Clinical analysis of pirarubicin combined chemotherapy in 20 aged cases with malignant lymphoma

Objectives: To observe the efficacy and adverse response of pirarubicin(THP, T) combination chemotherapy in the aged cases with non Hodgkin's lymphoma (NHL). Methods: Twenty cases of NHL with an average age of 65 (60~83) were treated with CTX THP VCR Pred ( CTOP) regimen, and the dose of THP in each therapeutic course was 60mg. VP 16 or VM 26(E) was added to the regimen in 6 cases with progressive or high grade lymphoma. Results: Clinical regression(CR) occurred in 10 cases (50%), partialregression(PR) in 7 cases (35%), no change (NC) in 2 cases (10%), and progressive disease (PD) in 1 case (5%). Remission rate (CR+ PR) was 85% (17/20), total efficacy rate (CR+PR+NC) was 95% (19/20). All cases were followed up for 2~49 months, 3 cases died. Most cases had no or only mild gastrointestinal responses. WBC count decreased mildly or moderately in 7 cases, granulocytopenia occurred in 3 cases. Impairment of the heart or the liver function was respectively seen in 1 case. Conclusions: THP combination chemotherapy (CTOP/CTOPE) in the aged patients with non Hodgkin's lymphoma was proved here to have a satisfactory outcome, with high efficacy and mild adverse response.