Rituximab in Combination with CHOP, an Effective and Well-tolerated Salvage Regimen for Diffuse Large B-Cell Lymphoma

OBJECTIVE To evaluate the clinical effect of the R-CHOP regimen (rituximab in combination with cyclophosphamide, epirubicin, vincristine and prednisone) in treating refractory or relapsed diffuse large B-cell lymphoma (DLBCL), as a salvage therapy for DLBCL. METHODS Eighteen patients with refractory or relapsed DLBCL who were treated with the R-CHOP regimen from 2001 to 2006 in hospitals in Jilin Province were analyzed retrospectively. The response rate, change of serum lactate dehydrogenase (LDH), time to progression (TTP) and toxicity were observed. RESULTS The R-CHOP regimen can achieve a higher response rate, decrease serum LDH to a larger extent and obtain longer TTP than a con- ventional secondary regimen. The main adverse effects were similar to con- ventional chemotherapy. CONCLUSION The R-CHOP regimen is one of the most effective sec- ondary therapies for DLBCL.