Cyclophosphamide, pegylated liposomal doxorubicin (Caelyx), vincristine and prednisone (CCOP) in elderly patients with diffuse large B-cell lymphoma: results from a prospective phase II study.
OBJECTIVE
Anthracycline-based combination chemotherapy regimens are the standard therapy for patients with diffuse large B-cell lymphoma (DLBCL), but such regimens may be poorly tolerated in elderly patients.


METHODS
In a prospective phase II study we analyzed the feasibility of a regimen (CCOP) that includes pegylated liposomal doxorubicin (Caelyx ) plus vincristine, cyclophosphamide and prednisone in patients with DLBCL above the age of 60 years.


RESULTS
Thirty-three patients, with a median age of 74 years, were enrolled in the study. The overall response rate was 64% (49% complete remissions and 15% partial remissions). The estimated one-year overall and event-free survivals were 55% (95% CI, 38-72) and 45% (95%CI, 28-62), respectively. The only relevant toxicity was neutropenia, which reached grades 3-4 in 21 cases (64%).


CONCLUSIONS
These results suggest that CCOP appears to be an acceptable alternative for elderly patients with DLBCL, and randomized trials against a conventional doxorubicin-containing regimen are justified.
Martino
Rodrigo
R
Servei d'Hematologia Clínica, Hospital de la Santa Creu i Sant Pau, Av. Sant Antoni M(a) Claret 167, 08025 Barcelona, Spain. rmartino@hsp.santpau.es
Perea
Granada
G
Caballero
María Dolores
MD
Mateos
María V
MV
Ribera
Josep M
JM
de Oteyza
Jaime Pérez
JP
Arranz
Reyes
R
Terol
María José
MJ
Sierra
Jorge
J
San Miguel
Jesús F
JF
D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D000740:Anemia / Q000139:chemically induced; D000971:Antineoplastic Combined Chemotherapy Protocols / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D018572:Disease-Free Survival; D003875:Drug Eruptions / Q000209:etiology / Q000517:prevention & control; D005260:Female; D016179:Granulocyte Colony-Stimulating Factor / Q000627:therapeutic use; D006801:Humans; D016403:Lymphoma, Large B-Cell, Diffuse / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000401:mortality; D008297:Male; D009325:Nausea / Q000139:chemically induced / Q000188:drug therapy; D009503:Neutropenia / Q000139:chemically induced / Q000517:prevention & control; D011446:Prospective Studies; D016019:Survival Analysis; D016896:Treatment Outcome
D016179:Granulocyte Colony-Stimulating Factor