Rituximab, Ara-C, dexamethasone and oxaliplatin (R-ADOx) is effective for treatment of elderly patients with relapsed mantle cell lymphoma.

PURPOSE: The management of patients with mantle cell lymphoma (MCL) not eligible for stem cell transplantation in relapse after receiving standard approaches remains challenging, and the search for active and tolerable regimens is still warranted.

PATIENTS AND METHODS: We have retrospectively analyzed activity of rituximab (375 mg/m(2) i.v. day 1), Ara-C (1,000 mg i.v. total twice daily on day 2) and oxaliplatin (130 mg/m(2) i.v. day 3) (R-ADOx) in 12 patients (median age 69 years) with relapsed MCL.

RESULTS: Patients had been heavily pretreated (median 3 prior therapies, range 1-9) and had stage III/IV disease. Nine out of 12 patients responded (75 %, 4 CR, 5 PR). Median progression-free survival was 9.3 months, and overall survival has not been reached. Adverse events greater than grade II included anemia (17 %) and thrombocytopenia (33 %).

CONCLUSION: R-ADOx is active and well tolerated in heavily pretreated MCL patients.