3A Comparison between R-THP-COP and R-CHOP Regimens for the Treatment of Diffuse Large B-cell Lymphoma in Old Patients: A Single-institution Analysis

OBJECTIVE: We retrospectively compared the clinical efficacy and toxicity of rituximab (R)-THP-COP (pirarubicin, cyclophosphamide, vincristine, and prednisolone) with that of R-CHOP (rituximab, adriamicin, cyclophosphamide, vincristine, and prednisolone) in previously untreated old patients with diffuse large B-cell lymphoma (DLBCL). PATIENTS AND METHODS: Patients admitted to our institution between 2004 and 2013 were examined. The patients received either R(375 mg/m(2), day 1)-THP-COP (pirarubicin 50 mg/m(2) day 1, cyclophosphamide 750 mg/m(2) day 1, vincristine 1.4 mg/m(2) day 1, and prednisolone 100 mg day 1-5) or R-CHOP (adriamicin 50 mg/m(2) day 1, cyclophosphamide 750 mg/m(2) day 1, vincristine 1.4 mg/m(2) day 1, and prednisolone 100 mg day 1-5). The doses of chemotherapeutic agents were adjusted depending on the patient's age and associated complications. The treatment was performed for 6 to 8 cycles. RESULTS: Among 74 patients with DLBCL (median 76, range 65-90 years; male 39, female 35), 29 received R-THP-COP, while 45 received R-CHOP. The overall response rates were 94.6% (complete response 86.4%, partial response 8.1%). The 2-year overall and progression-free survival rates were 77.6% and 68.5% for the R-THP-COP regimen and 79.2% and 78.9% for R-CHOP, respectively. No significant differences were found between these two regimens regarding the clinical efficacies. The most frequent adverse event was neutropenia (72.4% for the R-THP-COP regimen, 88.9% for the R-CHOP regimen). The cardiac function as evaluated by ejection fraction values was not impaired in either regimen. CONCLUSION: R-THP-COP was effective and safe as an alternative to R-CHOP.