THP-COPBLM (pirarubicin, cyclophosphamide, vincristine, prednisone, bleomycin and procarbazine) regimen combined with granulocyte colony-stimulating factor (G-CSF) for non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma in elderly patients: a prospective study

Abstract

THP-COPBLM including pirarubicin (THP) , which is thought to be less toxic than doxorubicin, was used to treat non- Hodgkin’s lymphoma (NHL) and the remission rate and adverse effects were studied in 26 patients older than 70 years. Complete remission (CR) was achieved in 19 patients (73.1%) and partial remission in three (11.5%). Classified by stages, CR was achieved in seven out of nine stage II patients and 12 out of 17 stage III, IV patients. The 2-year survival rate was 60.3%. Grade 3 or higher adverse effects included leukopenia in eight patients (30.8%), anemia in three (11.5%), thrombocytopenia in two (7.7%) and nausea/vomiting in 1 (3.8%). The THP-COPBLM regimen appears useful for the treatment of NHL in elderly patients. The regimen was seldom associated with gastrointestinal symptoms and cardiotoxicity. Despite the administration of granulocyte colony-stimulating factor (G-CSF), however, the white blood cell count decreased in many patients, suggesting the necessity for further study of this regimen to modify the dose of THP.