In a nutshell
This study compared the effectiveness of obinutuzumab (Gazyva) plus CHOP chemotherapy vs obinutuzumab plus bendamustine (Treanda) in treating patients with follicular lymphoma. The study concluded that both obinutuzumab plus CHOP and obinutuzumab plus bendamustine are effective at treating patients with follicular lymphoma.
Some background
Follicular lymphoma (FL) is a type of non-Hodgkin lymphoma. Rituximab has become part of the standard of care for treating FL. FL patients are usually treated with either rituximab plus CHOP (cyclophosphamide, doxorubicin, vincristine plus prednisone) or rituximab plus bendamustine. However, some patients will not respond to rituximab. Obinutuzumab is a treatment similar to rituximab. More research is needed to confirm the safety and effectiveness of obinutuzumab (OB) for treating patients with FL.
Methods & findings
81 patients participated in this study. 40 patients received OB plus CHOP (G-CHOP). This group was treated with 6 to 8 cycles of G-CHOP every 3 weeks. 41 patients received obinutuzumab plus bendamustine (G-B). This group received 4 to 6 cycles of G-B every 4 weeks. All patients who achieved at least a partial response (some tumor reduction) received obinutuzumab maintenance for 2 years. The average length of follow-up was 51 months.
72% of G-CHOP patients and 81% of G-B patients started maintenance therapy.
The 3-year progression-free survival rate (time from treatment to disease progression) for patients in the G-CHOP group was 84%. The 3-year progression-free survival rate for G-B patients was 90%. The difference was not significant.
All patients experienced at least one adverse event (negative outcome associated with treatment) during initial treatment. Usually these adverse events were related to medication infusion. 78% of G-GHOP patients and 51% of G-B patients had a grade 3 or 4 adverse event.
The bottom line
The authors concluded that both G-CHOP and G-B are safe and effective treatments for patients with follicular lymphoma.
Published By :
Haematologica
Date :
Apr 01, 2017
