Gemcitabine in the treatment of relapsed or refractory non-Hodgkin's lymphoma / 中华肿瘤杂志

ABSTRACT

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To evaluate the efficacy and drug-related toxicity of combined gemcitabine, cisplatin, and prednisone for the treatment of patients with relapsed or refractory aggressive non-Hodgkin's lymphoma (NHL).</p><p><b>METHODS</b>Fifteen patients with histologically confirmed relapsed or refractory aggressive NHL were included in this study. Gemcitabine was given on D1, 8 of a three to four weeks schedule at a dose of 1000 mg/m(2) intravenously over 30 minutes for no less than three cycles, and cisplatin was given on D1-3 at a dose of 25 mg/m(2). Prednisone was taken orally on D1-5 at a dose of 60 mg/m(2).</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>Of 15 patients, 11 patients (73.3%) showed responses: 5 patients (33.3%) giving complete response and 6 patients (40.0%) partial response. Four patients' symptoms disappeared, and 1 in 6 patients was alleviated of type B symptoms. Drug-related toxic effects of chemotherapy were mild gastrointestinal reactions in most patients and severe bone marrow depression in very few patients.</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>The present combination of gemcitabine, cisplatin, prednisone possesses moderate short-term efficacy, acceptable toxicity, and alleviation of suffering related to the disease. This protocol is worthy to be warranted as salvage for relapsed or refractory aggressive NHL.</p>