Diffuse large-cell lymphomas: a review of therapy.

In this review, the historical and modern classification schemes of non-Hodgkin's lymphoma (NHL) will be briefly summarized, with a critical review of the evolution and current state of treatment strategies for diffuse large-cell lymphoma (DLCL). We provide current treatment recommendations for newly diagnosed disease and indicate the areas of active clinical investigation. In the past, many of the promising phase II studies in DLCL have appeared beneficial based on patient selection criteria and not the therapeutic result. Lessons learned in clinical trials in NHL may serve as a paradigm for other cancer investigations.