Multicentre phase II study of CyclOBEAP plus rituximab in patients with diffuse large B‐cell lymphoma

The R-CHOP regimen has been found to improve the outcome of diffuse large B-cell lymphoma (DLBCL). However, it does not provide a satisfactory treatment outcome in the high-risk group. We previously administered the CyclOBEAP regimen to patients with DLBCL, and reported its safety and efficacy. The R-CyclOBEAP regimen was administered over a total period of 12 weeks, and rituximab 375 mg/m(2) was given every 2 weeks. There were 101 eligible patients. CR was achieved in 96 patients (95%). The 5-year overall survival (OS) rate was 85% and progression-free survival (PFS) rate was 76%. When the patients were divided according to the IPI, the 5-year OS and PFS rates did not significantly differ among the risk groups. The 5-year PFS of the germinal centre B-cell group was 80% and that of the non-GCB group was 74% (NS). Univariate analysis showed that the presence of B symptoms, extranodal lesions >or=2, and sIL-2R were significant poor prognostic factors. Grade 4 neutropenia was observed in 91 patients and thrombocytopenia in 9 patients. The addition of rituximab to CyclOBEAP therapy may enhance the effect of CyclOBEAP therapy for DLBCL.