Outcome for patients with relapsed/refractory aggressive lymphoma treated with gemcitabine and oxaliplatin with or without rituximab; a retrospective, multicentre study

Abstract

The treatment of relapsed aggressive lymphoma remains a challenge. Platinum-containing chemotherapy is standard of care. Gemcitabine/oxaliplatin (Gem-Ox) with or without rituximab (R) is an outpatient regimen with a favorable toxicity profile. This retrospective ‘real world’ study reports outcomes for 44 unselected patients with relapsed/refractory aggressive lymphoma treated with Gem-Ox ± R. 41% had primary refractory disease. The overall response rate (ORR) was 43% with a complete response (CR) of 30%. Response to the prior treatment regimen significantly affected the ORR with only 8% achieving CR if prior remission was <12 months. Grade 3–4 hematological toxicity was common and 22% had febrile neutropenia. Eight patients proceeded to stem cell transplant. Overall, outcomes remain poor with a median overall survival of 8 months. In this high-risk group of patients, Gem-Ox ± R results in similar responses to other more toxic, inpatient regimens and should therefore be considered as second line therapy in relapsed lymphoma.

Keywords:

• Gemcitabine
• oxaliplatin
• relapsed lymphoma

Acknowledgements

We thank all the patients and the members of staff involved in their care.

Potential conflict of interest

Disclosure forms provided by the authors are available with the full text of this article online at http://dx.doi.org/10.1080/10428194.2016.1276288.