The monoclonal antibody rituximab, given in combination with the alkylating agent bendamustine or a proteasome inhibitor (eg, bortezomib, carfilzomib [off-label use]; ixazomib [for patients with WM cells resistant to ibrutinib]), is the typical treatment for WM.
Other therapies for WM include alkylating agents, purine nucleoside analogues, immunomodulatory medications, mammalian target of rapamycin inhibitors, and monoclonal antibodies.
Corticosteroids and various antineoplastic medications (tyrosine kinase inhibitor, alkylating, antimetabolite, anthracycline, proteasome inhibitors, and monoclonal antibody) are also treatment options for WM.
Antibiotic agents of any class, methylprednisolone, and combination beta-blocker and corticosteroid therapy are not appropriate or effective in treating WM.
For more on treatment and management options for WM, read here.
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Any views expressed above are the author's own and do not necessarily reflect the views of WebMD or Medscape.
Cite this: Emmanuel C. Besa. Fast Five Quiz: Can You Diagnose Waldenström Macroglobulinemia? - Medscape - Mar 13, 2019.
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