Comparison of CBV, BEAM and BEAC high-dose chemotherapy followed by autologous hematopoietic stem cell transplantation in non-Hodgkin lymphoma: Efficacy and toxicity.

AIM

Limited data are available to guide the choice of conditioning regimen before autologous hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (AHSCT) for patients with lymphoma.

METHODS

We analyzed 129 non-Hodgkin lymphoma patients who underwent AHSCT from 1996 to 2013 using the most common regimens: CBV (cyclophosphamide, carmustine and etoposide; n = 16), BEAM (carmustine, etoposide, cytarabine and melphalan; n = 36) and BEAC (carmustine, etoposide, cytarabine and cyclophosphamide; n = 77).

RESULTS

At a median follow-up of 42.5 months, the estimated 5-year overall survival for the CBV, BEAM and BEAC groups was 68.8%, 77.8% and 81.8%, respectively (P = 0.584). The estimated 5-year progression-free survival in the CBV group (43.8%) was relatively inferior to the BEAM (66.7%) and BEAC (67.5%) groups, but the differences were not significant (P = 0.403). Grade 2 or higher mucositis, diarrhea and fever were relatively more common in the BEAM group (P < 0.05). No differences were observed in the time to hematopoietic recovery and the duration of hospitalization. The amount of transfused platelet was significantly less in the CBV.

CONCLUSION

CBV, BEAM and BEAC regimens are all optional high-dose chemotherapy before AHSCT for NHL patients.