Premature cardiovascular mortality in lymphoma patients treated with (R)-CHOP regimen - a national multicenter study

Premature cardiovascular mortality related to chemotherapy and occurred in lymphoma survivors before disease progression is one of significant clinical failure of modern hematology. The aim of this retrospective analysis was to evaluate early cardiovascular mortality and its predictors in patients treated with the (R)-CHOP regimen.

The study assessed 610 patients: 581 patients were treated with non-liposomal doxorubicin (cumulative dose of 337 ± 96 mg/m2), and 29 patients with liposomal non-pegylated doxorubicin (cumulative dose of 237 ± 126 mg/m2). Their present status, history of cardiovascular diseases and associated risk factors were recorded.

The analysis identified 93 deaths (15.5%): 51 cases (55%) related to lymphoma disease progression and 28 (30%) to cardiovascular complications. Multivariate Cox analysis revealed history of previous heart diseases (HR=4.71; CI: 3.82-5.6; p<0.001), ECG rhythm abnormalities related to chemotherapy (HR=4,78; CI: 3.63-5.92; p=0,01), and lack of complete remission (HR=2.73; CI: 1.78-3.66; p=0.03), as the independent predictors for cardiovascular death. Neither decreased LVEF nor increasing cumulative dose of anthracyclines had a significant predictive value for cardiovascular prognosis.

The study indicated that cardiovascular mortality in lymphoma patients treated with (R)-CHOP regimen is relatively high and ECG monitoring may be the most effective in cardiological risk assessment. The unfavorable outcome depended on lack of complete remission that seems to be a consequence of patients' individual susceptibility for cardiac events, which should become a purpose of further trials.