title: Human immunodeficiency virus-associated diffuse non-Hodgkin's lymphoma in Venezuelan patients: treatment with full-dose cyclophosphamide-doxorubicin-vincristine-prednisone without routine use of granulocyte-colony stimulating factor.
abstract: The routine use of granulocyte-colony stimulating factor (G-CSF) for 10 days during full-dose cyclophosphamide-doxorubicin-vincristine-prednisone (CHOP) chemotherapy in HIV-associated diffuse non-Hodgkin's lymphoma (NHL) patients is very expensive in developing countries. We treated 22 HIV-associated diffuse NHL patients with standard-dose CHOP and used G-CSF after an episode of febrile neutropenia until neutrophil count reached 1000/mm3. The clinical response was: complete response (36%), partial response (32%), stable disease (14%) and progression (18%). There were no toxicity-related deaths. Grade 3 or 4 neutropenia was observed in 16% of cycles, but only 8% were complicated with febrile neutropenia. Seventeen patients died (median survival 15 months; range 2-70). There are five patients alive (median survival 24+ months; range 17-36+). Our experience showed that we can treat HIV-related NHL patients with full-dose CHOP, achieve good responses and have an acceptable toxicity profile, with the use of G-CSF as needed.
authors.affiliation: Vargas Medical School, Vargas Hospital, Universidad Central de Venezuela, Caracas, Venezuela. dimas78@hotmail.com
authors.forename: D E
authors.initials: DE
authors.lastname: Hernàndez
authors.forename: A E
authors.initials: AE
authors.lastname: Hernàndez
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000971:Antineoplastic Combined Chemotherapy Protocols / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D003520:Cyclophosphamide / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000009:adverse effects; D004317:Doxorubicin / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000009:adverse effects; D005260:Female; D005334:Fever / Q000139:chemically induced / Q000517:prevention & control; D016179:Granulocyte Colony-Stimulating Factor / Q000008:administration & dosage; D006801:Humans; D016483:Lymphoma, AIDS-Related / Q000188:drug therapy*; D008297:Male; D020714:Maximum Tolerated Dose; D008875:Middle Aged; D009503:Neutropenia / Q000139:chemically induced / Q000517:prevention & control; D011241:Prednisone / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000009:adverse effects; D011446:Prospective Studies; D016896:Treatment Outcome; D014750:Vincristine / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000009:adverse effects
chemical_list: D016179:Granulocyte Colony-Stimulating Factor; D014750:Vincristine; D004317:Doxorubicin; D003520:Cyclophosphamide; D011241:Prednisone