Rituximab combined with GDP regimen can effectively improve the efficacy and immune function of non-Hodgkin lymphoma

To evaluate the efficacy of rituximab combined with GDP regimen (gemcitabine + cisplatin + dexamethasone) in the treatment of non-Hodgkin lymphoma and its impact on the immune function of patients.

Clinical data of 88 patients with non-Hodgkin lymphoma (NHL) treated in Affiliated Hospital of Yan'an University from February 2017 to February 2019 were analyzed retrospectively. Among them, 40 patients treated with the second-line regimen (gemcitabine + cisplatin + dexamethasone) were served as the control group, and 48 patients received additional rituximab were as the observation group. The therapeutic effect, incidence of adverse reactions, levels of complement (C3, C4) and immunoglobulin [immunoglobulin (Ig) G, IgM, IgA] before and after treatment were compared between the two groups. Cox regression analysis was used to analyze the prognostic factors of patients.

The total response rate of patients in observation group was higher than that in the control group (P<0.05). There was no significant difference in the incidence of adverse reactions (hair loss, nausea and vomiting, thrombocytopenia, anemia and bone marrow suppression) between the two groups (P>0.05). After treatment, the levels of C3 and C4 in both groups were lower than those before treatment, and the decrease in observation group were more evident than that in control group (P<0.05). No notable fluctuation was observed in the levels of IgG, IgM and IgA in both groups between before and after treatment (P>0.05). Cox regression analysis found that Ann Arbor stage and pretreatment disease status were the factors affecting the prognosis of patients.

Rituximab combined with GDP regimen has a significant effect on the treatment of non-Hodgkin lymphoma, and Ann Arbor stage and pretreatment disease state are prognostic factors for patients with NHL.