Obinutuzumab with bendamustine for treating follicular lymphoma after rituximab

1.1 Obinutuzumab with bendamustine followed by obinutuzumab maintenance is recommended, within its marketing authorisation, as an option for treating follicular lymphoma that did not respond or progressed up to 6 months after treatment with rituximab or a rituximab-containing regimen. It is recommended only if the company provides it according to the commercial arrangement.

Why the committee made these recommendations

Evidence from the Cancer Drugs Fund is limited but appears to support the clinical trial evidence. This evidence is in people who had rituximab as first-line treatment. It shows that when follicular lymphoma has not responded well enough (refractory) to rituximab, obinutuzumab with bendamustine improves how long people have before their disease progresses and how long they live compared with bendamustine alone.

Cost-effectiveness estimates for obinutuzumab with bendamustine are in the range usually considered a cost-effective use of NHS resources. Therefore, it is recommended.