Rituximab tolerability when given before or after CHOP

To determine the tolerability of rituximab, specifically cytokine release syndrome/acute infusion reactions (CRS), when it is administered before or after cyclophosphamide, doxorubicin, vincristine, and prednisone (CHOP) chemotherapy in patients with non-Hodgkin's lymphoma (NHL).

This study is a retrospective analysis of patients identified through pharmacy chemotherapy records. Inclusion criteria were diagnosis of NHL, first cycle of rituximab with CHOP or modified CHOP (mCHOP), treated between 1/1/04 and 6/30/09, age 18 years and greater, and inpatient status. Patients were excluded if their records/information were unavailable. Patients were divided into two groups based on practices observed at our institution: rituximab followed by CHOP (R-CHOP) or CHOP followed by rituximab (CHOP-R). Patient records were reviewed to determine demographic data, CRS, vital signs, evidence of chills/rigors, use of rescue medications, and rituximab infusion rates.

One-hundred thirteen patients meeting the inclusion criteria were divided into two groups: R-CHOP (n=29) and CHOP-R (n=84). R-CHOP patients experienced numerically more CRS (65.5% vs. 42.9%, p=0.0517) and significantly more chills/rigors (p=0.0376). Maximum and minimum oxygen (O(2)) saturations were significantly lower in the R-CHOP group (p=0.0444 and 0.0165, respectively). Maximum temperature was significantly higher in the R-CHOP group (p=0.0047). There was no difference between groups in use of rescue medications (p=1). R-CHOP patients required significantly more rate reductions (p=0.0431) than CHOP-R patients, although there was no difference in final tolerated rate between groups.

Patients with NHL who receive rituximab after CHOP experience significantly fewer chills/rigors, higher oxygen saturations, lower maximum temperatures, and fewer rate reductions than patients who receive rituximab before CHOP.