Radioimmunotherapy as the first line of treatment in non-Hodgkin lymphoma.

ABSTRACT

Non-Hodgkin lymphoma (NHL) is the most common hematologic malignancy. The estimated deaths and new cases of NHL in the USA in 2018 have reached 19,910 and 74,680, respectively, with 5-year survival rate of 71%. Therapeutic interventions for NHL consist of chemotherapy, radiation therapy and immunotherapy. Radioimmunotherapy (RIT) is a potential alternative treatment for NHL that is currently used in different lines of treatment. Studies show that nuclear medicine physicians and radiation oncologists are not yet certain about the proper line for administration of RIT. Herein, we have reviewed the efficiency and toxicity of RIT as the first line of treatment, and discussed potential novel indications, and strategies such as modifying induction therapy and using rituximab maintenance to optimize the efficiency of RIT as the first line of treatment. Our review indicates that it is more logical to postpone conventional therapies to the second or third lines of treatment instead of RIT.