Phase I trial examining addition of gemcitabine to CHOP in intermediate grade NHL

Gemcitabine induces a 20% response as single-agent therapy in patients with relapsed or refractory NHL. We report phase I findings of gemcitabine in combination with standard CHOP chemotherapy with G-CSF support for intermediate grade NHL. The protocol was modified during enrollment to include rituximab in CD 20+ lymphomas.

Patients received CHOP plus gemcitabine at 500 mg/m(2) (Cohort 1) or 750 mg/m(2) (Cohort 2) on days 1 and 4 of each 21-day cycle. Accrual was suspended once each cohort was filled. Dose escalation occurred after all patients in the cohort were determined to not have a dose-limiting toxicity.

Between April 2002 and May 2004, 10 patients were enrolled and completed the study treatment (6 in Cohort 1, 4 in Cohort 2). In Cohort 1, grade 3 toxicities included neutropenia, anemia, neuropathy, and constipation. Grade 4 toxicities were febrile neutropenia and thrombocytopenia. In Cohort 2, grade 3 toxicities included neutropenia, thrombocytopenia, mucositis, anemia, and intestinal obstruction. Grade 4 toxicities included febrile neutropenia, neutropenia, and thrombocytopenia. One patient developed MDS 36 months after chemotherapy. Three of four patients in Cohort 2 developed dose-limiting toxicities (mucositis and thrombocytopenia) requiring dose reduction in gemcitabine after cycle 1. Overall, the survival rate at 2.5 years was 71%.

This Phase I trial concludes that gemcitabine 500 mg/m(2) on days 1 and 4 of each 21-day cycle is the maximum tolerated dose when combined with standard CHOP chemotherapy with G-CSF support for intermediate grade NHL.