Tolerability of Rituximab CHOP(Cyclophosphamide, Hydroxydaunorubicin, Oncovin and Prednisolone) regimen for follicular lymphoma
Background And Objective: Many clinical trials conducted in the western population have shown that the addition of Rituximab to CHOP regimen provided a higher response rate and excellent early survival in follicular lymphoma. This study aimed to assess the tolerability to Rituximab-CHOP regimen for Follicular lymphoma in Indian population. Methods: From January 2015 to January 2016, 32 patients with histopathologically proven denovo follicular lymphoma who were prescribed. Rituximab-CHOP regimen once every 21 days for 6-8 cycles were included in the study. Adverse events causing non compliance to chemotherapy schedule were studied. Causality assessment and grading of severity were done for the above adverse events. Results And Discussion: Age range of the study population was from 37-83 years.78.125% patients were males. Most of the patients belonged to Ann Arbor Stage III/IV. Adverse events causing noncompliance included Infusion related reaction in two patients which was certainly related to Rituximab with a toxicity grade 3 and febrile neutropenia (possibly caused by Doxorubicin with toxicity grade 3 ), leukopenia ( possibly caused by Doxorubicin or Vincristine with a toxicity grade 2 ) and pancytopenia ( possibly caused by Cyclophosphamide or Doxorubicin or Vincristine with a toxicity grade of 3 ) in one patient each. Conclusion: Adverse drug reactions caused by Rituximab and possibly by Doxorubicin, Vincristine or Cyclophosphamide were a reason for non compliance.