BACKGROUND: We retrospectively evaluated the efficacy and safety of individualized liposomal doxorubicin-based treatment in elderly patients with non-Hodgkin's lymphoma and poor general health. PATIENTS AND METHODS: 22 patients (median age 83.5 years) were treated with liposomal doxorubicin combined with CHOP-based chemotherapy (cyclophosphamide, doxorubicin, vincristine, prednisone) or other individualized doxorubicin-based treatments including liposomal doxorubicin combined with rituximab. Efficacy and adverse reactions were measured. RESULTS: Patients received a total of 80 courses of chemotherapy (mean dose 143.6 mg/patient liposomal doxorubicin). The numbers of patients achieving complete remission, uncertain complete remission, partial remission, stable disease, or progressive disease were 10 (45.5%), 4 (18.2%), 4 (18.2%), 1 (4.5%), and 3 (13.6%), respectively. The most frequently reported adverse reaction was bone marrow suppression. No serious infections were reported. 3 (13.6%) patients showed skin changes. None experienced congestive heart failure or acute myocardial infarction. There were no chemotherapy-related deaths. Overall survival rates at 1, 3, and 5 years were 81.8, 59.1, and 40.9%, and progression-free survival rates were 83.3, 66.7, and 54.5%. CONCLUSIONS: Individualized liposomal doxorubicin-based chemotherapy is effective and safe for elderly patients with non-Hodgkin's lymphoma.
BACKGROUND: We retrospectively evaluated the efficacy and safety of individualized liposomal doxorubicin-based treatment in elderly patients with non-Hodgkin's lymphoma and poor general health. PATIENTS AND METHODS: 22 patients (median age 83.5 years) were treated with liposomal doxorubicin combined with CHOP-based chemotherapy (cyclophosphamide, doxorubicin, vincristine, prednisone) or other individualized doxorubicin-based treatments including liposomal doxorubicin combined with rituximab. Efficacy and adverse reactions were measured. RESULTS:Patients received a total of 80 courses of chemotherapy (mean dose 143.6 mg/patient liposomal doxorubicin). The numbers of patients achieving complete remission, uncertain complete remission, partial remission, stable disease, or progressive disease were 10 (45.5%), 4 (18.2%), 4 (18.2%), 1 (4.5%), and 3 (13.6%), respectively. The most frequently reported adverse reaction was bone marrow suppression. No serious infections were reported. 3 (13.6%) patients showed skin changes. None experienced congestive heart failure or acute myocardial infarction. There were no chemotherapy-related deaths. Overall survival rates at 1, 3, and 5 years were 81.8, 59.1, and 40.9%, and progression-free survival rates were 83.3, 66.7, and 54.5%. CONCLUSIONS: Individualized liposomal doxorubicin-based chemotherapy is effective and safe for elderly patients with non-Hodgkin's lymphoma.