VNCOP-B plus rituximab in the treatment of diffuse large B-cell lymphoma in the elderly

The conventional treatment included CHOP and several age-adapted regimens, from first to third generation, designed and tested for their feasibility and efficacy in elderly patients. Recently, some trials demonstrated that CHOP-rituximab was superior to CHOP alone. Between February 2003 and November 2005, 24 untreated patients 60 years and older with DLBCL were treated with a combination therapy including cyclophosphamide, mitoxantrone, vincristine, etoposide, bleomycin, and prednisone (VNCOP-B) plus four rituximab administrations. Nineteen of the 24 patients (80%) obtained a CR, four achieved a PR, and the remaining patient had a disease progression. The overall response rate was 96%. Sixteen of the 19 complete responders remain in continuous CR at a median of 24 months (range 12 - 42). Three CRs relapsed within 12 months from the completion of treatment. Clinical and hematological toxicity was moderate. This regimen was effective in inducing a good remission rate with moderate toxic effects in elderly DLBCL patients.