Roche announces positive data for Rituxan

Roche has published positive data from a phase III trial of Rituxan/MabThera (rituximab) for patients with asymptomatic follicular lymphoma.

The study found that immediate administration of single-agent Rituxan/MabThera followed by continued use of the drug delayed the need for chemotherapy or radiotherapy in the patients.

It also revealed that immediate use of Rituxan/MabThera monotherapy decreased the risk of needing additional therapy by 80 percent when compared with a "watchful waiting" approach.

Follicular lymphoma is a common type of blood cancer and is normally treated only after symptoms appear.

"In this study, the use of Rituxan/MabThera delayed the need for additional treatment," said Hal Barron, head of global development and chief medical officer at Roche.

Dr Kirit Ardeshna of University College Hospital in London, who was chief investigator for the trial, said the treatment represents "another way of managing this disease in its early years".

Last month, Roche announced the launch of its new cobas b 123 POC system blood gas analyser in Europe.