Increased rituximab dose for elderly male patients with diffuse large B-cell lymphoma

The authors looked at increasing the dose of rituximab for elderly male patients with diffuse large B-cell lymphoma. The authors concluded that the higher dose improved patient outcomes and was just as safe as the lower dose. 

Diffuse large B-cell lymphoma (DLBCL) is a type of non-Hodgkin lymphoma. It is generally treated with rituximab plus CHOP (R-CHOP; cyclophosphamide, doxorubicin, vincristine, and prednisone) chemotherapy. However, elderly male patients have worse outcomes than elderly female patients with treated with R-CHOP. This is because rituximab does not stay in men’s bodies as long as women’s bodies.

It is thought that a higher dose of rituximab may improve outcomes for elderly male patients. Research is needed to confirm that a higher dose of rituximab is safe for elderly patients and that it is effective at improving patient outcomes. 

268 patients participated in this study. 120 patients were female. 148 patients were male. All patients received 6 cycles of CHOP at 14-day intervals (CHOP-14). Females were given 375 mg/m² of rituximab. Males were given 500 mg/m² of rituximab.

There was no difference in outcomes between males and females. The 2-year progression free survival rate (time from treatment to disease progression) was 79% for males and 74% for females. The 2-year overall survival rate (time from treatment to death from any cause) was 86% for males and 78% for females.

More women than men experienced adverse events (negative side effects associated with treatment). 

The study concluded that increased doses of rituximab in elderly men significantly improved patient outcomes and did not increase negative side effects.