Outcome for patients with relapsed/refractory aggressive lymphoma treated with gemcitabine and oxaliplatin with or without rituximab; a retrospective, multicentre study

The treatment of relapsed aggressive lymphoma remains a challenge. Platinum-containing chemotherapy is standard of care. Gemcitabine/oxaliplatin (Gem-Ox) with or without rituximab (R) is an outpatient regimen with a favorable toxicity profile. This retrospective 'real world' study reports outcomes for 44 unselected patients with relapsed/refractory aggressive lymphoma treated with Gem-Ox ± R. 41% had primary refractory disease. The overall response rate (ORR) was 43% with a complete response (CR) of 30%. Response to the prior treatment regimen significantly affected the ORR with only 8% achieving CR if prior remission was <12 months. Grade 3-4 hematological toxicity was common and 22% had febrile neutropenia. Eight patients proceeded to stem cell transplant. Overall, outcomes remain poor with a median overall survival of 8 months. In this high-risk group of patients, Gem-Ox ± R results in similar responses to other more toxic, inpatient regimens and should therefore be considered as second line therapy in relapsed lymphoma.