Rituximab用於晚期濾泡性淋巴瘤的治療

濾泡性淋巴瘤是一種淋巴細胞異常增生的疾病，病程發展相對緩慢，存活時間長，但對於診斷時已是晚期且有臨床症狀的病人，必須立即給予適當治療，其中標靶藥物扮演相當重要的角色。Rituximab是抗CD20 的單株抗體，應用於濾泡性淋巴瘤可以單一或合併化學治療藥物做為誘導，亦可單一使用於維持治療，不僅能達到有效緩解，更與病人未來的存活息息相關。本文論述濾泡性淋巴瘤的臨床特性，並整理目前rituximab 與濾泡性淋巴瘤的相關研究結果及臨床應用。

Follicular lymphoma is a lymphoproliferative disorder that is characterized by indolent development with a relative long survival. Patients with advanced diseases and clinical events should; however, receive immediate treatment. Targeted therapy plays an important role in the treatment of follicular lymphoma. Rituximab is an anti-CD20 monoclonal antibody. When used in monotherapy or in combination with chemotherapy as an induction therapy or when given as a maintenance therapy, rituximab has resulted in not only high remission rate but also improved survival. This article reviewed the characteristics of follicular lymphoma. We also discussed current researches on the use of rituximab and the potential clinical applications of this monoclonal antibody for the management of follicular lymphoma.