Pegfilgrastim to support CHOP-14 in elderly patients with non-Hodgkin's lymphoma

This study investigated whether pegfilgrastim support would enable on-schedule delivery of dose-dense cyclophosphamide, doxorubicin, vincristine and prednisone (CHOP-14) to elderly patients with non-Hodgkin's lymphoma (NHL). Thirty patients 60 years of age and older with aggressive NHL were evaluated after receiving up to six cycles of CHOP-14 supported with pegfilgrastim. The median age was 68 years (range 61-74). Forty-seven per cent of patients received full dose chemotherapy on schedule for all cycles (range 65-93). Chemotherapy was delayed in 10 patients and dose reduced in 15 patients. Hematological toxicity was the most common reason for delays and dose reduction. Six of nine patients (67%) achieved a peripheral blood CD34(+) count of at least 20 cells x 10(6) L-1 on day 12 of cycle one. The delivery on schedule of dose-dense CHOP-14 to elderly patients with previously untreated aggressive NHL is safe and efficacious with once per cycle pegfilgrastim support.