The therapeutic effects of Rituximab on 32 diffuse large B cell non - Hodgkin lymphoma cases

OBJECTIVE To evaluate the therapeutic effects and side - effects of Rituximab on diffuse large B cell non - Hodgkin lymphoma (DLBCL). METHODS A prospective study with concurrent control group was applied. 68 cases with DLBCL were divided into 2 groups. The 32 cases in research group (Rituximab group) were administered Rituximab combined with CHOP (cyclophosphamide, doxombicin, vin-cristine, and prednisone) regimen. The remaining 36 cases in the control group were treated with CHOP regimen only. All cases were received a course of chemotherapy every 4 weeks and were evaluated after 3-6 courses. The two groups can be stratified into high - risk and low - intermediate - risk subgroups according to the international prognosis index (IPI). Then we analyzed the relationship between the effects and IPI. All cases were discontinued therapy after 6 courses and were followed up the observation of survival condition. RESULTS The complete remission (CR) rate and total response rate in Rituximab group were 56.3% and 87.5% respectively, while those corresponding rates in control group were 13.9% and 63.9% , respectively. The therapeutic differences between two groups showed statistical significance( P 0.001). The overall survival rates in Rituximab group after 6,12,24 and 36 months were 96.9%, 87.5%,71.9% and 65.5 % respectively, while those in control group were 91.7%, 80.6% ,58.3% and 41.7% respectively. The CR rate and partial remission (PR) rate of the high - risk and low - intermediate - risk subgroups in Rituximab group were 68.4 % , 26.3 % and 38.5 % , 38.5 % respectively ( P 0.01), and the CR rate and PR rate of the high-risk and low - intermediate - risk subgroups in control group were 15.8 % , 68.4 % and 11.8 % , 29.4 % respectively ( P 0.001) .CONCLUSION Comparing with CHOP regimen chemotherapy, Rituximab combined CHOP regimen showed higher therapeutic effects and 3 - year overall survival rate. The side - effects in the Rituximab group were no worse than those in the control group. Rituximab combined CHOP regimen should be the first choice in treating DLBCL.