[The choice of second-line chemotherapy for malignant lymphoma]

The choice of second-line chemotherapy for malignant lymphoma in cases of both Hodgkin lymphoma and non-Hodgkin lymphoma depends on the results of first-line therapies. However, the trends in first-line therapy for malignant lymphoma have undergone significant changes over the last few years. The change has resulted from three facts: 1) the concept of dose intensity had to be revised, 2) newly-found prognostic factors have shown the need for therapy that takes risk grouping into consideration, and 3) new therapies, such as immunotherapy using monoclonal antibodies, have emerged. Based on these recent trends, this paper describes salvage therapies as a "recommendation" or "guideline" for cases of relapse or therapy-resistant disease which involve standard therapeutic measures.