Obinutuzumab vs rituximab treatment for patients with advanced stage follicular lymphoma

This study compared rituximab (Rituxan)-based treatment to obinutuzumab (Gazyva)-based treatment in patients with advanced stage follicular lymphoma. The study concluded that obinutuzumab-based therapy leads to longer progression-free survival. 

Follicular lymphoma (FL) is a type of non-Hodgkin lymphoma (NHL). When rituximab was introduced, it significantly improved outcomes for FL patients. Since then, new targeted medications have been released. One of these medications is obinutuzumab.

Obinutuzumab has been used to treat other types of NHL and leukemia. It is unclear if rituximab or obinutuzumab is more effective in treating patients with FL. 

1202 patients participated in this study. 601 were randomized to receive rituximab-based treatment. They received 375 mg/m² of rituximab on day 1 of each cycle for 6-8 cycles. 601 were randomized to receive obinutuzumab-based treatment. They received 1000 mg of obinutuzumab on days 1, 8, and 15 of the first cycle and on day 1 of the next cycles for 6-8 cycles. All patients had advanced stage FL. If patients responded well to their assigned treatment, they continued maintenance treatment for 2 years. The average length of follow-up was 34.5 months.

341 patients in the rituximab group completed the maintenance therapy. 361 patients in the obinutuzumab group completed the maintenance therapy.

The 3-year progression free survival rate (time from treatment to disease progression) for the rituximab group was 73.3%. The 3-year progression free survival rate for the obinutuzumab group was significantly higher, 80.0%.

Patients in the obinutuzumab group had a 34% lower risk of progression, relapse, or death than patients in the rituximab group. 

Severe side effects were more common in the obinutuzumab group (74.6%) compared to the rituximab group (67.8%). These included infusion-related effects, nausea, and low white blood cell levels.

The authors concluded that obinutuzumab-based treatment leads to longer progression free survival than rituximab-based treatment in patients with advanced stage follicular lymphoma. 

Talk to your doctor about the risks and benefits of obinutuzumab-based chemotherapy compared to rituximab-based therapy.