Randomized phase II study of concurrent and sequential rituximab and CHOP chemotherapy in untreated indolent B-cell lymphoma.
CHOP combined with rituximab (R-CHOP) is regarded as one of the most effective treatments for indolent B-cell non-Hodgkin lymphoma (B-NHL), however, its optimal combination schedule remains unknown. We performed a randomized phase II study to explore a more promising schedule in untreated, advanced indolent B-NHL. Patients were randomized to receive either six courses of CHOP concurrently with rituximab (Arm C), or six courses of CHOP followed by six courses of weekly rituximab (Arm S). A total of 69 patients received the concurrent (n=34) or sequential (n=35) regimen. Overall response rate (ORR) in Arm C was 94% (95% confidence interval [CI], 79 to 99), including a 66% complete response (CR) compared with 97% (95% CI, 85-100), including a 68% CR in Arm S. Patients in Arm C experienced more grade 4 neutropenia (85%versus 70%) and experienced more grade 3 or greater non-hematological toxicities (21%versus 12%). Both arms were tolerated well. With a median follow-up of 28.2 months, the median progression-free survival (PFS) time was 34.2 months in Arm C, and was not reached in Arm S. R-CHOP is highly effective in untreated indolent B-NHL, either concurrent or in a sequential combination. Both combination schedules deserve further investigation.
Ogura
Michinori
M
Department of Hematology and Cell Therapy, Aichi Cancer Center, 1-1 Kanokoden, Chikusa-ku, Nagoya 464-8681, Japan. mi-ogura@naa.att.ne.jp
Morishima
Yasuo
Y
Kagami
Yoshitoyo
Y
Watanabe
Takashi
T
Itoh
Kuniaki
K
Igarashi
Tadahiko
T
Hotta
Tomomitsu
T
Kinoshita
Tomohiro
T
Ohashi
Yasuo
Y
Mori
Shigeo
S
Terauchi
Takashi
T
Tobinai
Kensei
K
D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000911:Antibodies, Monoclonal / Q000008:administration & dosage; D058846:Antibodies, Monoclonal, Murine-Derived; D000971:Antineoplastic Combined Chemotherapy Protocols / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D003520:Cyclophosphamide / Q000008:administration & dosage; D004317:Doxorubicin / Q000008:administration & dosage; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D016393:Lymphoma, B-Cell / Q000188:drug therapy*; D008224:Lymphoma, Follicular / Q000188:drug therapy; D008228:Lymphoma, Non-Hodgkin / Q000188:drug therapy; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D011239:Prednisolone / Q000008:administration & dosage; D000069283:Rituximab; D015996:Survival Rate; D016896:Treatment Outcome; D014750:Vincristine / Q000008:administration & dosage
D000911:Antibodies, Monoclonal; D058846:Antibodies, Monoclonal, Murine-Derived; D000069283:Rituximab; D014750:Vincristine; D004317:Doxorubicin; D003520:Cyclophosphamide; D011239:Prednisolone