Rituximab, gemcitabine and oxaliplatin: an effective regimen in patients with refractory and relapsing mantle cell lymphoma

Mantle cell lymphoma constitutes one of the lymphomas with poorest prognosis at relapse with limited effective salvage regimens due to advanced age. We present results of a new salvage regimen, rituximab, gemcitabine and oxaliplatin (GEMOX-R), in 14 patients with relapsing (n = 9) or refractory (n = 5) mantle cell lymphoma. The median number of cycles was 5.5 for a total of 72 cycles evaluated in the current study. The median age was 69.5 years with high-risk features. Patients received a mean number of prior treatment lines of 1.79. Sixty-four percent achieved CR (total response rate of 85%). With a median follow-up of 11 months, OS and PFS were 58% and 45% at 12 months. The major toxicity was thrombopenia grade III-IV (35%). Factors related with overall survival were ECOG performance status and a-IPI at GEMOX-R. We conclude that GEMOX-R displays an outstanding efficacy with an excellent toxicity profile in a pretreated elderly population.     

Rituximab, gemcitabine, cisplatin, and dexamethasone in patients with refractory or relapsed aggressive B-cell lymphoma

This study was conducted to evaluate the efficacy and safety of Rituximab, Gemcitabine, Cisplatin, and Dexamethasone (R-GDP) in relapsed or refractory aggressive B-Cell Non-Hodgkin's Lymphoma (NHL). Treatments consisted of rituximab 375?mg/m(2), i.v. on day 1; gemcitabine 1,000?mg/m(2), i.v. on days 1 and 8, dexamethasone 40?mg i.v. on days 1-4, and cisplatin 25?mg/m(2) i.v. on days 1-3, every 21?days. The primary end-points were the overall survival (OS) and progression-free survival (PFS). Secondary endpoints included response rate (ORR; CR) and toxicities. Eligible patients could then proceed to high-dose chemotherapy (HDC) and autologous stem cell transplantation (ASCT) or receive up to six treatment cycles. From January 2005 to December 2010, 50 successive patients at Tianjin cancer hospital lymphoma department were enrolled in this study. All patients were recurrent or refractory aggressive B-cell NHL, including diffuse large B-cell lymphoma (n?=?30) and follicular lymphoma grade 3b (n?=?20). The median follow-up time was 42?months (range, 12-70). After two cycles, the overall response rate was 72.0?%, with a CR/CRu rate of 56?%. The 2-year OS and PFS of all patients were 70.0 and 48.0?%, respectively. Grade III-IV neutropenia and thrombocytopenia occurred in 34 and 40?% of patients, respectively. Twenty-one patients (42?%) proceeded to ASCT. Higher International Prognostic Index and refractory disease were independently associated with worse survival and progression-free survival. R-GDP chemotherapy in patients with refractory or relapsed aggressive B-Cell NHL was effective as a salvage therapy and helpful for HDC/ASCT.     

R-GEMOX方案补救治疗复发或难治性弥漫大B细胞淋巴瘤

目的:观察利妥昔单抗联合盐酸吉西他滨和奥沙利铂(R-GEMOX)治疗复发或难治性弥漫大B细胞淋巴瘤的疗效和毒副反应。方法:利妥昔单抗375mg/m2化疗前1天静脉滴入,吉西他滨1000mg/m2,静脉滴入d1,d8,奥沙利铂130mg/m2,静脉滴入d2,以3周为1个化疗周期,3周期后评价临床疗效。结果:11例患者中,完全缓解(CR)3例,部分缓解(PR)4例。1例稳定(SD),3例进展(PD)。总缓解率为63.6%。化疗毒副反应主要为轻度的胃肠道反应,少数患者出现轻度的骨髓抑制,如白细胞及血小板减少。结论:利妥昔单抗联合盐酸吉西他滨和奥沙利铂(R-GEMOX)对复发或难治性进展型弥漫大B细胞淋巴瘤有较好的近期疗效,大部分患者可以承受其毒性,是一个值得进一步验证的补救性化疗方案。     

Dexamethasone, high-dose cytarabine, and oxaliplatin (DHAOx) as salvage treatment for patients with initially refractory or relapsed non-Hodgkin''s lymphoma.

Background:Dexamethasone, cytarabine (ara-C), and cisplatin(DHAP) can be used effectively to treat patients withnon-Hodgkins lymphoma (NHL). We hypothesized that substitution ofcisplatin by oxaliplatin (L-OHP) could result in less toxicity andgreater efficacy. L-OHP is active in patients with lymphoma. It producesmild myelosuppression and is devoid of renal toxicity. We report on aphase II study of dexamethasone, high-dose ara-C, and L-OHP (DHAOx) usedto treat patients with NHL who were previously treated withchemotherapy. Patients and methods:Fifteen patientswere given DHAOx. They had failed to achieve a CR with initialchemotherapy or had recurrent disease. DHAOx consisted of dexamethasone,40 mg/day (days 1 to 4); L-OHP, 130 mg/m² (day 1); and ara-C,2000 mg/m² every 12 h (day 2). Treatment was repeated every21 days. Results:Patients received a median of fourcourses of DHAOx. Myelosuppression and transient sensory peripheralneuropathy were the most prominent toxic effects. Serum creatininelevels did not increase in patients with normal renal function, nor inpatients who had renal impairment before DHAOx. The median follow-uptime from the start of DHAOx treatment was 17 months. Eight patients(53%) achieved a CR, and three patients (20%) had a PR.Responses were achieved by patients with lymphomas of varioushistologies that included mainly the follicular subtype, and by patientswith and without resistance to prior chemotherapy. None of the eightresponders have relapsed from CR at 4+, 6+, 14+, 15+, 19+, 20+, 24+, and24+ months. They had various types of therapy after DHAOx. Disappearanceof molecular markers was observed in all four patients who achieved a CRand whose tumor cells carried molecular abnormalities. Conclusion:DHAOx possesses characteristics of toxicitywhich compare favorably to those reported with DHAP, and it is useful asa salvage treatment for patients with NHL. Larger studies are requiredto establish the therapeutic potential of the regimen.     

Rituximab in Combination with CHOP, an Effective and Well-tolerated Salvage Regimen for Diffuse Large B-Cell Lymphoma

OBJECTIVE To evaluate the clinical effect of the R-CHOP regimen (rituximab in combination with cyclophosphamide, epirubicin, vincristine and prednisone) in treating refractory or relapsed diffuse large B-cell lymphoma (DLBCL), as a salvage therapy for DLBCL. METHODS Eighteen patients with refractory or relapsed DLBCL who were treated with the R-CHOP regimen from 2001 to 2006 in hospitals in Jilin Province were analyzed retrospectively. The response rate, change of serum lactate dehydrogenase (LDH), time to progression (TTP) and toxicity were observed. RESULTS The R-CHOP regimen can achieve a higher response rate, decrease serum LDH to a larger extent and obtain longer TTP than a con- ventional secondary regimen. The main adverse effects were similar to con- ventional chemotherapy. CONCLUSION The R-CHOP regimen is one of the most effective sec- ondary therapies for DLBCL.     

Rituximab-EPOCH, an effective salvage therapy for relapsed, refractory or transformed B-cell lymphomas: results of a phase II study.

BACKGROUND: Relapsed or refractory diffuse large B-cell and mantle-cell lymphoma have a poor prognosis. The EPOCH regimen and rituximab monotherapy have demonstrated activity as salvage therapies. Because of their non-overlapping toxicity, we evaluated their combination as salvage therapy in a phase II study. PATIENTS AND METHODS: Patients with relapsed or refractory CD20-positive large B-cell and mantle-cell lymphoma were offered treatment with rituximab 375 mg/m2 intravenously (i.v.) on day 1, doxorubicin 15 mg/m2 as a continuous i.v. infusion on days 2-4, etoposide 65 mg/m2 as a continuous i.v. infusion on days 2-4, vincristine 0.5 mg as a continuous i.v. infusion on days 2-4, cyclophosphamide 750 mg/m2 i.v. on day 5 and prednisone 60 mg/m2 orally on days 1-14. RESULTS: Fifty patients, with a median age of 56 years (range 23-72), entered the study. Twenty-five had primary diffuse large B-cell lymphoma, 18 transformed large B-cell lymphoma and seven mantle-cell lymphoma. The median number of prior chemotherapy regimens was 1.7 (range one to four). The median number of treatment cycles was four (range one to six). Possible treatment-related death occurred in two patients. Objective responses were obtained in 68% of patients (28% complete responses, 40% partial responses). Nineteen patients received consolidating high-dose chemotherapy with autologous stem-cell transplantation. The median follow-up was 33 months. Three patients developed a secondary myelodysplastic syndrome. The median overall survival was 17.9 months; the projected overall survival at 1, 2 and 3 years was 66, 42 and 35%, respectively. The median event-free survival was 11.8 months; the projected event-free survival at 1, 2 and 3 years was 50, 30 and 26%, respectively. CONCLUSION: The rituximab-EPOCH regimen is effective and well tolerated, even in extensively pretreated patients with relapsed or refractory large B-cell lymphoma and mantle-cell lymphoma.     

Phase II study of a salvage regimen using cyclophosphamide, high-dose cytarabine, dexamethasone, etoposide, and rituximab in patients with relapsed or refractory B-cell non-Hodgkin's lymphoma

The management of relapsed or refractory B-cell non-Hodgkin's lymphoma (B-NHL) remains challenging. We investigated the efficacy and safety of salvage chemoimmunotherapy (CHASER) in patients with relapsed or refractory B-NHL who had radiographically measurable disease and adequate major organ function. The CHASER treatment consisted of: rituximab 375 mg/m², day 1; cyclophosphamide 1200 mg/m², day 3; cytarabine 2 g/m², days 4 and 5; etoposide 100 mg/m², days 3–5; and dexamethasone 40 mg, days 3–5. The treatment was repeated every 3 weeks up to a total of four courses in the absence of disease progression. Thirty-two patients were enrolled and received a median of four courses of treatment (range 1–4 courses) per patient. Twenty patients (63%) were previously treated with rituximab-containing regimens. The median age was 54 years (range 28–67 years). The treatment was generally well tolerated, with major toxicities being grade 4 neutropenia ( n  = 32), thrombocytopenia requiring transfusion ( n  = 28), and grade 3 transaminase elevation ( n  = 2). Overall response rates in the entire group, and in patients with indolent ( n  = 17) and aggressive ( n  = 15) diseases were 84%, 100% and 67%, respectively. Responses were observed similarly in patients with ( n  = 20) and without ( n  = 12) previous rituximab exposure (85% and 83%, respectively). Stem cell harvest was successful in 19 of 22 patients. The median time to treatment failure for the entire group was 24.5 months. This promising result of high activity and favorable toxicity profile warrants further investigation in large-scale multicenter trials. ( Cancer Sci 2008; 99: 179–184)     

Gemcitabine, cisplatin and methylprednisolone (GEM-P) is an effective salvage regimen in patients with relapsed and refractory lymphoma

There is currently no standard salvage chemotherapy regimen in relapsed and refractory lymphoma. Gemcitabine is a novel nucleoside analogue, which acts synergistically with cisplatin both in vitro and in clinical studies. We evaluated the combination of gemcitabine, cisplatin and methylprednisolone (GEM-P) in 41 heavily pretreated patients with relapsed and refractory Hodgkin's and non-Hodgkin's lymphoma. The best-achieved response rate (RR) was 79% (95% CI 64-91), with a complete RR of 21%. In patients with chemo-resistant disease, the RR was 63%. Myelosuppression was the main toxicity, the incidence of Grade 3 or 4 anaemia, neutropenia and thrombocytopenia was 17.1, 61.0 and 53.7% respectively. Only one patient had neutropenic sepsis and none of the patients suffered from haemorrhage. Grade 3 or 4 nonhaematological toxicity was minimal and stem cell mobilisation was not inhibited. GEM-P is an effective salvage regimen and its use prior to autologous stem cell transplant warrants further investigation.     

利妥昔单抗联合二线化疗药物治疗老年人复发或难治性淋巴瘤

目的 研究利妥昔单抗联合二线化疗药物对老年人复发和难治性非霍奇金淋巴瘤(NHL)的治疗效果及安全性.方法 采用利妥昔单抗联合二线化疗药物治疗复发和难治性NHL患者12例.结果 12例共治疗38个周期,总有效(CR+PR)8例,有效率66.7%,临床收益(CR+PR+SD)11例,收益率91.3%.1年无进展生存率和总生存率分别为41.0%和50.0%.不良反应以自细胞和血小板减少最为常见,但均可耐受.结论利妥昔单抗联合二线化疗方案治疗老年人复发和难治性NHL安全有效,且能耐受.     

Comparison of salvage chemotherapy regimen ACES with ESHAP for refractory or relapsed malignant lymphoma

Standard salvage chemotherapy for refractory or relapsed malignant lymphoma has not been defined.The efficacy and feasibility of the ACES regimen, consisting of carboplatin at 100 mg/m(2) on day 1 to 4, etoposide at 80 mg/m(2) on day 1 to 4, high-dose Ara-C at 2 g/m(2) on day 5 and methylprednisolone at 500 mg/day for 5 days, for refractory or relapsed lymphoma were retrospectively reviewed in comparison with the ESHAP regimen.The subjects were 29 patients, including 7 aggressive follicular lymphomas, 16 large B cell lymphomas and 6 Hodgkin lymphomas. Characteristics of patients with ESHAP (19 cases) and the ACES (10 cases) group were as follows: male/female ratio, 10/9 and 3/7; median age, 49 (range, 31-72) and 54 (22-65); and initial clinical stage (I and II / III / IV), 5/8/6 and 1/1/8, respectively. Among the 29 patients, complete response was achieved in 68% (13/19) in ESHAP and 40% (4/10) in ACES.Progression-free survival and overall survival were 31.3% and 34.3%, respectively.Hematological toxicity was not significantly different between the two groups, and renal toxicity was significantly higher in ESHAP (52%) than ACES (0%).We concluded that the ACES regimen had a possibility of effective consolidation therapy for the elderly aiming to undergo autologous stem cell transplantation.     

Rituximab in combination with platinum-containing chemotherapy in patients with relapsed or primary refractory diffuse large B-cell lymphoma

The aim of the study was to evaluate the efficacy of a regimen consisting of rituximab and a platinum-containing chemotherapy with either Ifosfamide, Carboplatin and Etoposide (ICE) or Cisplatin, high-dose Ara-C and Dexamethasone (DHAP) in patients with relapsed or primary refractory diffuse large B-cell lymphoma. Ten patients with relapsed or primary refractory diffuse large B-cell lymphoma were treated from June 2000 until May 2001 with a platinum-containing chemotherapy regimen according to the ICE- or DHAP-protocol in combination with rituximab at the University of Muenster. Two cycles of ICE or DHAP and rituximab were given. In case of at least a minor response after 2 cycles, 2 additional cycles of the same combination were applied. Response rate, remission duration and duration of survival were evaluated. All 10 patients could be analysed with respect to these endpoints. No treatment related mortality was observed. The response rate (CR/PR) was 60% (10/50%). Twenty percent of the patients had progressive disease. The median duration of remission and survival was 3 and 3.5 months, respectively (range: 1-6 and 1-7 months, respectively), the survival rate was 10%. Eight of 10 patients died because of their underlying disease with short remission duration, 1 patient died of complications of allogeneic transplantation in CR. In conclusion, the combination of platinum-containing chemotherapy (ICE or DHAP) with rituximab demonstrates significant activity in intensively pretreated patients with relapsed or primary refractory diffuse large B-cell lymphoma. Considering the short duration of remission and survival, respectively, other experimental therapeutic approaches (e.g. allogeneic stem cell transplantation, radioimmunotherapy) should be pursued following this treatment in order to induce long-term remission.     

ABVD方案治疗复发/难治弥漫大B细胞淋巴瘤的临床分析

目的研究吡柔比星+博来霉素+长春新碱+氮烯咪胺(ABVD)方案挽救化疗复发/难治弥漫大B细胞淋巴瘤(DLBCL)的疗效和安全性。方法回顾性分析2011年1月至2017年3月收治的无法接受强烈化疗或自体造血干细胞移植(ASCT),接受ABVD方案挽救化疗的复发/难治DLBCL患者35例。ABVD方案如下:吡柔比星25 mg/m^2静滴d_1、d₁₅,博来霉素10 mg/m^2静滴d_1、d₁₅,长春新碱1.4 mg/m^2静滴d_1、d₁₅,氮烯咪胺375 mg/m^2静滴d_1、d₁₅。28天为1个周期,化疗6个周期。观察近期疗效、1年生存率、总生存时间(OS)和不良反应。结果随访截止于2019年3月,中位随访14.4个月。全组患者经ABVD方案挽救化疗后,获CR 8例、PR 17例、SD 6例、PD 4例;有效率(RR)为71.5%,疾病控制率(DCR)为88.6%。中位缓解持续时间为3.5个月(95%CI:3.13~3.87个月),1年生存率为45.7%,中位OS为13.0个月(95%CI:11.90~14.10个月)。25例国际预后指数(IPI)评分低中危组患者(0~2分)的RR、DCR、1年生存率、中位OS分别为84.0%、100.0%、60.0%和14.0个月(95%CI:12.71~15.30个月),均高于10例中高危组患者(3~4分)的40.0%、60.0%、10.0%和6.0个月(95%CI:3.65~8.35个月),差异均有统计学意义(P<0.05);而不同CD5表达情况以及ABVD方案不同治疗线程的患者上述指标的差异均无统计学意义(P>0.05)。全组主要不良反应为骨髓抑制和消化道反应,发生率分别为61.8%(24/35)和14.3%(5/35),以1~2级为主。结论 ABVD方案对多次化疗、无法接受强烈化疗或ASCT的低中危型复发/难治DLBCL疗效可靠、耐受性好,值得进一步临床研究。     

含美罗华联合方案治疗复发耐药B细胞性非霍奇金淋巴瘤

背景与目的:复发或耐药的B细胞性非霍奇金淋巴瘤(non-Hodgkin slymphoma,NHL)预后不良,二线方案化疗远期生存差;抗CD20单克隆抗体美罗华(rituximab)与CHOP或类似方案联合作为一线方案治疗初治侵袭性淋巴瘤可提高远期生存率,但在二线治疗中的作用尚未确定。本研究初步探讨含美罗华联合方案治疗复发耐药B细胞性NHL的近期疗效和不良反应的情况。方法:中山大学肿瘤防治中心近年应用含美罗华方案治疗35例复发耐药NHL患者,其中男性19例,女性16例,中位年龄53.5岁。PS评分0～1分33例(94.3%)。IPI评分0～1分20例(57.1%),2分7例(20.0%),3分4例(11.4%),4～5分4例(11.4%);病理类型以弥漫大B细胞性为主(23例,占65.7%)。所有患者都接受含美罗华的治疗,每疗程前1天应用,剂量375mg/m2,二、三线挽救化疗方案包括EPOCH、CHOP、DHAP、DICE、IMVP-16和FND等。结果:35例患者中单用美罗华治疗者5例,美罗华联合化疗30例,共化疗102疗程。32例可评价客观疗效,有效率68.8%(22/32),完全缓解(CR)13例(40.6%),3例患者在含美罗华方案治疗后接受局部放疗获CR,3例患者在挽救方案治疗后加用造血干细胞移植获CR。主要不良反应为胃肠道反应、骨髓抑制、脱发等,加用美罗华治疗主要增加畏寒、发热等输注相关反应(5例)。中位随访时间12.5个月(3～69个月),失访2例,全组死亡10例(9例死于疾病进展,1例死于重症乙型性肝炎),中位无进展生存期(PFS)11.8个月(3～33个月)。总的1、2、3年生存率分别为72.9%、62.8%和62.8%。结论:含美罗华方案治疗复发耐药的B细胞NHL有效率高、不良反应可以耐受,值得在更大宗病例中作进一步研究。     

Dexa-BEAM: an effective regimen for cytoreduction prior to high-dose chemotherapy with autologous stem cell support for patients with relapsed/refractory mantle-cell lymphoma

Mantle-cell lymphoma (MCL) is not a curable disease using conventional chemotherapy. Patients with MCL have the shortest median time to progression and the shortest median survival of all lymphoma subtypes after first-line treatment. In the present study we determined the efficacy of maximal cytoreductive therapy with up to four cycles of Dexa-BEAM (dexamethasone, carmustine [BCNU], etoposide, cytarabine, and melphalan) followed by high-dose chemotherapy (HDCT) and autologous hematopoietic stem cell support (ASCT) for patients with advanced relapsed or refractory MCL. Nine consecutive patients with relapsed or refractory MCL were included. Three patients had partial remission (PR), three patients progressive disease (PD) upon first line tretment, and three patients first or subsequent relapse. After 2 to four cycles of Dexa-BEAM eight patients achieved complete remission (CR), resulting in a response rate of 88%. Six of 8 patients responding to Dexa-BEAM received high-dose chemotherapy HDCT (BEAM) and autologous hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (ASCT). With a median follow up of 24 months six patients are alive. Five of those six patients are still in contiuous CR (range 13-54 months).     

Oxaliplatin‐based chemotherapy (dexamethasone,high‐dose cytarabine,and oxaliplatin) ± rituximab is an effective salvage regimen in patients with relapsed or refractory lymphoma

BACKGROUND:

Patients affected by relapsed or primary refractory lymphomas currently have a poor prognosis and no standard salvage treatment options. This study was carried out to assess the efficacy and safety of a dexamethasone, high‐dose cytarabine, and oxaliplatin as salvage therapy in those patients, replacing cisplatin with oxaliplatin in the standard dexamethasone, cytarabine, and cisplatin scheme.

METHODS:

Seventy patients with relapsed or refractory aggressive non‐Hodgkin or Hodgkin lymphoma were treated from September 2001 to September 2007. The median age of patients was 51 years (range, 19‐75 years). Histological subtypes were: diffuse large B‐cell lymphoma (n = 47) and Hodgkin lymphoma (n = 23). The overall response rate was 73% (51 of 70), with 30 (43%) complete remissions and 21 (30%) partial remissions. Fifty‐two patients were treated with dexamethasone, high‐dose cytarabine, and oxaliplatin as second‐line chemotherapy. Forty‐eight patients were enrolled in an autologous stem cell transplantation program; forty (83%) finally proceeded to high‐dose consolidation and autografting.

RESULTS:

No grade 3 or 4 nonhematological toxicity was demonstrated; in particular, no renal or neurotoxicity was reported. After a median follow‐up period of 21 months (range, 2‐87 months), 22 (31%) patients had died. Probabilities of 2‐year progression‐free survival (PFS) and overall survival (OS) were 44% and 71%, respectively. In the chemosensitive patients, the PFS and OS were 52% and 83%, respectively. The only factor that significantly correlated with better OS was the response to therapy.

CONCLUSIONS:

This study confirms that dexamethasone, high‐dose cytarabine, and oxaliplatin ± rituximab is an effective and feasible outpatient regimen for salvage therapy in patients affected by relapsed or refractory lymphoma. Moreover, the feasibility and efficacy of this scheme as an in vivo chemosensitive test in patients in autotransplantation programs was confirmed. Cancer 2010. © 2010 American Cancer Society.     

Long-term results of gemcitabine plus oxaliplatin with and without rituximab as salvage treatment for transplant-ineligible patients with refractory/relapsing B-cell lymphoma

Purpose  To determine the efficacy and safety of the combination of gemcitabine plus oxaliplatin, with and without rituximab, in patients with relapsed/refractory B-cell lymphoma unsuitable for high dose therapy. Methods  Patients were prospectively enrolled in two subsequent trials, GEMOX [gemcitabine (1200 mg/m², days 1 and 8) and oxaliplatin (120 mg/m², day 2), three-weekly] and R-GEMOX [rituximab (375 mg/m², day 1), gemcitabine (1200 mg/m², day 1) and oxaliplatin (120 mg/m², day 2), bi-weekly], up to six courses. Results  Sixty-two patients were enrolled: GEMOX [n = 30; median age, 66 years (range, 46–85); previous chemotherapy ≥2, 70%; PS ECOG ≥ 2, 57%]; R-GEMOX [n = 32; median age, 65 years (range 32–79); previous chemotherapy ≥2, 75%; PS ECOG ≥ 2, 47%]. Overall and complete response rates were 57 and 30% (95% CI, 15–49) for GEMOX and 78 and 50% (95% CI, 32–68) in R-GEMOX, respectively. Grade 3/4 neutropenia occurred in 57 and 47% of cycles and grade 3/4 thrombocytopenia in 26 and 17% of courses for GEMOX and R-GEMOX, respectively. At 42 months, the failure-free survival (FFS) was 7% (95% CI, 0–16) for GEMOX and 28% (95% CI, 9–47) for R-GEMOX (P = 0.014), with overall survivals of 7 (95% CI, 0–16) and 37% (95% CI, 20–55), respectively (P = 0.016). Conclusions  Both regimes showed good tolerability and appealing response rates. FFS was more prolonged in R-GEMOX, but patients continuously relapsed without a clear plateau on survival curves.     

Oral arsenic trioxide-based regimen as salvage treatment for relapsed or refractory mantle cell lymphoma

BackgroundMantle cell lymphoma (MCL) is aggressive, and relapsed/refractory disease has poor outcomes.Patients and methodsThirty-nine patients (men = 34, women = 5) at 64 (41–82) years of age with relapsed/refractory MCL, ineligible for high-dose chemotherapy and had received 2 (1–5) prior regimens, were treated with a continuous oral regimen, comprising oral arsenic trioxide (oral-As₂O₃), chlorambucil and ascorbic acid.ResultsOverall response rate was 49% (complete response, CR = 28%; partial response, PR = 21%). Only grade 1/2 toxicities were observed (hematologic: 56%, hepatic: 8%). Response was maintained in 11 patients (CR = 8; PR = 3), after a median of 24 (2–108) months. Independent prognostic factors for response were increased lactate dehydrogenase (P = 0.04) and unfavorable MCL international prognostic index (P = 0.04). At a median follow-up of 21 (1–118) months, the median progression-free survival (PFS) was 16 months, and overall survival (OS) 38 months. Independent prognostic factors for PFS were female gender (P = 0.002), and Eastern Cooperative Oncology Group (ECOG) performance score of 2 (P = 0.009). Independent prognostic factors for OS were female gender (P < 0.001), ECOG performance score of 2 (P = 0.03), non-response (P < 0.001), and disease progression after initial response (P = 0.05).ConclusionAn oral regimen of oral-As₂O₃, chlorambucil and ascorbic acid was active with minimal toxicity in relapsed/refractory MCL, achieving durable responses in ∼30% of cases.     

Dexamethasone, high-dose cytarabine, and cisplatin in combination with rituximab as salvage treatment for patients with relapsed or refractory aggressive non-Hodgkin's lymphoma

We designed a multicenter Phase II trial to prospectively evaluate the efficacy and safety of the combination of rituximab with the DHAP regimen (dexamethasone, high-dose cytarabine, cisplatin) in patients who relapsed after or were resistant to a CHOP-like regimen. A total of 53 patients with relapsed or resistant aggressive B-cell NHL were analyzed. The overall response rate was 62.3 percent. With a median follow-up of 24.9 months, median overall and progression-free survivals were 8.5 and 6.7 months, respectively. Immunochemotherapy with rituximab and DHAP proved to be feasible and effective in this patient population.     

奥沙利铂联合阿糖胞苷及地塞米松治疗难治性或复发性非霍奇金淋巴瘤

目的 观察奥沙利铂(L-OHP)联合阿糖胞苷(Ara-C)及地塞米松(DXM)对难治性或复发性非霍奇金淋巴瘤(NHL)的疗效及患者不良反应.方法 L-OHP 130 mg/m2,静脉滴注,第1天;Ara-C 2000 mg/m2,静脉滴注,1次/12h,第2天;DXM 40 mg/d,静脉推注,第1天至第4天.每3～4周为1个化疗周期,治疗22例难治性或复发性NHL患者,每例患者治疗≥3个周期评价疗效.结果 22例中的1例于化疗第1周期后死于疾病进展.可评价的21例中13例(61.9%)治疗有效,其中完全缓解(CR)9例(42.9%),部分缓解(PR)4例(19.0%).21例化疗共86个周期,患者不良反应主要表现为轻度胃肠道反应78次(90.7%),中性粒细胞缺乏41次(47.7%),血小板减少61次(70.9%),贫血33次(38.4%).可逆性周围神经病变12例(57.1%).未发现明显肾功能异常者.结论 L-OHP联合Ara-C及DXM对难治性或复发性NHL有较好的近期疗效,其不良反应可以耐受.