Dr. McCulloch on Data Supporting the Use of R-BAC in MCL

Rory McCulloch, MD, vice chair, South West Peninsula, HaemSTAR, hematology registrar, University Hospitals, Plymouth, discusses data supporting the use of R-BAC (rituximab [Rituxan], cytarabine, and bendamustine) in mantle cell lymphoma (MCL).

Initial research in Italy led to the establishment of R-BAC as a standard therapy for patients with MCL. Both bendamustine and cytarabine are known to work very well in this disease, so it’s logical that the regimen would induce a synergistic effect and high response rates in patients, says McCulloch.

Although there are many treatment regimens to choose from for patients with MCL, R-BAC has been shown to induce particularly impressive response rates. In a retrospective study led by McCulloch, the response rate was approximately 85% in patients who had progressed on initial therapy with a BTK inhibitor. Several of these responses were quite durable, lasting over 1 year. This regimen is a great option, particularly for younger patients who are fit enough to receive an allograft transplant. However, age should not deter physicians from administering this regimen, he adds. With appropriate dose modifications, older patients can receive this regimen as well.