[Contribution of radioimmunotherapy to the treatment of lymphoma].

Radioimmunotherapy (RIT) is an emerging treatment option for non-Hodgkin's lymphoma. Only Zevalin (Bayer Schering Pharma) radiolabeled with yttrium 90 ((90)Y) is approved in France for the treatment of adult patients with rituximab relapsed or refractory CD20+ follicular B-cell non-Hodgkin's lymphoma. This radioimmunotherapeutic agent consists of ibritumomab, a murine anti-CD20 monoclonal antibody, conjugated to the metal chelator tiuxetan for retention of the beta emitter (90)Y. This review presents the concept of RIT. The pharmacological characteristics of [(90)Y]-ibritumomab tiuxetan, the specificity of its preparation and its special precautions for use will be described. The other radionuclides and antibodies in development will also be mentioned.