Dexamethasone, oxaliplatin and cytarabine (R-DHAOx) as salvage and stem cells mobilizing therapy in relapsed/refractory diffuse large B cell lymphomas

Abstract

Cisplatin-containing salvage regimens followed by autologous hematopoietic stem cell (HSC) transplantation are the current standard of care for relapsed or refractory (R/R) lymphomas. We retrospectively analyzed efficacy and stem cell mobilizing activity of oxaliplatin, cytarabine, dexamethasone and rituximab (R-DHAOx) in 53 R/R diffuse large B cell lymphomas (DLBCL) treated in our center (median lines 2, range 2-5; median age 59, range 22–79). Hematological toxicity was manageable and no patients experienced renal impairment. After 2 courses the overall response rate was 60% (CR 49%, PR 11%). Median overall survival (OS) was 30.53 months (95% CI 11.5–49.55), 3-year OS 40.5%. Twenty-two eligible patients collected HSC and transplantation was performed in 21/22 patients (95%), after a median of 52 days from last cycle. Our results suggest that in DLBCL R-DHAOx has an excellent stem cell mobilizing capability, response rate comparable to cisplatin-containing regimens and good toxicity profile.

Keywords:

• Oxaliplatin
• refractory/relapsed diffuse large B cell lymphoma
• salvage
• stem cell mobilization

Author contributions

FB, MM designed the research. MG and RML supervised the research. LM, EC, FC and LG collected all data. FG, PM and MC analyzed all data. RM, MC, AC revised all adverse events reports. LM, RM, MC, FG and PM wrote the manuscript. RML, FB and MG revised the final version of the manuscript. All authors approved the final version of the manuscript.

Disclosure statement

No potential conflict of interest was reported by the authors.