Cyclophosphamide, doxorubicin, vincristine, prednisone and rituximab versus epirubicin, cyclophosphamide, vinblastine, prednisone and rituximab for the initial treatment of elderly “fit” patients with diffuse large B-cell lymphoma: results from the ANZINTER3 trial of the Intergruppo Italiano Linfomi

Abstract

We conducted a prospective study to compare epirubicin, cyclophosphamide, vinblastine, prednisone and rituximab (R-miniCEOP) with cyclophosphamide, doxorubicin, vincristine, prednisone and rituximab (R-CHOP) for the treatment of “fit” elderly patients with diffuse large B-cell lymphoma (DLBCL). Patients over the age of 65 with stage II–IV DLBCL were screened with a comprehensive geriatric assessment. Patients were randomized to receive six courses of R-miniCEOP (n = 114) or R-CHOP (n = 110). Overall, the rate of complete remission was 70% (p = 0.466). After a median follow-up of 42 months, 5-year event-free survival (EFS) rates were 46% and 48% for R-miniCEOP and R-CHOP, respectively (p = 0.538). Patients older than 72 years and with low-risk disease had a better outcome when treated with R-miniCEOP (p = 0.011). Overall R-CHOP and R-miniCEOP are similarly effective for elderly “fit” patients with DLBCL. The less intense R-miniCEOP may be an acceptable option for the treatment of relatively older patients with low-risk disease.

Keywords::

• R-CHOP
• R-miniCEOP
• diffuse large B-cell lymphoma
• elderly
• fit patients

Acknowledgements

This work was supported by grants from the Associazione Angela Serra per la Ricerca sul Cancro, Modena, Italy, and GR.A.D.E. Onlus (Gruppo Amici Dell'Ematologia-Onlus), Reggio Emilia, Italy.

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