Cyclophosphamide, doxorubicin, vincristine, prednisone and rituximab versus epirubicin, cyclophosphamide, vinblastine, prednisone and rituximab for the initial treatment of elderly "fit" patients with diffuse large B-cell lymphoma: results from the ANZINTER3 trial of the Intergruppo Italiano Linfomi

Leuk Lymphoma. 2012 Apr;53(4):581-8. doi: 10.3109/10428194.2011.621565. Epub 2011 Nov 15.

Abstract

We conducted a prospective study to compare epirubicin, cyclophosphamide, vinblastine, prednisone and rituximab (R-miniCEOP) with cyclophosphamide, doxorubicin, vincristine, prednisone and rituximab (R-CHOP) for the treatment of "fit" elderly patients with diffuse large B-cell lymphoma (DLBCL). Patients over the age of 65 with stage II-IV DLBCL were screened with a comprehensive geriatric assessment. Patients were randomized to receive six courses of R-miniCEOP (n = 114) or R-CHOP (n = 110). Overall, the rate of complete remission was 70% (p = 0.466). After a median follow-up of 42 months, 5-year event-free survival (EFS) rates were 46% and 48% for R-miniCEOP and R-CHOP, respectively (p = 0.538). Patients older than 72 years and with low-risk disease had a better outcome when treated with R-miniCEOP (p = 0.011). Overall R-CHOP and R-miniCEOP are similarly effective for elderly "fit" patients with DLBCL. The less intense R-miniCEOP may be an acceptable option for the treatment of relatively older patients with low-risk disease.

Trial registration: ClinicalTrials.gov NCT01148446.

Publication types

  • Randomized Controlled Trial
  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Aged
  • Aged, 80 and over
  • Anemia / chemically induced
  • Antibodies, Monoclonal, Murine-Derived / administration & dosage
  • Antibodies, Monoclonal, Murine-Derived / adverse effects
  • Antineoplastic Combined Chemotherapy Protocols / adverse effects
  • Antineoplastic Combined Chemotherapy Protocols / therapeutic use*
  • Cyclophosphamide / administration & dosage
  • Cyclophosphamide / adverse effects
  • Disease-Free Survival
  • Doxorubicin / administration & dosage
  • Doxorubicin / adverse effects
  • Epirubicin / administration & dosage
  • Epirubicin / adverse effects
  • Female
  • Follow-Up Studies
  • Geriatric Assessment / methods
  • Geriatric Assessment / statistics & numerical data
  • Humans
  • Kaplan-Meier Estimate
  • Lymphoma, Large B-Cell, Diffuse / drug therapy*
  • Lymphoma, Large B-Cell, Diffuse / pathology
  • Male
  • Middle Aged
  • Multivariate Analysis
  • Neutropenia / chemically induced
  • Prednisone / administration & dosage
  • Prednisone / adverse effects
  • Proportional Hazards Models
  • Prospective Studies
  • Rituximab
  • Treatment Outcome
  • Vincristine / administration & dosage
  • Vincristine / adverse effects

Substances

  • Antibodies, Monoclonal, Murine-Derived
  • Epirubicin
  • Rituximab
  • Vincristine
  • Doxorubicin
  • Cyclophosphamide
  • Prednisone

Associated data

  • ClinicalTrials.gov/NCT01148446