title: Rituximab, dexamethasone, cytarabine, and oxaliplatin (R-DHAX) is an effective and safe salvage regimen in relapsed/refractory B-cell non-Hodgkin lymphoma.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Salvage therapy for patients with refractory/relapsed B-cell non-Hodgkin lymphoma (NHL) is based on polychemotherapy, followed by high-dose therapy and autologous stem cell transplantation in eligible patients (HDT/ASCT). R-DHAP combines rituximab with cisplatin, cytarabine, and dexamethasone.
  
  
  METHODS
  We substituted cisplatin with oxaliplatin to avoid nephrotoxicity and retrospectively analyzed a large series of 91 patients with refractory/relapsed B-cell NHL to evaluate toxicities, response rates (RRs), and survival. Median age at R-DHAX (rituximab/dexamethasone/cytarabine/oxaliplatin) treatment was 60 years (range, 28-82 years). Renal insufficiency was present in 18 patients. The most frequent histologic subtypes were diffuse large B-cell lymphoma (n = 42) and follicular lymphoma (n = 30). Seventeen patients (19%) were naive to rituximab at time of R-DHAX.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Grade III/IV toxicities were mainly hematologic, including anemia (n = 9), neutropenia (n = 44), and thrombocytopenia (n = 47). Grade I/II neurologic toxicities, sensitive or motor, were observed, and these were mainly transient except for 3 cases of motor neuropathy associated with previous exposure to vincristine. Neither renal toxicities nor degradation of previous renal insufficiency were observed. The overall RR was 75%, with a complete RR of 57%, with no statistical difference between patients previously treated with rituximab versus without rituximab. At a median follow-up of 23 months, 2-year probability rates of overall survival and progression-free survival were 75% and 43%, respectively, with a significant difference between patients treated with HDT/ASCT and patients not eligible for HDT/ASCT.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  R-DHAX is an efficient regimen in patients with relapsed/refractory B-cell NHL even in elderly patients if hematologic toxicities are closely managed.
authors: Pharmacie Department, AP-HP, Hôpital Saint-Louis, Paris, France.
authors: Julie
authors: J
authors: Lignon
authors: David
authors: D
authors: Sibon
authors: Isabelle
authors: I
authors: Madelaine
authors: Pauline
authors: P
authors: Brice
authors: Patricia
authors: P
authors: Franchi
authors: Josette
authors: J
authors: Briere
authors: Nicolas
authors: N
authors: Mounier
authors: Christian
authors: C
authors: Gisselbrecht
authors: Pierre
authors: P
authors: Faure
authors: Catherine
authors: C
authors: Thieblemont
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D058846:Antibodies, Monoclonal, Murine-Derived / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D003561:Cytarabine / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D003907:Dexamethasone / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D004359:Drug Therapy, Combination; D064420:Drug-Related Side Effects and Adverse Reactions; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D016393:Lymphoma, B-Cell / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000401:mortality / Q000473:pathology; D008228:Lymphoma, Non-Hodgkin / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000401:mortality / Q000473:pathology; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009944:Organoplatinum Compounds / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D000077150:Oxaliplatin; D012008:Recurrence; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D000069283:Rituximab; D016879:Salvage Therapy / Q000379:methods*; D016896:Treatment Outcome; D055815:Young Adult
chemical_list: D058846:Antibodies, Monoclonal, Murine-Derived; D009944:Organoplatinum Compounds; D003561:Cytarabine; D000077150:Oxaliplatin; D000069283:Rituximab; D003907:Dexamethasone