Korean J Hematol.  2007 Dec;42(4):309-316. 10.5045/kjh.2007.42.4.309.

Rituximab and ESHAP as Second-line Therapy for Relapsed or Primary Refractory Diffuse Large B Cell Lymphoma: The Experience of a Single Center in Korea

• Ko OB
• Kim S
• Lee DH
• Kim SW
• Huh J
• Suh C

• KMID: 2252215
• DOI: http://doi.org/10.5045/kjh.2007.42.4.309

Abstract

BACKGROUND: The remission status prior to autologous stem cell transplantation (ASCT) influences the transplantation outcome in patients with relapsed or primary refractory diffuse large B cell lymphoma (DLBCL), a complete response (CR) generally being more favorable than a partial response (PR). This study investigated whether the addition of rituximab to the ESHAP chemotherapy regimen (R-ESHAP) could improve the CR rate in patients with relapsed or primary refractory DLBCL.
METHODS
Retrospective analysis was performed with DLBCL registry data.
RESULTS
Sixteen patients who had previously received one course of chemotherapy were administered R-ESHAP (median 3 cycles; range 1~6). The overall response rate of 75% (CR=50%; PR=25%), was significantly better than that achieved with ESHAP alone in 13 historical controls (31%; P=0.027). The toxicity was tolerable, with two febrile neutropenia episodes in 51 treatment cycles. Seven of the 12 responders to R-ESHAP underwent ASCT with BEAM. After a median follow-up of 17 months, the median survival endpoints have not been reached.
CONCLUSION
R-ESHAP appears to induce high CR rates in relapsed or refractory DLBCL with acceptable toxicity.

Keyword

Rituximab; ESHAP; Salvage chemotherapy; DLBCL

MeSH Terms

Drug Therapy
Febrile Neutropenia
Follow-Up Studies
Humans
Korea*
Lymphoma, B-Cell*
Retrospective Studies
Stem Cell Transplantation
Rituximab

Figure

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  Fig. 1 Overall survival of patients treated with R-ESHAP or ESHAP.

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  Fig. 2 Progression-free survival of patients treated with R-ESHAP or ESHAP.

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