Clinical observation on Rituximab combined with CTOP regimen in treatment of diffuse large B cell lymphoma

Objective To evaluate the efficacy and toxicity of combination chemotherapy consisting of Rituximab and CTOP in patients with diffuse large B-cell lymphoma(DLBCL).Methods A total of 36 patients with diffuse large B-cell lymphoma were divided into 2 groups: 18 received CTOP plus Rituximab(375mg/m2,1day before each course)(combination group);18 received CHOP alone.Each course lasted 21 days.All cases were evaluated after 6 courses,All patients were followed up.Results The complete response rate and overall response rate were 55.6% and 88.9%,respectively,in the combination group,and 38.9% and 61.1%,respectively,in the CTOP group.The complete response rate in the combination group was significantly higher than that in the CTOP group(P0.05).The 1-and2-year survival rates were 83.5%and71.3%,respectively,in the combination group and 78.3%and41.2%,respectively,in the CTOP group.The 2-year survival rate was significantly higher in the combination group than in the CTOP group(P0.05).The major side effects in the two groups were mild to moderate myelosuppression and gastrointestinal toxicity,without a significant difference between the two groups(P0.05).Conclusions Rituximab plus chemotherapy increased the therapeutic efficacy in clinic.The patients had well tolerance and longer survival time.Rituximab-containing chemotherapeutic regimens should be the first choice for DLBCL.