Substitution of single dose intravenous methylprednisolone (MP) for oral prednisone (Pred) in RCHOP in intermediate grade non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma (NHL).

Abstract

e19019 Background: The regimen CHOP (cyclophosphamide, Hydroxydaunorubicin [doxorubicin], Oncovin [vincristine] and Pred) has been the basis of therapy given with curative intent for intermediate grade NHL for over 40 years. Rituximab added to CHOP (RCHOP) has been the standard for more than a decade. For patients (pts) with prior medical problems such as brittle diabetes, gastrointestinal bleeding, or psychiatric disorders, oral Pred given daily for 5 days is problematic. Methods: In this retrospective study between January, 2007 and September 2018, twenty pts, Diffuse Large B-cell (18) or grade III Follicular NHL (2), for whom standard oral Pred (100 mg daily for 5 days) was not felt to be medically well-suited or who refused or were not compliant with such therapy following an initial cycle, were treated with curative intent with the substitution of MP 125 mg IV (one received 60 mg IV) on day 1 (in place of oral Pred for 5 days) in combination with standard doses of rituximab 375 mg/m2, cyclophosphamide 750 mg/m2, doxorubicin 50 mg/m2, and vincristine 2 mg (total dose) all given intravenously on day 1 with peg-filgastrim 6 mg subcutaneously on day 2 every 21 days. Results: Pt characteristics: 14 males/6 females, median age-56 (range: 24-76), stages: II (8), III (2), IV (10), B symptoms (12), subtypes: activated B-cell (11), germinal center (6), diffuse B-cell NOS (1), follicular grade III (2). Two were treated with 5 cycles. Fifteen received 6 cycles while three were treated with 8 cycles. Sixteen had complete responses (evaluated by PET/CT) following RCHOP. One pt with activated B-cell subtype had a short-lived partial response before experiencing disease progression. The three remaining pts had partial responses, all 3 of which were converted to complete responses following involved site radiation therapy. One with activated B-cell subtype relapsed at 68.2 months. Eighteen remain progression-free with the longest at 120.3+ months. Median progression-free survival has not been reached at 23+ months. Conclusions: RCHOP with the substitution of a single dose of MP in place of oral Pred has activity in intermediate grade NHL. Long-term disease-free survival may be seen.