Recent developments in the treatment of aggressive non-Hodgkin lymphoma

Blood Rev. 2009 Jan;23(1):11-23. doi: 10.1016/j.blre.2008.05.002. Epub 2008 Jul 11.

Abstract

Options for treating aggressive non-Hodgkin lymphoma (NHL) have expanded in recent years. In phase 3 clinical trials, giving rituximab with cyclophosphamide, vincristine, doxorubicin, and prednisone (CHOP) every 3 weeks (R-CHOP-21) has been associated with improved survival, without increased toxicity, in all patient groups studied. Giving dose-dense CHOP--CHOP every 2 weeks (CHOP-14)--has also proved appropriate for all patients 18-75 years old. Studies combining these approaches--dose-dense CHOP with rituximab (R-CHOP-14)--have shown improved survival over CHOP-14 in patients 60-81 years old. These results also indicate the importance of delivering chemotherapy at full dose and on schedule, which can improve survival in aggressive NHL. Effective delivery of dose-dense regimens requires granulocyte colony-stimulating factor support, which should also be considered for standard CHOP. A key question for the future is whether R-CHOP-14 is superior to R-CHOP-21.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't
  • Review

MeSH terms

  • Antibodies, Monoclonal / administration & dosage
  • Antibodies, Monoclonal / therapeutic use*
  • Antibodies, Monoclonal, Murine-Derived
  • Antineoplastic Combined Chemotherapy Protocols / administration & dosage
  • Antineoplastic Combined Chemotherapy Protocols / therapeutic use*
  • Clinical Trials, Phase III as Topic
  • Granulocyte Colony-Stimulating Factor / administration & dosage
  • Granulocyte Colony-Stimulating Factor / therapeutic use
  • Humans
  • Lymphoma, Non-Hodgkin / drug therapy*
  • Lymphoma, Non-Hodgkin / mortality
  • Prednisone / administration & dosage
  • Prednisone / therapeutic use*
  • Rituximab

Substances

  • Antibodies, Monoclonal
  • Antibodies, Monoclonal, Murine-Derived
  • Granulocyte Colony-Stimulating Factor
  • Rituximab
  • Prednisone