Efficacy of DACE regimen on relapsed and refractory non-Hodgkin's lymphoma

Objective: There is no standard salvage regimen for patients with relapsed and refractory non-Hodgkin's lymphoma (NHL) at present. This study was to evaluate the efficacy of DACE regimen, as a salvage regimen, on relapsed and refractory NHL, and observe the adverse events.

Methods: From May 2001 to May 2006, 61 patients with relapsed and refractory NHL received chemotherapy of DACE regimen: intravenous infusion of cisplatin (20 mg/m(2)) on Days 1-5, etoposide (100 mg) on Days 1-5, cytarabine (150 mg) on Days 1-3, and dexamethone (15 mg/m(2)) on Days 1-5; repeated every 3 weeks. The efficacy and adverse events were evaluated according to the World Health Organization criteria.

Results: The overall response rates were 63.9% after two cycles of chemotherapy and 72.1% after four cycles. The median remission time lasted 4.7 months (1-58 months). The 1-year survival rate was 29.5%û the 2-year survival rate was 21.3%. Myelosuppression was the major adverse event: the occurrence rate of grade III-IV myelosuppression was 49.1%û it was well tolerated.

Conclusions: DACE regimen is an effective salvage regimen in treating patients with relapsed and refractory NHL.