1.1 Rituximab is recommended for use in combination with a regimen of cyclophosphamide, doxorubicin, vincristine and prednisolone (CHOP) for the first-line treatment of people with CD20-positive diffuse large-B-cell lymphoma at clinical stage II, III or IV (see Section 2.3). Rituximab is not recommended for use when CHOP is contraindicated.
1.2 The clinical and cost effectiveness of rituximab in patients with localised disease (Stage I, see Section 2.3) has not been established. It is recommended that rituximab be used in these circumstances only as part of ongoing or new clinical studies.
1.3 A specialist in the treatment of lymphomas should supervise the use of rituximab in combination with CHOP for the treatment of diffuse large-B-cell lymphoma.