Efficacy and Safety of Cyclophosphamide Low-Dose Pre-Phase Chemotherapy in Diffuse Large B Cell Lymphoma with Gastrointestinal Involvement.

BACKGROUND

Gastric Diffuse large B-cell lymphoma (DLBCL) is the most common extranodal site of lymphoma's involvement (30%-40% of all extranodal lymphomas and 55%-65% of all gastrointestinal lymphomas). However, gastric localizations are also sometimes found in systemic DLBCL. Gastric complications such as bleeding, perforation, and stenosis under chemotherapy are well documented.

METHODS

We retrospectively analyzed 15 patients with newly diagnosed DLBCL with gastrointestinal involvement. Endoscopies were performed in these patients before and after treatment. Treatment consisted of cyclophosphamide low-dose pre-phase chemotherapy before conventional-dose chemotherapy.

RESULTS

Endoscopy at staging detected ulcers in 12 patients (80%). After low-dose pre-phase chemotherapy, GI ulcers healed in 91.6% of cases (1 ulcer detected). After the whole treatment (Low-dose pre-phase + chemotherapy) 9 patients (60%) achieved complete response, 4 patients (26.6%) partial response, 2 (13,3%) patients presented disease progression. The most frequent adverse event was neutropenia (73.3%); the most frequent non-hematological adverse event was transaminases elevation (20%).

CONCLUSION

Cyclophosphamide low-dose pre-phase chemotherapy resulted in a safe and effective way to prevent adverse events in systemic DLBCL with gastrointestinal involvement.