Latest Cancer TreatmentsDr. Mohammadreza Dabiri
Dr. Mohammadreza Dabiriفارسی
Treatment regimen

BR regimen (bendamustine and rituximab)

Indolent lymphomas (follicular, marginal zone) and mantle cell lymphoma

Updated: 28 October 20261 min read3 references

Summary for doctors

  • First line in indolent and mantle cell lymphomas in suitable patients [1].
  • Longer progression-free survival and less toxicity than R-CHOP [1].
  • Prolonged lymphopenia: consider pneumocystis and herpes prophylaxis.

Dose and schedule

BR

Follicular, marginal zone, mantle cell lymphoma, WaldenströmCycle length: Every 28 days

Follicular, marginal zone, mantle cell lymphoma, Waldenström

DrugDoseRouteSchedule
Bendamustine90 mg/m²IVDays 1 and 2
Rituximab375 mg/m²IVDay 1
Cycle length
Every 28 days
Duration
Up to 6 cycles

As in StiL NHL1 [1].

Dose source: [3].

Evidence: StiL NHL1 (2013)

Doses follow the trial protocol, guideline or official drug label (source given in the notes of each regimen). Before prescribing, check blood counts, renal and hepatic function, drug interactions and the patient’s condition, and adjust the dose according to the drug label.

Premedication and supportive care

  • Before anti-CD20 treatment: HBsAg, hepatitis B core antibody (anti-HBc) and anti-HBs; if HBsAg or anti-HBc is positive, prophylactic antiviral treatment (entecavir or tenofovir) from the start until at least 12 months after the last dose [2].
  • Moderate antiemetics; co-trimoxazole and aciclovir prophylaxis in many centres; irradiated blood products.

Monitoring and dose adjustment

  • Blood counts before each cycle; skin rash (especially with allopurinol).
  • CMV reactivation and opportunistic infections with prolonged lymphopenia.

Main evidence

Show detailsHide

StiL NHL1: median progression-free survival 69.5 months with BR vs 31.2 months with R-CHOP, with less hair loss, neuropathy and infection [1].

Related cancer types

LeukaemiaLymphoma

Treatment regimens (physicians)

R-CHOP regimen: dose, schedule and practical pointsPola-R-CHP in DLBCLABVD in Hodgkin lymphoma and AVD after a negative PETBV-AVD in advanced Hodgkin lymphoma7+3 regimen (AML induction) and high-dose cytarabineAzacitidine with venetoclax in AMLTretinoin (ATRA) and arsenic trioxide in APLVenetoclax and obinutuzumab in CLL (the 12-month CLL14 regimen)

Physician tools and lessons

Cumulative Anthracycline Dose and Doxorubicin EquivalentsTumour Lysis Syndrome: Cairo-Bishop Criteria and PreventionKhorana Score (Cancer-Associated Thrombosis Risk)HCT-CI Comorbidity Index Before Stem Cell TransplantationIPI, R-IPI, NCCN-IPI and CNS-IPI Calculator for DLBCLFollicular Lymphoma International Prognostic Index (FLIPI) CalculatorInternational Prognostic Score (IPS) for Advanced Hodgkin LymphomaMantle Cell Lymphoma International Prognostic Index (MIPI) CalculatorCLL-IPI Calculator (Chronic Lymphocytic Leukaemia Prognostic Index)ELTS and Sokal Score Calculator in Chronic Myeloid Leukaemia (CML)

References

3 references
Show all references, 1 with a study cardClose the reference list

Numbers in the text, such as [1], refer to these sources. Sources with a “Study card” button are summarised in the site’s evidence library.

  1. 1
    Bendamustine plus rituximab versus CHOP plus rituximab as first-line treatment for patients with indolent and mantle-cell lymphomas: an open-label, multicentre, randomised, phase 3 non-inferiority trialRummel MJ, Niederle N, Maschmeyer G, et al · Lancet · 2013;381:1203-10
    Study cardDOIPubMed Back to text: 1 2 3 4
  2. 2
    Hepatitis B Virus Screening and Management for Patients With Cancer Prior to Therapy: ASCO Provisional Clinical Opinion UpdateHwang JP, Feld JJ, Hammond SP, et al · J Clin Oncol · 2020;38:3698-3715
    DOIPubMed Back to text
  3. 3
    BENDEKA (BENDAMUSTINE HYDROCHLORIDE) — Prescribing InformationTeva Pharmaceuticals Usa, Inc · FDA label · 2026
    Source Back to text

This page is based on reputable scientific sources and was last updated on 28 October 2026. The content of this website is for educational and informational purposes only and does not replace consultation, diagnosis or treatment by a specialist physician. Consult your treating physician about any treatment decision.

Printed from the website; the full and up-to-date version: https://drdabiri.com/en/regimens/bendamustine-rituximab/

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