Abstract.
We assessed the efficacy and safety of full-dose CHOP regimen plus granulocyte colony-stimulating factor to treat aggressive non-Hodgkin's lymphoma in elderly patients. Forty-two patients with untreated disease were included in this study, aged 70–79 years, with stage II or higher disease and a performance status of 0–3, without severe organ dysfunction. Of the 40 patients who could be evaluated 87.5% achieved complete remission, with a 4-year survival rate of 69% and a 3-year progression-free survival rate of 49%. When stratified by the International prognostic Index, the 4-year survival rate was 90.9% for the low and low-intermediate risk group and 41.3% for the high-intermediate and high risk group, whereas the 3-year progression survival rate was 87.7% and 11.3%, respectively. Grade 3 or 4 hematological toxicity was found in 31 instances of granulocytopenia (77.5%) and 7 of anemia (17.5%). Nonhematological toxicity of grade 3 or 4 included pneumonia in two patients, heart failure in one, and gastrointestinal bleeding in one. Full-dose CHOP regimen with granulocyte colony-stimulating factor support could achieve a high-dose intensity in elderly patients whose general physical condition was good and hence achieved a high complete remission rate, but the disease often recurred within 2 years. Consequently, a new therapeutic strategy needs to be established, particularly for patients with high-intermediate or high risk.
Similar content being viewed by others
Author information
Authors and Affiliations
Additional information
Electronic Publication
Rights and permissions
About this article
Cite this article
Niitsu, .N., Iijima, .K. Full-dose CHOP chemotherapy combined with granulocyte colony-stimulating factor for aggressive non-Hodgkin's lymphoma in elderly patients: a prospective study. Ann Hematol 80, 602–606 (2001). https://doi.org/10.1007/s002770100358
Received:
Accepted:
Issue Date:
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s002770100358