Reduced-Intensity Anthracycline-Free Chemoimmunotherapy in Elderly Patients With Newly Diagnosed or Relapsed Diffuse Large B-Cell Lymphoma

Abstract

Diffuse large B-cell lymphoma (DLBCL) is the most common type of non-Hodgkin lymphoma (NHL); it has a cure rate of approximately 50% with standard anthracycline-based chemoimmunotherapy. However, the clinical outcomes of elderly unfit/frail DLBCL patients remain suboptimal due to poor tolerance of anthracycline-containing regimens. Herein, we report a series of seven elderly unfit patients with DLBCL who were treated with a reduced-intensity anthracycline-free chemoimmunotherapy (rituximab, cyclophosphamide, vincristine, and prednisone) regimen combined with lenalidomide (R₂-COP). Five patients received R₂-COP as first-line therapy, and two patients were treated for relapsed DLBCL. Four patients with newly diagnosed DLBCL and two with relapsed disease achieved complete remission. The R₂-COP regimen was well tolerated. Interim positron emission tomography (PET) scans in four patients after two to three cycles showed a complete metabolic response. At a median follow-up of 24 months, six patients remain in complete remission. R₂-COP is an effective anthracycline-free regimen with encouraging clinical activity in elderly DLBCL patients who are unfit for standard anthracycline-containing regimens.

J Hematol. 2023;12(4):176-186
doi: https://doi.org/10.14740/jh1144