Severe neutropenia in cycle one of CHOP is a marker of early death among intermediate and high grade lymphoma (IHL) patients

6717 Background: Cyclophosphamide, doxorubicin, vincristine, and prednisone (CHOP) chemotherapy is effective therapy for IHL. However, it may produce severe neutropenia in cycle 1 (C1SN), which can lead to dose modifications and early termination of therapy. We recently developed a predictive model for C1SN, using clinical information routinely obtained before chemotherapy initiation (ASH 2003). In the current study, we assessed the relationship between C1SN and 6-month survival. Methods: Medical records of IHL (Working Formulation D-H) patients (pts) treated at a single institution between 1981 and 2002 were retrospectively reviewed. 187 pts treated with CHOP who did not receive preemptive growth factor in cycle 1 were selected. SN was defined as absolute neutrophil count ≤250/mm3 or febrile neutropenia. Early death was defined as death within 6 months of chemotherapy initiation. Stepwise logistic regression analysis was used to select risk factors significantly associated with early death. Results: 55 p...