PL-doxorubicin 35-40 mg/m(2) and epirubicin 70mg/m(2) were given on day 1 in combination with standard dosage of prednisone, vincristine, cyclophosphamide (according to CHOP regimen) every 21days for six courses. The choice to adopt the dosage of 30 mg/m2(instead of 50 mg/m2 of conventionaldoxorubicin) was based on pharmacokinetic data and on the results of previous studies in lymphoma.Rituximab 375 mg/m2 was given on day 0 in subsequent courses of therapy. Granulocyte colony-stimulating factor was given in the presence of grade 4 neutropenia or febrile neutropenia until hematological recovery. Treatment was stopped if lymphoma progressed, the patient refused further participation,or if there was any other intercurrent clinical condition or adverse event.
270 untreated patients, age between 18 and 65 years , with diffuse large B-cell lymphoma (B-DLCL) were treated with a pegylated liposomal doxorubicin (PL-doxorubicin) modiﬁed CHOP-rituximab regimen. PL-doxorubicin 35-40 mg/m(2)and epirubicin 70mg/m(2) were given in combination with standard dosage of prednisone, vincristine, cyclophosphamide, rituximab (according to CHOP-R regimen) every 21 days for six courses.