This patient-friendly article is about chemotherapy drug, Ibritumomab (Zevelin) which is used in the treatment of follicular lymphoma (a type of non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma. It is a monoclonal antibody which works by targeting the CD20 antigen on normal and malignant B-cells. It is an example of radio immunotherapy in that the antibody is attached to a radioactive substance (Yttrium 90) that kills the cancer cells. Because the stem cells in the bone marrow don’t have the CD20 antigen they can safely regenerate after treatment. It is generally used in combination with rituximab.
Side effects can include: allergic reaction whilst the drug is being administered, lowered resistance to infection, bruising and bleeding, flu-like symptoms, nausea and vomiting, diarrhoea, loss of appetite, skin rashes and joint pain.
Go to: 10 ways to improve your chemotherapy success and reduce side-effects
Other articles that you may find interesting are:
- A diet for Chemotherapy
- Immunotherapy overview
- A to Z Guide to Complementary Therapies
Go to: Return to the CANCERactive drug list