Comparison of R-CHOP with CHOP in Patients of Diffuse Large B Cell Lymphoma

Abstract

Objective: Diffuse large B cell lymphoma (DLBCL) is a lymphoid B cells neoplasm with a diffuse pattern and high proliferation rate. Cyclophosphamide, doxorubicin, vincristine and prednisolone (CHOP) was considered effective as other complicated regimens with more toxicity profile. Rituximab is a monoclonal antibody directed against CD20 positive B cell. It has good activity therapeutically in patients of DLBCL. It increases response rates and survivals when added to CHOP chemotherapy. Although R-CHOP is more effective but due to high cost of Rituximab it is usually not incorporated with chemotherapy in most of our patients and CHOP is still used extensively. Due to heterogeneity of disease and difference in ethnicity, there may be difference in outcomes of two regimens. This study will help us in tailoring our management plan that will result in better outcome of patients. Methods: 70 patients aged between 20-65 years having DLBCL were taken in this study. We rando-mized patients by lottery method into two groups. Group I received CHOP with dose of Cyclophosphamide 750mg/m2, Doxorubicin 50mg/m2, Vincristine 1.4 mg/m2 and prednisolone 40mg/m2.Chemotherapy was given on Day-1 while prednisolone was given for 5 days from Day-1 of chemotherapy. Group II received RCHOP which includes same chemotherapy with same dosage. Rituximab was included in Group II with dose of Rituximab 375 mg /m2. Each cycle was given at three weeks interval. Response in terms of CR (Complete Response), PR (Partial Response), SD (Stable Disease) or PD (Progressive Disease) was evaluated as per leukemia network after 4 cycles of chemotherapy. The quantitative variables were calculated by taking mean and standard deviation. The response was assessed in percentage and frequencies and compared by applying chi square test. Results: Group I had 37.1% while Group II had 68.6% complete response with p value of 0.019. Partial response was 48.6% in Group I while 20.0% in Group II. 14.3% in Group I and 8.6% in Group II either had stable disease or progressive disease. Conclusions: R-CHOP has superior response rates as compared to CHOP, therefore, whenever possible Rituximab should be added as target therapy in chemotherapy.