Diffuse Large B-Cell Lymphoma Treated With R-CHOP in a Resource-Limited Setting in South Africa: A Real-World Study.

Area of Science:

• Oncology
• Hematology
• Clinical Research

Background:

• Diffuse large B-cell lymphoma (DLBCL) is the most common non-Hodgkin's lymphoma globally, with high incidence in HIV-prevalent regions.
• Rituximab-CHOP (R-CHOP) is the standard treatment, but rituximab accessibility is a challenge in developing nations.

Purpose of the Study:

• To evaluate the feasibility and outcomes of R-CHOP for HIV-negative DLBCL patients in a resource-limited setting.
• To identify prognostic factors affecting survival in this patient cohort.

Main Methods:

• Retrospective cohort study of HIV-negative DLBCL patients treated with R-CHOP from 2012-2017.
• Collection of clinical and demographic data to analyze survival outcomes.

Main Results:

• 73 patients were included; median age 55, 60.3% female, 53.5% with stage III/IV disease.
• 3- and 5-year progression-free survival: 75% and 69%; 3- and 5-year overall survival: 77% and 74%.
• Overall survival was significantly impacted by performance status (P=.04) and response to R-CHOP (P=.005), but not IPI or age.

Conclusions:

• R-CHOP treatment is feasible and yields good outcomes for DLBCL in resource-limited settings.
• Poor performance status emerged as the primary adverse prognostic factor for HIV-negative patients.