Comparison of Rituximab plus CHOP regimen and CHOP regimen alone for treatment of patients with aggressive B-cell lymphoma

[Objective] This work is to evaluate the efficacy,survival and toxicity of combination of chemotherapy consisting of Rituximab and CHOP in patients with aggressive B-cell non-Hodgkin's lymphomas.[Methods] Forty patients with histopathologically proven CD20-positive aggressive B-cell non-Hodgkin's lymphomas were assigned into R-CHOP group(19 patients) and CHOP group(21 patients).CHOP regimen consisted of Cyclophosphamide,Vincristine,Epirubicin and Prednisone.The cycle was repeated every 21 days.R-CHOP regimen was Rituximab 375mg/m2 that was infused on the first day,and CHOP that followed on the second day.All of the patients received 6 chemotherapy cycles.The patients were followed up and the therapeutic effect was assessed.[Results] There were 10 CR and 7 PR in CHOP group and the overall response rate was 89.5%(17/19).There were 9 CR and 6 PR in R-CHOP group and the overall response rate was 71.4%(15/21).The response rate was significantly higher in the R-CHOP group than in the CHOP group(P0.05).The one-year survival rates were 89.5% in R-CHOP group and 71.4% in CHOP group respectively.The one-year PFS rates were 78.9% and 52.4% respectively in the two groups,with a significant difference between them(P0.05).The major side effects in the two groups were mild to moderate myelosuppression and gastrointestinal toxicity,without a significant difference between them(P0.05).[Conclusions] Combined chemotherapy including Rituximab and CHOP(R-CHOP) is recommended as the preferred treatment for aggressive B-cell non-Hodgkin's lymphoma because it is effect and well tolerated by the patients.