Practicability and acute haematological toxicity of 2- and 3-weekly CHOP and CHOEP chemotherapy for aggressive non-Hodgkin's lymphoma: results from the NHL-B trial of the German High-Grade Non-Hodgkin's Lymphoma Study Group (DSHNHL).

BACKGROUND: There is evidence that intensified variants of the classical 3-weekly CHOP-21 chemotherapy [cyclophosphamide (C), doxorubicin (H), vincristine (O), prednisone (P)] may improve treatment outcome in aggressive lymphoma. Three variants using either an addition of etoposide (CHOEP-21: 100 mg/m(2) on days 1-3), the shortening to 2-week intervals using recombinant human granulocyte colony-stimulating factor (rhG-CSF; CHOP-14) or both (CHOEP-14) are currently compared with CHOP-21 in the NHL-B trial of the German High-Grade Non-Hodgkin's Lymphoma Study Group (DSHNHL). To enable more extensive testing of these schemes we here characterise their practicability regarding schedule adherence, acute haematotoxicity and need for supportive treatment.

PATIENTS AND METHODS: The trial included patients with normal lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) aged </=60 years (NHL-B1) and patients aged 61-75 years (NHL-B2). The data are taken from an interim analysis. Data from 959 patients (CHOP-21: 232; CHOP-14: 238; CHOEP-21: 244; CHOEP-14: 245) from 162 institutions with a total of 5331 therapy cycles were evaluated.

RESULTS: The dose adherence in the NHL-B1 trial was excellent. The median relative dose (RD; i.e. actually given compared to planned dose) exceeds 98% for the myelosuppressive drugs in all four regimens. Only </=5% of patients received a relative dose <80% (RD <80). The median treatment duration could be shortened as scheduled for both CHOP-14 by 36 days and CHOEP-14 by 35 days. The dose adherence in the NHL-B2 trial was excellent for CHOP-21 and CHOP-14 for the myelosuppressive drugs (median RD >/=98%, RD <80 </=15%). Addition of etoposide, however, was accompanied by more dose erosion (median RD >/=97%, RD <80 </=17% for CHOEP-21 and </=27% for CHOEP-14). The median treatment duration could be shortened by 34 days with CHOP-14 compared with CHOP-21. Less treatment shortening was feasible for CHOEP-14 compared with CHOP-21 (median of 29 days). CHOP-14 and CHOP-21 were similar regarding toxicity profile, rate of infection, use of antibiotics, rate of transfusions and hospitalisation. CHOEP schemes were associated with a higher rate of infections, more transfusion requirements, more antibiotic use and longer hospitalisation than the CHOP schemes, particularly in patients aged >60 years. Haematopoietic recovery was age- and treatment-related.

CONCLUSIONS: CHOP-14 with the addition of rhG-CSF is safe and practicable in a large multicentre setting in patients aged 18-75 years. Despite shorter treatment intervals it can be delivered at the same dose as the classical 3-weekly CHOP with a comparable toxicity profile. The addition of etoposide is feasible and safe for patients </=60 years old in both the CHOEP-21 and CHOEP-14 schemes. For patients >60 years of age the addition of etoposide is associated with marked dose erosion due to increased toxicity. In this age group CHOEP should be used with caution.