This page contains brief information about ibritumomab tiuxetan and a collection of links to more information about the use of this drug, research results, and ongoing clinical trials.

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

Use in Cancer

Ibritumomab tiuxetan is approved to treat:

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

More About Ibritumomab Tiuxetan

Definition from the NCI Drug Dictionary 2 - Detailed scientific definition and other names for this drug.

MedlinePlus Information on Ibritumomab Tiuxetan 3 - 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 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.

Biological Therapies for Cancer: Questions and Answers 4 - Information about the use of this drug to treat cancer.

Targeted Cancer Therapies 5 - Information about the use of this drug to treat cancer.

Research Results

The Making of a Monoclonal Antibody 6 - Information about the use of this drug to treat cancer.

Clinical Trials Accepting Patients

Find Clinical Trials for Ibritumomab Tiuxetan 7 - Check for trials from NCI's list of cancer clinical trials now accepting patients.

Important: The drug information on this page is meant to be educational. It is not a substitute for medical advice. The information may not cover all possible uses, actions, interactions, or side effects of this drug, or precautions to be taken while using it. Please see your health care professional for more information about your specific medical condition and the use of this drug.


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Glossary Terms

B-cell lymphoma (…lim-FOH-muh)
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.
cancer (KAN-ser)
A term for diseases in which abnormal cells divide without control and can invade nearby tissues. Cancer cells can also spread to other parts of the body through the blood and lymph systems. There are several main types of cancer. Carcinoma is a cancer that begins in the skin or in tissues that line or cover internal organs. Sarcoma is a cancer that begins in bone, cartilage, fat, muscle, blood vessels, or other connective or supportive tissue. Leukemia is a 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. Also called malignancy.
chemotherapy (KEE-moh-THAYR-uh-pee)
Treatment with drugs that kill cancer cells.
non-Hodgkin lymphoma (non-HOJ-kin lim-FOH-muh)
Any of a large group of cancers of lymphocytes (white blood cells). Non-Hodgkin lymphomas can occur at any age and are often marked by lymph nodes that are larger than normal, fever, and weight loss. There are many different types of non-Hodgkin lymphoma. These types can be divided into aggressive (fast-growing) and indolent (slow-growing) types, and they can be formed from either B-cells or T-cells. B-cell non-Hodgkin lymphomas include Burkitt lymphoma, chronic lymphocytic leukemia/small lymphocytic lymphoma (CLL/SLL), 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 that occur after 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.
radioactive (RAY-dee-oh-AK-tiv)
Giving off radiation.
radioimmunotherapy (RAY-dee-oh-IH-myoo-noh-THAYR-uh-pee)
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.
relapse (REE-laps)
The return of a disease or the signs and symptoms of a disease after a period of improvement.
rituximab (rih-TUK-sih-mab)
A drug used to treat certain types of B-cell non-Hodgkin lymphoma. It is also used with other drugs to treat chronic lymphocytic leukemia and rheumatoid arthritis. It is being studied in the treatment of other types of cancer and other conditions. Rituximab binds to a protein called CD20, which is found on B-cells, and may kill cancer cells. It is a type of monoclonal antibody. Also called Rituxan.

Table of Links

1http://www.cancer.gov/PublishedContent/Media/CDR/Media/721009.mp3
2http://www.cancer.gov/Templates/drugdictionary.aspx?CdrID=43080
3http://www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/druginfo/meds/a609012.html
4http://www.cancer.gov/cancertopics/factsheet/Therapy/biological
5http://www.cancer.gov/cancertopics/factsheet/Therapy/targeted
6http://www.cancer.gov/ncicancerbulletin/NCI_Cancer_Bulletin_061306/page4
7http://www.cancer.gov/Search/ClinicalTrialsLink.aspx?id=43080&idtype=1
8http://www.cancer.gov/cancertopics/druginfo/alphalist
9http://www.cancer.gov/cancertopics/druginfo/drug-page-index
10http://www.cancer.gov/clinicaltrials/learningabout/approval-process-for-cancer-
drugs
11http://www.cancer.gov/cancertopics/factsheet/Therapy/investigational-drug-access