Phase II study of Rituximab combined with THP-COP as first-line therapy for patients younger than 70 years with diffuse large B cell lymphoma

Takeshi Hara; Hisashi Tsurumi; Naoe Goto; Jun-ichi Kitagawa; Nobuhiro Kanemura; Takeshi Yoshikawa; Senji Kasahara; Hideko Goto; Kenji Fukuno; Toshiki Yamada; Michio Sawada; Ichiro Yasuda; Naoki Katsumura; Takeshi Takahashi; Tsuyoshi Takami; Hisataka Moriwaki

doi:10.1007/s00432-009-0637-x

Phase II study of Rituximab combined with THP-COP as first-line therapy for patients younger than 70 years with diffuse large B cell lymphoma

J Cancer Res Clin Oncol. 2010 Jan;136(1):65-70. doi: 10.1007/s00432-009-0637-x.

Authors

Takeshi Hara¹, Hisashi Tsurumi, Naoe Goto, Jun-ichi Kitagawa, Nobuhiro Kanemura, Takeshi Yoshikawa, Senji Kasahara, Hideko Goto, Kenji Fukuno, Toshiki Yamada, Michio Sawada, Ichiro Yasuda, Naoki Katsumura, Takeshi Takahashi, Tsuyoshi Takami, Hisataka Moriwaki

Affiliation

¹ First Department of Internal Medicine, Gifu University Graduate School of Medicine, 1-1 Yanagido, Gifu 501-1194, Japan.

PMID: 19590893
DOI: 10.1007/s00432-009-0637-x

Abstract

Introduction: We previously described the effectiveness of the THP-COP regimen comprising cyclophosphamide, pirarubicin (tetrahydropyranyl adriamycin; THP), vincristine and prednisolone in patients with diffuse large B-cell lymphoma (DLBCL). The anthracycline drug THP was apparently less cardiotoxic than doxorubicin. However, that study was completed before rituximab was introduced into clinical practice. We conducted a phase II study to determine the effectiveness of a regimen incorporating rituximab (R-THP-COP) against DLBCL.

Patients: Six to 8 courses of the regimen were administered every 2 weeks in 48 patients who were younger than 70 years.

Results: The complete remission rate was 92%, the 3-year overall survival rate was 83% and 3-year progression free survival rate was 74%. No deaths were associated with the treatment regimen.

Conclusion: We conclude that R-THP-COP regimen is very effective against DLBCL. The results of our study urge randomized trials of R-CHOP and R-THP-COP among patients with CD20+ DLBCL.

Publication types

Clinical Trial, Phase II
Multicenter Study

MeSH terms

Aged
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
Doxorubicin / administration & dosage
Doxorubicin / adverse effects
Doxorubicin / analogs & derivatives
Drug Administration Schedule
Female
Humans
Infusions, Intravenous
Lymphoma, Large B-Cell, Diffuse / drug therapy*
Lymphoma, Large B-Cell, Diffuse / pathology
Male
Middle Aged
Nausea / chemically induced
Neutropenia / chemically induced
Prednisolone / administration & dosage
Prednisolone / adverse effects
Rituximab
Survival Analysis
Treatment Outcome
Vincristine / administration & dosage
Vincristine / adverse effects

Substances

Antibodies, Monoclonal, Murine-Derived
Rituximab
Vincristine
Doxorubicin
Cyclophosphamide
Prednisolone
pirarubicin