Objectives:

To assess the efficacy and safety of da-EPOCH-R as frontline treatment for patients diagnosed with Stage III/IV Diffuse Large B-Cell Lymphoma.

Methods:

We conducted a retrospective study of newly diagnosed patients with advanced Diffuse Large B-Cell Lymphoma from January 2008 till September 2015, who received frontline da-EPOCH-R or R-CHOP at our Health System. We excluded patients with primary CNS lymphoma, primary testicular lymphoma and patients who received chemotherapy for a prior lymphoma.

25 patients who received da-EPOCH-R and 50 patients who received R-CHOP were identified. Da-EPOCH-R regimen consisted of Etoposide 50mg/m2/day, Doxorubucin 10mg/m2/day and Vincristine 0.4mg/m2/day given on Days 1-4, Cyclophosphamide 750mg/m2 on Day 5, Prednisone 60mg/m2 twice a day from Days 1-6 and Rituximab 375mg/m2given on Day 5. On Day 6 G-CSF was administered. Each cycle was given every 21 days for a total of 6 cycles. The dose of Etoposide, Doxorubucin and Cyclophosphamide was adjusted according to standard protocols. All patients on the da-EPOCH arm were on Acyclovir, Ciprofloxacin, Fluconazole and Trimethoprim-Sulfamethoxazole for anti-microbial prophylaxis during their treatment. The use of growth factors and anti-microbial prophylaxis was inconsistent in the R-CHOP arm.

Results:

When comparing the da-EPOCH-R arm versus the R-CHOP arm, the average age of the patients was 50 years (25-81) vs 60 years (19-84). High-risk IPI was similar in both arms (76% vs 74%). The percentage of non-germinal center type (non-GCB) was equal as well (36% vs 32%). The average number of cycles administered was 5.3 compared to 4.8. There were more dose reductions in the da-EPOCH-R arm (36% vs 24%), however fewer delays and cessations were noted (36% vs 54%).

After a median follow up of 29.1 months, the age-adjusted overall survival (77% vs. 69%, p=0.093) and disease-free survival (76% vs. 55% p=0.54) was improved in the da-EPOCH-R arm. In the non-GCB variant da-EPOCH improved overall survival by 77% (p=0.024). The Overall Response Rate was higher in the da-EPOCH-R arm 80% (CR/CRU=64% and PR=16%) vs. 56% (CR/CRU=44% and PR=12%). The relapse rate was lower in the da-EPOCH-R arm (16% vs 28%), and it was lower in the non-GCB patients as well (11% vs 25%). There were more Grade 3-4 neutropenia in the da-EPOCH arm (72% vs 48%), however infectious complications were lower (24% vs 42%). There were fewer unplanned admissions in the da-EPOCH arm (32% vs 60%) and a significantly lower treatment related mortality (12% vs 22%). Other Grade 3-4 toxicities too were lower in the da-EPOCH-R arm (20% vs 30%). Conclusion:

Our preliminary results suggest that da-EPOCH-R has a survival benefit especially in the non-GCB subgroup. Our data does show good survival data even for the GCB subtypes. There was a higher response rate, lower relapse rate and no added toxicities in patients who received da-EPOCH-R. A Phase III trial is currently ongoing and will provide us with answers regarding the efficacy and toxicities of this chemotherapy regimen.

Disclosures

No relevant conflicts of interest to declare.

Author notes

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Asterisk with author names denotes non-ASH members.

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