Use of gemcitabine, oxaliplatin, and anti-CD20 therapy in children and adolescents with non-Hodgkin lymphoma unfit for intensive therapy

Pediatr Blood Cancer. 2023 Apr;70(4):e30214. doi: 10.1002/pbc.30214. Epub 2023 Jan 24.

Abstract

Multiagent immunochemotherapy affords excellent outcomes in pediatric non-Hodgkin lymphoma (NHL); however, scarce data exist for patients unfit for intensive treatment. Rituximab, gemcitabine, and oxaliplatin (R-GemOx) is well tolerated and efficacious in elderly adults with NHL; however, its use has not been described in pediatrics. In this retrospective, single-center study, six children with mature B-cell NHL and significant comorbidities received anti-CD20 therapy with GemOx (rituximab or obinutuzumab or ofatumumab with gemcitabine and oxaliplatin [R/O-GemOx]). R/O-GemOx was well tolerated and resulted in complete response in two of three patients with newly diagnosed NHL and one of three patients with primary refractory NHL. R/O-GemOx is a viable treatment option for children with NHL who cannot tolerate intensive therapy.

Keywords: comorbidities; medically unfit; pediatric non-Hodgkin lymphoma.

MeSH terms

  • Adolescent
  • Adult
  • Aged
  • Antineoplastic Combined Chemotherapy Protocols / therapeutic use
  • Child
  • Deoxycytidine
  • Gemcitabine*
  • Humans
  • Lymphoma, Non-Hodgkin* / drug therapy
  • Oxaliplatin
  • Retrospective Studies
  • Rituximab
  • Treatment Outcome

Substances

  • Gemcitabine
  • Rituximab
  • Oxaliplatin
  • Deoxycytidine