Related pages Cancer Drug Information 1 Approval Process for New Cancer Treatments 2 Access to Investigational Drugs 3

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 ⁴ - 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 ⁵ - Detailed scientific definition and other names for this drug.

Biological Therapies for Cancer: Questions and Answers (06/13/2006) ⁶ - Information about the use of this drug to treat cancer.

The Making of a Monoclonal Antibody (06/13/2006) ⁷ - Information about the use of this drug to treat cancer.

MedlinePlus Information on Tositumomab and Iodine I 131 Tositumomab ⁸ - 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 ⁹ - Check for trials from NCI's PDQ Cancer Clinical Trials Registry now accepting patients.

Glossary Terms

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.

The individual unit that makes up the tissues of the body. All living things are made up of one or more cells.

Treatment with drugs that kill cancer cells.

Treatment using more than one anticancer drug.

Any substance, other than food, that is used to prevent, diagnose, treat or relieve symptoms of a disease or abnormal condition. Also refers to a substance that alters mood or body function, or that can be habit-forming or addictive, especially a narcotic.

An agency in the U.S. federal government whose mission is to protect public health by making sure that food, cosmetics, and nutritional supplements are safe to use and truthfully labeled. The Food and Drug Administration also makes sure that drugs, medical devices, and equipment are safe and effective, and that blood for transfusions and transplant tissue are safe. Also called FDA.

Use of a syringe and needle to push fluids or drugs into the body; often called a "shot."

A type of protein made in the laboratory that can locate and bind to substances in the body, including tumor cells. There are many kinds of monoclonal antibodies. Each monoclonal antibody is made to find one substance. Monoclonal antibodies are being used to treat some types of cancer and are being studied in the treatment of other types. They can be used alone or to carry drugs, toxins, or radioactive materials directly to a tumor.

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.

The use of high-energy radiation from x-rays, gamma rays, neutrons, protons, and other sources to kill cancer cells and shrink tumors. Radiation may come from a machine outside the body (external-beam radiation therapy), or it may come from radioactive material placed in the body near cancer cells (internal radiation therapy). Systemic radiation therapy uses a radioactive substance, such as a radiolabeled monoclonal antibody, that travels in the blood to tissues throughout the body. Also called irradiation and radiotherapy.

Giving off radiation.

A drug that contains a radioactive substance and is used to diagnose or treat disease, including cancer. Also called radiopharmaceutical.

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.

A treatment plan that specifies the dosage, the schedule, and the duration of treatment.

The return of signs and symptoms of cancer after a period of improvement.

A monoclonal antibody used to treat certain types of B-cell non-Hodgkin lymphoma and symptoms of rheumatoid arthritis. Monoclonal antibodies are made in the laboratory and can bind to substances in the body, including cancer cells. Rituximab binds to the protein called CD20, which is found on B-cells, and may kill cancer cells. Also called Rituxan.

A group or layer of cells that work together to perform a specific function.