Bendamustine HCL for the treatment of relapsed indolent non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma

Bendamustine is an alkylating agent which also shows properties of a purine analog. Because of its unique mechanism of action it shows activity in relapsed indolent lymphomas which are resistant to alkylating agents, purine analogs, and rituximab. Bendamustine has a favorable toxicity profile causing no alopecia and only a moderate hematotoxicity and gastrointestinal toxicity. Combinations of bendamustine with mitoxantrone and rituximab and with rituximab alone have been shown to be highly active in relapsed/refractory indolent lymphomas and mantle cell lymphomas achieving long lasting complete remissions. Because of only moderate toxicity these combinations can be applied safely in elderly patients who can be treated in an outpatient setting.