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Phase II study of Rituximab combined with THP-COP as first-line therapy for patients younger than 70 years with
Takeshi Hara1, Hisashi Tsurumi, Naoe Goto
1First Department of Internal Medicine, Gifu University Graduate School of Medicine, 1-1 Yanagido, Gifu 501-1194, Japan.
Introduction:
We previously described the effectiveness of the THP-COP regimen comprising cyclophosphamide, pirarubicin (tetrahydropyranyl adriamycin; THP), vincristine and prednisolone in patients with diffuse large B-cell lymphoma (DLBCL). The anthracycline drug THP was apparently less cardiotoxic than doxorubicin. However, that study was completed before rituximab was introduced into clinical practice. We conducted a phase II study to determine the effectiveness of a regimen incorporating rituximab (R-THP-COP) against DLBCL.
Patients:
Six to 8 courses of the regimen were administered every 2 weeks in 48 patients who were younger than 70 years.
Results:
The complete remission rate was 92%, the 3-year overall survival rate was 83% and 3-year progression free survival rate was 74%. No deaths were associated with the treatment regimen.
Conclusion:
We conclude that R-THP-COP regimen is very effective against DLBCL. The results of our study urge randomized trials of R-CHOP and R-THP-COP among patients with CD20+ DLBCL.
