Similar outcomes in Asian and Western patients with diffuse large B-cell lymphoma treated with R-CHOP

Abstract Background Little is known on racial differences in patients with diffuse large B-cell lymphoma (DLBCL). The aim of this retrospective study is to compare characteristics, prognostic factors and outcomes of Asian and Western patients with DLBCL treated with rituximab, cyclophosphamide, doxorubicin, vincristine and prednisone (R-CHOP). Methods Patient-level data was collected from 8 centers. All patients were diagnosed with DLBCL and treated with R-CHOP. Patients were divided into Asian and Western, according to the country of report. Comparisons and univariate/multivariate survival analyses were performed. Results 712 patients, 455 Asian and 257 Western patients were included. Westerners were more likely to present with elevated LDH (64% vs. 48%, p vs. 49%, p p  = 0.33) or overall survival (OS; p  = 0.69). There were no PFS or OS differences between races when evaluating separately each age-adjusted International Prognostic Index category. In the multivariate analyses, performance status and stage were associated with PFS and OS in both races. Conclusions There are no differences in prognostic factors, PFS and OS between Asian and Western patients with DLBCL treated with R-CHOP.