Efficacy and toxicity of gemcitabine/ dexamethasone / carboplatin versus ESHAP protocol in treatment of relapsed/ refractory Non-Hodgkin’s lymphomas (NHL)

Abstract

: Sensitivitytosalvage chemotherapy is one of the strongest predictors of OS and PFS after high-dose therapy with autologous bone marrow or peripheral blood stem cell transplantation (ABMT) in relapsed or refractory non-Hodgkin’slymphoma. Consequently, efforts have been focused on developing salvage chemotherapy protocols aiming at improving response rate for this particular group of patients. (6). Response rates to conventional chemotherapy are generally greater than 50%; however, Most NHL patients eventually relapse. Relapse of NHL may occur several months to years after the initial remission; however, the majority of relapses for aggressive patients. Numerous salvage chemotherapy regimens have been used to treat relapsed or refractory DLBCL.The majority are based on agents that demonstrate non cross resistance to those used in primary therapy. Studies on salvage therapy have generally included all patients with aggressive lymphoma and are not restricted to DLBCtechniques(5). An ideal salvage therapy regimen for use prior to ASCT should have a high response rate, low hematologic, andnonhematologictoxicity.(3)