Obinutuzumab vs. Rituximab for Follicular Lymphoma: An Update

Obinutuzumab modestly improved outcomes but increased toxicity, depending partly on the chemotherapy used.

The prior industry-sponsored, multicenter, phase III GALLIUM trial (NEJM JW Oncol Hematol Dec 2017 and N Engl J Med 2017; 377:1331) showed that adding obinutuzumab versus rituximab to chemotherapy not only produced longer responses in previously untreated patients with advanced follicular lymphoma but also a higher rate of severe adverse events.

Now, investigators report more mature efficacy and safety data as well as the impact of chemotherapy backbone, which was bendamustine for 57% of patients, CHOP (cyclophosphamide, doxorubicin, vincristine, and prednisone) for 33%, and CVP (cyclophosphamide, vincristine, and prednisone) for 10%.

At a median follow-up of 41 months, progression-free survival (the primary endpoint) and time to next lymphom…

Reviewing Author

Michael E. Williams, MD, ScM

Disclosures

Consultant/Advisory BoardAbbVie; AstraZeneca; Beigene; Janssen; Pharmacyclics

Grant/Research SupportJanssen

Editorial BoardsAmerican Board of Internal Medicine (ABIM) Hematology Longitudinal Knowledge Approval Committee

Michael E. Williams, MD, ScM

Disclosures

Consultant/Advisory BoardAbbVie; AstraZeneca; Beigene; Janssen; Pharmacyclics

Grant/Research SupportJanssen

Editorial BoardsAmerican Board of Internal Medicine (ABIM) Hematology Longitudinal Knowledge Approval Committee

Obinutuzumab vs. Rituximab for Follicular Lymphoma: An Update

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Reviewing Author