RESPONSE TO RITUXIMAB IN NON-HODGKIN LYMPHOMA PATIENTS AT NATIONAL ONCOLOGY CENTER, ADEN, YEMEN, 2017-2020: RETROSPECTIVE COHORT STUDY

Magdi Saif Aldaeri*, Gamal Abdul Hamid, Mohammed A. Al Amad and Yasser Ghaleb

ABSTRACT

Background: The study aimed to determine the long-term response of rituximab on Non-Hodgkin Lymphomas (NHL) patients. Methods: A retrospective cohort study was conducted in the National Oncology Center in Aden by review of medical registries for NHL patients from 2017-2020. SPSS version 23 was used for the analysis of data, and Kaplan Meier survival curve was used to measure overall survival (OS) and progression-free survival (PFS) between two groups CHOP and R-CHOP in two follow up periods (12-months and 4-years). Cox regression was used to evaluate the association between the risk factors. Results: Of 100 patients, 50 for each group of CHOP and R-CHOP. < 60 years represented 70%. Advanced Stage represented 64% and DLBCL represented 47% of all subtypes of NHL. Significant association difference in OS in two periods of follow-up (12-month and 4-years) for CHOP vs. R-CHOP was 63% vs. 86%, and 10% vs. 33%, respectively (P=0.01 and P=0.04). In contrast, the difference was non-statically significant in the PFS in two periods 39% vs. 66%, and 12% vs. 27% for CHOP vs. R-CHOP, respectively (P=0.10 and P=0.31). The age group > 60 years, ≥ 6 cycles of chemotherapy received, abnormality of LDH, and married patients were the significantly hazard proportion (P< 0.05). Conclusion: The addition of rituximab to CHOP had a statistical difference in OS and there is no difference in PFS. Elderly, married patients, > 6 cycles of chemotherapy received, and abnormality LDH were poor prognostic factors. Providing oncology center with rituximab for ongoing use it of NHL patients are recommended.

Keywords: Non-Hodgkin lymphoma, CHOP, rituximab, Survival, Yemen.