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Glossary

Glossary of important terms found throughout this site

    A
    Antibody

    An antibody is a protein (natural substance) made by the body that works as a defense system against disease.

    Antibody-drug conjugate

    An antibody-drug conjugate (ADC) is a manufactured drug containing an antibody attached to an active anti-cancer agent. The ADC attaches to and enters targeted cells and kills them without harming other cells in the body.

    B
    B cell

    A B cell is a type of white blood cell (part of the immune system) that makes antibodies to fight bacteria and viruses.

    C
    Chemoimmunotherapy

    Chemoimmunotherapy is a type of treatment regimen that combines chemotherapy and immunotherapy.

    Chemotherapy

    Chemotherapy is a type of medicine that kills cells that grow and divide rapidly, including both cancer cells and normal cells.

    Cycle

    A cycle is the time between one round of treatment until the start of the next.

    D
    Diffuse large B-cell lymphoma

    Diffuse large B-cell lymphoma, or DLBCL, is a type of aggressive blood cancer that affects B cells. It is the most common form of non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma. DLBCL, not otherwise specified (NOS) refers to a form of DLBCL that cannot be categorized into a more specific subtype.

    I
    Immunotherapy

    Immunotherapy is a type of targeted treatment that helps your immune system recognize and fight cancer. It may also affect healthy cells.

    N
    Non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma

    Non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma is a diverse group of blood cancers that affect different types of white blood cells. B cells are the most common type, and the most common subtype is DLBCL.

    R
    R-CHOP

    R-CHOP is an acronym for the following medicines: a rituximab product (R); cyclophosphamide (C); doxorubicin, also known as Adriamycin (H); vincristine, also known as Oncovin (O); and prednisone (P). R-CHOP is the traditional chemoimmunotherapy regimen that has been historically used in the treatment of newly diagnosed DLBCL.

    R-CHP

    R-CHP (pronounced “AR-chip”) is an acronym that represents the following medicines: a rituximab product (R); cyclophosphamide (C); doxorubicin, also known as Adriamycin (H); and prednisone (P). In addition to POLIVY, R-CHP also helps fight cancer.

    Remission

    Remission is the reduction in (partial) or disappearance of (complete) signs and symptoms of cancer in response to treatment.

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Important Safety Information and Indication

What does POLIVY® treat?

POLIVY is a prescription medicine used with other medicines (a rituximab product, cyclophosphamide, doxorubicin, and prednisone) as a first treatment for adults who have moderate to high risk diffuse large B-cell lymphoma (DLBCL), not otherwise specified (NOS) or high-grade B-cell lymphoma (HGBL).

POLIVY is a prescription medicine used with other medicines, bendamustine and a rituximab product, to treat DLBCL, NOS, in adults who have progressed after at least 2 prior therapies.

Possible serious side effects

Everyone reacts differently to POLIVY therapy, so it’s important to know what the side effects are. Some people who have been treated with POLIVY have experienced serious to fatal side effects. Your doctor may stop or adjust your treatment if any serious side effects occur. Be sure to contact your healthcare team if there are any signs of these side effects.

  • Nerve problems in your arms and legs: This may happen as early as after your first dose and may worsen with every dose. Your doctor will monitor for signs and symptoms, such as changes in your sense of touch, numbness or tingling in your hands or feet, nerve pain, burning sensation, any muscle weakness, or changes to your walking pattern
  • Infusion-related reactions: You may experience fever, chills, rash, breathing problems, low blood pressure, or hives within 24 hours of your infusion
  • Low blood cell counts: Treatment with POLIVY can cause severe low blood cell counts. Your doctor will monitor your blood counts throughout treatment with POLIVY
  • Infections: If you have a fever of 100.4°F (38°C) or higher, chills, cough, or pain during urination, contact your healthcare team. Your doctor may also give you medication before giving you POLIVY, which may prevent some infections, and will monitor your blood counts throughout treatment with POLIVY. Treatment with POLIVY can cause severe low blood cell counts
  • Rare and serious brain infections: Your doctor will monitor closely for signs and symptoms of these types of infections. Contact your doctor if you experience confusion, dizziness or loss of balance, trouble talking or walking, or vision changes
  • Tumor lysis syndrome: Caused by the fast breakdown of cancer cells. Signs include nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, and lack of energy
  • Potential harm to liver: Some signs include tiredness, weight loss, pain in the abdomen, dark urine, and yellowing of your skin or the white part of your eyes. You may be at higher risk if you already had liver problems or you are taking other medication

Side effects seen most often

The most common side effects of POLIVY when used as a first treatment in DLBCL with the medicines rituximab product, cyclophosphamide, doxorubicin, and prednisone include

  • Nerve problems in arms and legs
  • Nausea
  • Tiredness or lack of energy
  • Diarrhea
  • Constipation
  • Hair loss
  • ​​​Redness and sores of the lining of the mouth, lips, throat, and digestive tract

POLIVY may lower your red or white blood cell counts and increase uric acid levels.

The most common side effects of POLIVY when used in DLBCL after at least 2 prior therapies with other medicines, bendamustine and a rituximab product, include

  • Low blood cell counts (platelets, red blood cells, white blood cells)
  • Nerve problems in arms and legs
  • Tiredness or lack of energy
  • Diarrhea
  • Nausea
  • Fever
  • Decreased appetite
  • Infections

POLIVY may not be for everyone. Talk to your doctor if you are

  • Pregnant or think you are pregnant: Data have shown that POLIVY may harm your unborn baby
  • Planning to become pregnant: Women should avoid getting pregnant while taking POLIVY. Women should use effective contraception during treatment and for 3 months after their last POLIVY treatment. Men taking POLIVY should use effective contraception during treatment and for 5 months after their last POLIVY treatment
  • Breastfeeding: Women should not breastfeed while taking POLIVY and for 2 months after the last dose

These may not be all the side effects. Talk to your healthcare provider for more information about the benefits and risks of POLIVY treatment.

You may report side effects to the FDA at (800) FDA-1088 or www.fda.gov/medwatch. You may also report side effects to Genentech at (888) 835-2555.

Please see the full Prescribing Information for additional Important Safety Information.

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