[Gemcitabine in the treatment of relapsed or refractory non-Hodgkin's lymphoma]

To evaluate the efficacy and drug-related toxicity of combined gemcitabine, cisplatin, and prednisone for the treatment of patients with relapsed or refractory aggressive non-Hodgkin's lymphoma (NHL).

Fifteen patients with histologically confirmed relapsed or refractory aggressive NHL were included in this study. Gemcitabine was given on D1, 8 of a three to four weeks schedule at a dose of 1000 mg/m(2) intravenously over 30 minutes for no less than three cycles, and cisplatin was given on D1-3 at a dose of 25 mg/m(2). Prednisone was taken orally on D1-5 at a dose of 60 mg/m(2).

Of 15 patients, 11 patients (73.3%) showed responses: 5 patients (33.3%) giving complete response and 6 patients (40.0%) partial response. Four patients' symptoms disappeared, and 1 in 6 patients was alleviated of type B symptoms. Drug-related toxic effects of chemotherapy were mild gastrointestinal reactions in most patients and severe bone marrow depression in very few patients.

The present combination of gemcitabine, cisplatin, prednisone possesses moderate short-term efficacy, acceptable toxicity, and alleviation of suffering related to the disease. This protocol is worthy to be warranted as salvage for relapsed or refractory aggressive NHL.