Nonpegylated Liposomal Doxorubicin as a Component of R-CHOP Is an Effective and Safe Alternative to Conventional Doxorubicin in the Treatment of Patients With Diffuse Large B-Cell Lymphoma and Preexisting Cardiac Diseases.

Introduction: The aim of this retrospective analysis was to investigate the efficacy and safety of nonpegylated liposomal doxorubicin (NPLD) as part of R-CHOP (rituximab, cyclophosphamide, doxorubicin, vincristine and prednisone) in patients with diffuse large B-cell lymphoma (DLBCL) and preexisting cardiac diseases.

Patients And Methods: Twenty-five patients were evaluated, median age was 73 (range 24-85) years, 23 patients received NPLD as part of their first-line therapy. Most patients suffered from more than 1 cardiac disease and in 14 patients left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF) was reduced. One hundred nineteen cycles of NPLD were applied with a median of 5 (range 2-8) cycles per patient. Median dose per cycle was 95 mg (50 mg/m(2)).

Results: The overall response rate was 96% (44% complete remission, 52% partial remission). After a median follow-up of 23 months, 4 patients had disease relapse. Seven patients died, translating to an estimated 3-year progression-free and overall survival of 66% and 73%, respectively. Reasons for death were progressive disease or infection in 2 patients each and cardiovascular disease in 3 patients. After chemotherapy, LVEF decreased significantly in 28% and improved in 12% of patients, whereas median LVEF did not change (51% vs. 50%). No higher frequencies of decreased LVEF was observed in the group of patients with preexisting reduced LVEF. Five adverse events induced therapy termination: 2 myocardial infarctions, 2 pneumonias, and 1 reduced condition. No hand-foot-syndrome was observed.

Conclusion: NPLD as a component of R-CHOP is an effective treatment in patients with DLBCL and preexisting cardiac diseases, whereas cardiac events were observed in 36% of patients in this cardiac high-risk group. However, these results need to be confirmed in a prospective randomized trial.