Liposomal doxorubicin-liposomal doxorubicin-rituximab for the treatment of elderly patients with diffuse large B-cell lymphoma

6687 Background: At present CHOP plus rituximab (CHOP-R) appears to be the golden standard treatment for elderly patients with diffuse large B-cell lymphoma (B-DLCL). Treatment related toxicity, in particular infectious complications and cardiac toxicity, however, still represent a major cause of morbidity and mortality. Here we report the preliminary results of a pilot study performed to evaluate the efficacy and tolerability of a Caelyx-modified CHOP-R regimen (COP-Caelyx-R). Methods: Thirty consecutive untreated patients, 60 years or older, with CD20 positive B-DLCL, stage II-IV or bulky stage I, were enrolled in the study. Caelyx 30 mg/m2 was given on day 1 in combination with standard dosage of prednisone, vincristine, cyclophosphamide (according to CHOP regimen) and rituximab every 21 days for 6 courses. G-CSF was administered as appropriate. Patients with initial bulky disease or localized residual disease received consolidation-involved field radiotherapy. The procedures planned for cardiac toxici...