Practicability and acute haematological toxicity of 2- and 3-weekly CHOP and CHOEP chemotherapy for aggressive non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma: results from the NHL-B trial of the GermanHigh-Grade Non-Hodgkin’s Lymphoma Study Group (DSHNHL)

Open Access
Publisher Website
Google Scholar
Abstract
Background: There is evidence that intensified variants of the classical 3-weekly CHOP-21 chemotherapy [cyclophosphamide (C), doxorubicin (H), vincristine (O), prednisone (P)] may improve treatment outcome in aggressive lymphoma. Three variants using either an addition of etoposide (CHOEP-21: 100 mg/m2 on days 1–3), the shortening to 2-week intervals using recombinant human granulocyte colony-stimulating factor (rhG-CSF; CHOP-14) or both (CHOEP-14) are currently compared with CHOP-21 in the NHL-B trial of the German High-Grade Non-Hodgkin’s Lymphoma Study Group (DSHNHL). To enable more extensive testing of these schemes we here characterise their practicability regarding schedule adherence, acute haematotoxicity and need for supportive treatment. Patients and methods: The trial included patients with normal lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) aged ≤60 years (NHL-B1) and patients aged 61–75 years (NHL-B2). The data are taken from an interim analysis. Data from 959 patients (CHOP-21: 232; CHOP-14: 238; CHOEP-21: 244; CHOEP-14: 245) from 162 institutions with a total of 5331 therapy cycles were evaluated. Results: The dose adherence in the NHL-B1 trial was excellent. The median relative dose (RD; i.e. actually given compared to planned dose) exceeds 98% for the myelosuppressive drugs in all four regimens. Only ≤5% of patients received a relative dose Conclusions: CHOP-14 with the addition of rhG-CSF is safe and practicable in a large multicentre setting in patients aged 18–75 years. Despite shorter treatment intervals it can be delivered at the same dose as the classical 3-weekly CHOP with a comparable toxicity profile. The addition of etoposide is feasible and safe for patients ≤60 years old in both the CHOEP-21 and CHOEP-14 schemes. For patients >60 years of age the addition of etoposide is associated with marked dose erosion due to increased toxicity. In this age group CHOEP should be used with caution.