Rituximab Does Not Significantly Increase Survival in Older Patients with Diffuse Large B-Cell Lymphoma

Strategic Insights -

A study presented at the 45th Annual Meeting of the American Society of Hematology found that adding rituximab to the standard chemotherapy regimen for lymphoma patients with diffuse large B-cell lymphoma did not significantly increase survival in older patients. The research team, led by Thomas Habermann, MD, of the Eastern Cooperative Oncology Group, Boston, randomized 632 patients to either R-CHOP (cyclophosphamide, doxorubicin, vincristine, and prednisone with rituximab) or CHOP alone. The study found that the overall response rates achieved were 77% with R-CHOP vs. 76% with CHOP alone, and progressive disease during treatment occurred in 6.5% of patients on R-CHOP vs. 10.5% on CHOP alone.

Key Takeaways:

  • Adding rituximab to the CHOP regimen as a first-line treatment for diffuse large B-cell lymphoma did not influence overall response rates or early progression in patients.
  • The study found that the addition of rituximab to the CHOP regimen did not significantly impact overall survival in older patients with diffuse large B-cell lymphoma.
  • Researchers randomized 632 patients to either R-CHOP (318 patients) or CHOP (314 patients), and found that the time-to-treatment failure (TTF) favored R-CHOP for induction, but there was no difference in overall survival.
  • Patients who received R-CHOP had a higher overall response rate (77%) compared to those who received CHOP alone (76%).
  • Progressive disease during treatment occurred in 6.5% of patients on R-CHOP vs. 10.5% on CHOP alone.

Statistics:

  • Research team randomized 632 patients to either R-CHOP (318 patients) or CHOP (314 patients).
  • Overall response rates achieved were 77% with R-CHOP vs. 76% with CHOP alone.
  • Progressive disease during treatment occurred in 6.5% of patients on R-CHOP vs. 10.5% on CHOP alone.
  • Median follow-up of 2.7 years showed no difference in overall survival.
  • Time-to-treatment failure (TTF) favored R-CHOP for induction.
  • Approximately 31% of all lymphomas are diffuse large B-cell lymphoma (DLBCL).

Sources:

  • (NewsRx.com & NewsRx.net), December 29, 2003
  • Thomas Habermann, MD, Eastern Cooperative Oncology Group, Boston
  • American Society of Hematology (ASH)
  • American Cancer Society
  • Health & Medicine Week editors