Is R-CHOP Therapy a Lymphoma Growth Factor?

Am J Ther. 2016 Jan-Feb;23(1):e295-7. doi: 10.1097/01.mjt.0000434041.54749.3d.

Abstract

This article describes the first reported case of dramatic lymphocytosis flare after initiation of R-CHOP (rituximab, cyclophosphamide, doxorubicin, vincristine, and prednisone) therapy for an indolent lymphoma. The study patient exhibited a marginal zone lymphoma with mild nodal involvement but packed infiltration of the bone marrow. After initiation of RCHOP therapy, lymphocyte count increased from 329 to 707 × 10⁹/L at day 7. Patient exhibited grade III infusion-related side effect during rituximab therapy. Lymphocyte flare was not accompanied with other clinical manifestation such as lymph node enlargement. Because patient's bone marrow aspirate showed a packed infiltration, it was hypothesized that lymphocytosis flare was a link to lymphocyte release from bone marrow and lymphocyte demargination. This report highlights the necessity to be vigilant after initiation of RCHOP therapy for lymphoma when pathologist notified a pack infiltration of the bone marrow.

Publication types

  • Case Reports

MeSH terms

  • Aged
  • Antibodies, Monoclonal, Murine-Derived / adverse effects
  • Antineoplastic Combined Chemotherapy Protocols / adverse effects*
  • Cyclophosphamide / adverse effects
  • Doxorubicin / adverse effects
  • Humans
  • Lymphocytosis / chemically induced*
  • Lymphoma / drug therapy*
  • Male
  • Prednisone / adverse effects
  • Rituximab
  • Vincristine / adverse effects

Substances

  • Antibodies, Monoclonal, Murine-Derived
  • R-CHOP protocol
  • Rituximab
  • Vincristine
  • Doxorubicin
  • Cyclophosphamide
  • Prednisone