Rituximab combined with MACOP-B or VACOP-B and radiation therapy in primary mediastinal large B-cell lymphoma: a retrospective study.
BACKGROUND
Third-generation regimens (MACOP-B [methotrexate/leucovorin (LV)/doxorubicin/cyclophosphamide/vincristine/ prednisone/bleomycin] or VACOP-B [etoposide/LV/doxorubicin/cyclophosphamide/vincristine/prednisone/bleomycin]) in combination with local radiation therapy seem to improve lymphoma-free survival of primary mediastinal large B-cell lymphoma (PMLBCL). Recently, the superiority of R-CHOP (rituximab plus cyclophosphamide/doxorubicin/vincristine/ prednisone) over CHOP-like regimens has been demonstrated in elderly and younger patients with low-risk diffuse large B-cell lymphoma.


METHODS
Retrospectively, between February 2002 and July 2006, 45 previously untreated patients with PMLBCL were treated with a combination of a third-generation chemotherapy regimen (MACOP-B or VACOP-B), concurrent rituximab, and mediastinal radiation therapy.


RESULTS
Twenty-six (62%) patients achieved a complete response (CR), and 15 (36%) obtained a partial response after MACOP-B/VACOP-B plus rituximab. After radiation therapy, the CR rate was 80%. At a median follow-up of 28 months, among the 34 patients who obtained a CR, 3 relapsed after 16, 19, and 22 months, respectively. Projected overall survival was 80% at 5 years; the relapse-free survival (RFS) curve of the 34 patients who achieved CR was 88% at 5 years.


CONCLUSIONS
In this retrospective study, in patients with PMLBCL, combined-modality treatment using the MACOP-B/VACOP-B regimen plus rituximab induces a high remission rate, with patients having a > 80% chance of surviving relapse free at 5 years. In comparison with historical data on MACOP-B/VACOP-B without rituximab, there are no statistically significant differences in terms of CR and RFS rates.
Institute of Hematology and Medical Oncology L. & A. Seràgnoli, University of Bologna, Italy. pierluigi.zinzani@unibo.it
Pier Luigi
PL
Zinzani
Vittorio
V
Stefoni
Erica
E
Finolezzi
Ercole
E
Brusamolino
Maria Giuseppina
MG
Cabras
Annalisa
A
Chiappella
Flavia
F
Salvi
Andrea
A
Rossi
Alessandro
A
Broccoli
Maurizio
M
Martelli
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000911:Antibodies, Monoclonal / Q000008:administration & dosage; D058846:Antibodies, Monoclonal, Murine-Derived; D000971:Antineoplastic Combined Chemotherapy Protocols / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D001761:Bleomycin / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000009:adverse effects; D003520:Cyclophosphamide / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000009:adverse effects; D018572:Disease-Free Survival; D004317:Doxorubicin / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000009:adverse effects; D005047:Etoposide / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000009:adverse effects; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D002955:Leucovorin / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000009:adverse effects; D016403:Lymphoma, Large B-Cell, Diffuse / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000473:pathology / Q000532:radiotherapy*; D008297:Male; D008479:Mediastinal Neoplasms / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000473:pathology / Q000532:radiotherapy*; D008727:Methotrexate / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000009:adverse effects; D008875:Middle Aged; D011241:Prednisone / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000009:adverse effects; D018714:Radiotherapy, Adjuvant; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D000069283:Rituximab; D015996:Survival Rate; D016896:Treatment Outcome; D014750:Vincristine / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000009:adverse effects; D055815:Young Adult
D000911:Antibodies, Monoclonal; D058846:Antibodies, Monoclonal, Murine-Derived; D001761:Bleomycin; D000069283:Rituximab; D014750:Vincristine; D005047:Etoposide; D004317:Doxorubicin; D003520:Cyclophosphamide; D002955:Leucovorin; D011241:Prednisone; D008727:Methotrexate