Dose-Adjusted EPOCH Chemotherapy and Rituximab (CD20+) in Previously Untreated Aggressive Non-Hodgkin's Lymphoma

NCT ID: NCT00001337

Last Updated: 2025-06-22

Study Results

Results available

Outcome measurements, participant flow, baseline characteristics, and adverse events have been published for this study.

View full results

Basic Information

Get a concise snapshot of the trial, including recruitment status, study phase, enrollment targets, and key timeline milestones.

Recruitment Status

COMPLETED

Clinical Phase

PHASE2

Total Enrollment

348 participants

Study Classification

INTERVENTIONAL

Study Start Date

1993-05-08

Study Completion Date

2024-05-24

Brief Summary

Review the sponsor-provided synopsis that highlights what the study is about and why it is being conducted.

5-Drug Combination Chemotherapy with Hematologic Toxicity Attenuation. Etoposide phosphate, prednisone, vincristine sulfate (Oncovin), cyclophosphamide, and doxorubicin hydrochloride (hydroxydaunorubicin)(EPOCH): Etoposide, VP-16, NSC-141540; Prednisone, PRED, NSC-10023; Vincristine, VCR, NSC-67574; Cyclophosphamide, CTX, NSC-26271; Doxorubicin, DOX, NSC-123127; with Granulocyte Colony-Stimulating Factor (Amgen), Granulocyte colony-stimulating factor (G-CSF), NSC-614629.

Detailed Description

Dive into the extended narrative that explains the scientific background, objectives, and procedures in greater depth.

Background:

The treatment of the intermediate and aggressive non-Hodgkin's lymphomas in adults and children commonly induces complete responses in a sizable fraction of the treated population, and about 2/3 of the complete responders appear to have prolonged disease-free survival.

The present study assesses the activity and tolerability in previously untreated patients of a regimen of etoposide phosphate, prednisone, vincristine sulfate (Oncovin), cyclophosphamide, and doxorubicin hydrochloride (hydroxydaunorubicin)(EPOCH) infusional chemotherapy given intensively with granulocyte colony-stimulating factor (G-CSF) support.

Objectives:

Primary:

Assess complete response (CR) and progression-free survival (PFS) of dose-adjusted EPOCH-Rituximab (DA-EPOCH-R) with G-CSF in aggressive B-cell lymphomas.

Eligibility:

Non-Hodgkin's lymphomas in the following categories: mediastinal gray zone lymphoma (MGZL) and primary mediastinal B cell lymphoma (PMBL).

Patients greater than or equal to 12 years old.

Any Stage for PMBL and MGZL.

No prior systemic chemotherapy.

Human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) negative.

Design:

This study will estimate the complete response rate of a group of previously untreated patients and the extent to which EPOCH infusional drug delivery accompanied by a hematopoietic growth factor can increase the dose intensity of treatment.

Patients receive prednisone orally for 5 days, a 96-hour infusion of vincristine, doxorubicin, and etoposide, and a bolus of cyclophosphamide on day 5.

Cycles are repeated every 21 days for a total of 6-8 cycles.

Patients with cluster of differentiation 20 (CD20) expressing tumors (i.e., mature B-cell lymphomas) will also receive rituximab, the humanized monoclonal antibody against the CD20 receptor on day 1 of each cycle.

A total of 348 patients will be enrolled on this protocol.

Conditions

See the medical conditions and disease areas that this research is targeting or investigating.

Diffuse Large B-Cell Lymphoma (DLBCL) Primary Mediastinal Large B-cell Lymphoma Burkitt Lymphoma Anaplastic Large-Cell Lymphoma Gray Zone Lymphoma

Study Design

Understand how the trial is structured, including allocation methods, masking strategies, primary purpose, and other design elements.

Allocation Method

NON_RANDOMIZED

Intervention Model

SINGLE_GROUP

Primary Study Purpose

TREATMENT

Blinding Strategy

NONE

Study Groups

Review each arm or cohort in the study, along with the interventions and objectives associated with them.

With EPOCH-R (Etoposide, Doxorubicin, Prednisone, Cyclophosphamide and Rituximab)

Subgroup 1 (SG1) - All participants who received combination Rituximab (EPOCH-R). Rituximab 375 mg/m\^2 intravenous (IV) on day 1, every 21 days, prednisone 100mg by mouth (PO) twice a day (bid) on days 1 through 5 every 21 days, and cyclophosphamide 750mg/m\^2 on day 5 every 21 days. Doxorubicin 10mg/m\^2/day, vincristine 0.4mg/m\^2/day, and etoposide 50mg/m\^2/day were delivered as continuous intravenous (CIV) infusions over 96 hours starting on day 1 every 21 days. Dose levels were adjusted on doxorubicin, etoposide, and cyclophosphamide each cycle based on neutrophil nadir.

Group Type EXPERIMENTAL

Etoposide

Intervention Type DRUG

Etoposide 50mg/m\^2/day were delivered as continuous intravenous (CIV) infusions over 96 hours starting on day 1 every 21 days.

Combination chemotherapy given with Rituximab, Etoposide, VP-16; Prednisone, Cyclophosphamide, Vincristine, and Doxorubicin (EPOCH-R) intravenous (IV) every 3 weeks for 6 cycles.

Rituximab

Intervention Type BIOLOGICAL

Rituximab given on Day 1 of combination chemotherapy (EPOCH-R) every 3 weeks for 6 cycles.

Combination chemotherapy given with Rituximab, Etoposide, VP-16; Prednisone, Cyclophosphamide, Vincristine, and Doxorubicin (EPOCH-R) intravenous (IV) every 3 weeks for 6 cycles.

Prednisone

Intervention Type DRUG

Prednisone 100mg by mouth (PO) twice a day (bid) on days 1 through 5 every 21 days.

Combination chemotherapy given with Rituximab, Etoposide, VP-16; Prednisone, Cyclophosphamide, Vincristine, and Doxorubicin (EPOCH-R) intravenous (IV) every 3 weeks for 6 cycles.

Cyclophosphamide

Intervention Type DRUG

Cyclophosphamide 750mg/m\^2 on day 5 every 21 days.

Combination chemotherapy given with Rituximab, Etoposide, VP-16; Prednisone, Cyclophosphamide, Vincristine, and Doxorubicin (EPOCH-R) intravenous (IV) every 3 weeks for 6 cycles.

Vincristine

Intervention Type DRUG

Vincristine 0.4mg/m\^2/day.

Combination chemotherapy given with Rituximab, Etoposide, VP-16; Prednisone, Cyclophosphamide, Vincristine, and Doxorubicin (EPOCH-R) intravenous (IV) every 3 weeks for 6 cycles.

Doxorubicin

Intervention Type DRUG

Doxorubicin 10mg/m\^2/day.

Combination chemotherapy given with Rituximab, Etoposide, VP-16; Prednisone, Cyclophosphamide, Vincristine, and Doxorubicin (EPOCH-R) intravenous (IV) every 3 weeks for 6 cycles.

MRI

Intervention Type DIAGNOSTIC_TEST

Baseline and/or on completion of therapy.

CT

Intervention Type DIAGNOSTIC_TEST

Baseline and/or on completion of therapy.

Biopsy

Intervention Type PROCEDURE

Baseline and/or on completion of therapy.

PET scan

Intervention Type DIAGNOSTIC_TEST

As clinically indicated.

Laparotomy

Intervention Type PROCEDURE

As clinically indicated.

Ondansetron

Intervention Type OTHER

Nausea and/or vomiting.

Prochlorperazine

Intervention Type OTHER

Nausea and/or vomiting.

Omeprazole

Intervention Type OTHER

Gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD).

Docusate Sodium + Sennosides

Intervention Type OTHER

Constipation.

Lactulose

Intervention Type OTHER

Constipation

EPOCH Alone (Etoposide, Doxorubicin, Prednisone, and Cyclophosphamide)

Subgroup 2 (SG2) - EPOCH alone: All participants who received Prednisone 100mg by mouth (PO) twice a day (bid) on days 1 through 5 every 21 days, and cyclophosphamide 750mg/m\^2 on day 5 every 21 days. Doxorubicin 10mg/m\^2/day, vincristine 0.4mg/m\^2/day, and etoposide 50mg/m\^2/day were delivered as continuous intravenous (CIV) infusions over 96 hours starting on day 1 every 21 days. Dose levels were adjusted on doxorubicin, etoposide, and cyclophosphamide each cycle based on neutrophil nadir.

Group Type EXPERIMENTAL

Etoposide

Intervention Type DRUG

Etoposide 50mg/m\^2/day were delivered as continuous intravenous (CIV) infusions over 96 hours starting on day 1 every 21 days.

Combination chemotherapy given with Rituximab, Etoposide, VP-16; Prednisone, Cyclophosphamide, Vincristine, and Doxorubicin (EPOCH-R) intravenous (IV) every 3 weeks for 6 cycles.

Prednisone

Intervention Type DRUG

Prednisone 100mg by mouth (PO) twice a day (bid) on days 1 through 5 every 21 days.

Combination chemotherapy given with Rituximab, Etoposide, VP-16; Prednisone, Cyclophosphamide, Vincristine, and Doxorubicin (EPOCH-R) intravenous (IV) every 3 weeks for 6 cycles.

Cyclophosphamide

Intervention Type DRUG

Cyclophosphamide 750mg/m\^2 on day 5 every 21 days.

Combination chemotherapy given with Rituximab, Etoposide, VP-16; Prednisone, Cyclophosphamide, Vincristine, and Doxorubicin (EPOCH-R) intravenous (IV) every 3 weeks for 6 cycles.

Vincristine

Intervention Type DRUG

Vincristine 0.4mg/m\^2/day.

Combination chemotherapy given with Rituximab, Etoposide, VP-16; Prednisone, Cyclophosphamide, Vincristine, and Doxorubicin (EPOCH-R) intravenous (IV) every 3 weeks for 6 cycles.

Doxorubicin

Intervention Type DRUG

Doxorubicin 10mg/m\^2/day.

Combination chemotherapy given with Rituximab, Etoposide, VP-16; Prednisone, Cyclophosphamide, Vincristine, and Doxorubicin (EPOCH-R) intravenous (IV) every 3 weeks for 6 cycles.

MRI

Intervention Type DIAGNOSTIC_TEST

Baseline and/or on completion of therapy.

CT

Intervention Type DIAGNOSTIC_TEST

Baseline and/or on completion of therapy.

Biopsy

Intervention Type PROCEDURE

Baseline and/or on completion of therapy.

PET scan

Intervention Type DIAGNOSTIC_TEST

As clinically indicated.

Laparotomy

Intervention Type PROCEDURE

As clinically indicated.

Ondansetron

Intervention Type OTHER

Nausea and/or vomiting.

Prochlorperazine

Intervention Type OTHER

Nausea and/or vomiting.

Omeprazole

Intervention Type OTHER

Gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD).

Docusate Sodium + Sennosides

Intervention Type OTHER

Constipation.

Lactulose

Intervention Type OTHER

Constipation

Interventions

Learn about the drugs, procedures, or behavioral strategies being tested and how they are applied within this trial.

Etoposide

Etoposide 50mg/m\^2/day were delivered as continuous intravenous (CIV) infusions over 96 hours starting on day 1 every 21 days.

Combination chemotherapy given with Rituximab, Etoposide, VP-16; Prednisone, Cyclophosphamide, Vincristine, and Doxorubicin (EPOCH-R) intravenous (IV) every 3 weeks for 6 cycles.

Intervention Type DRUG

Rituximab

Rituximab given on Day 1 of combination chemotherapy (EPOCH-R) every 3 weeks for 6 cycles.

Combination chemotherapy given with Rituximab, Etoposide, VP-16; Prednisone, Cyclophosphamide, Vincristine, and Doxorubicin (EPOCH-R) intravenous (IV) every 3 weeks for 6 cycles.

Intervention Type BIOLOGICAL

Prednisone

Prednisone 100mg by mouth (PO) twice a day (bid) on days 1 through 5 every 21 days.

Combination chemotherapy given with Rituximab, Etoposide, VP-16; Prednisone, Cyclophosphamide, Vincristine, and Doxorubicin (EPOCH-R) intravenous (IV) every 3 weeks for 6 cycles.

Intervention Type DRUG

Cyclophosphamide

Cyclophosphamide 750mg/m\^2 on day 5 every 21 days.

Combination chemotherapy given with Rituximab, Etoposide, VP-16; Prednisone, Cyclophosphamide, Vincristine, and Doxorubicin (EPOCH-R) intravenous (IV) every 3 weeks for 6 cycles.

Intervention Type DRUG

Vincristine

Vincristine 0.4mg/m\^2/day.

Combination chemotherapy given with Rituximab, Etoposide, VP-16; Prednisone, Cyclophosphamide, Vincristine, and Doxorubicin (EPOCH-R) intravenous (IV) every 3 weeks for 6 cycles.

Intervention Type DRUG

Doxorubicin

Doxorubicin 10mg/m\^2/day.

Combination chemotherapy given with Rituximab, Etoposide, VP-16; Prednisone, Cyclophosphamide, Vincristine, and Doxorubicin (EPOCH-R) intravenous (IV) every 3 weeks for 6 cycles.

Intervention Type DRUG

MRI

Baseline and/or on completion of therapy.

Intervention Type DIAGNOSTIC_TEST

CT

Baseline and/or on completion of therapy.

Intervention Type DIAGNOSTIC_TEST

Biopsy

Baseline and/or on completion of therapy.

Intervention Type PROCEDURE

PET scan

As clinically indicated.

Intervention Type DIAGNOSTIC_TEST

Laparotomy

As clinically indicated.

Intervention Type PROCEDURE

Ondansetron

Nausea and/or vomiting.

Intervention Type OTHER

Prochlorperazine

Nausea and/or vomiting.

Intervention Type OTHER

Omeprazole

Gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD).

Intervention Type OTHER

Docusate Sodium + Sennosides

Constipation.

Intervention Type OTHER

Lactulose

Constipation

Intervention Type OTHER

Other Intervention Names

Discover alternative or legacy names that may be used to describe the listed interventions across different sources.

VP-16 Rituxan Rayos Deltasone Prednisone Intensol Cytoxan Marqibo Vincasar PFS Lipodox Lipodox 50 Doxil Magnetic resonance imaging Computed tomography positron emission tomography scan Zofran ODT Zuplenz Zofran Compro Prilosec OTC Zegerid OmePPi Senna-Plus Colace 2-in-1 Dok Plus Kristalose Enulose Generlac

Eligibility Criteria

Check the participation requirements, including inclusion and exclusion rules, age limits, and whether healthy volunteers are accepted.

Inclusion Criteria

Non-Hodgkin's lymphomas in the following categories: mediastinal gray zone lymphoma and primary mediastinal B cell lymphoma.

Diagnosis confirmed by staff of the Hematopathology Section, Laboratory of Pathology, National Cancer Institute (NCI). Tissue blocks from patients treated in extramural sites must be forwarded to the NCI for analysis of B-cell leukemia/lymphoma 2 (bcl-2) by immunohistochemistry (IHC) and other markers within 1 month of study entry.

Patients greater than or equal to 12 years old.

Stage and Prognosis of Patients: Any stage for mediastinal gray zone lymphoma (MGZL) and primary mediastinal B-cell lymphoma (PMBL).

No prior systemic chemotherapy. Patients may be entered if they have had prior limited-field radiotherapy, a short course of glucocorticoids and/or cyclophosphamide for an urgent problem at diagnosis (e.g. epidural cord compression, superior vena cava syndrome).

Human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) negative.

Not pregnant or nursing.

Adequate major organ function \[in adults: serum creatinine less than or equal to 1.5 mg/dl or creatinine clearance greater than 60 ml/min; and in children serum creatinine (CR) less than or equal to age-adjusted normal (age 12 to 15 maximum serum creatinine 1.2 mg/dl and age greater than 15 maximum serum creatinine 1.5 mg/dl); bilirubin less than 1.5 mg/dl; absolute neutrophil count (ANC) greater than 1,000 and platelets greater than 100,000) unless impairment is due to organ involvement by lymphoma or immune-mediated mechanism caused by lymphoma.

No active symptomatic ischemic heart disease, myocardial infarction or congestive heart failure within the past year. If multi-gated acquisition (MUGA) is obtained, the left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF) should exceed 40%.

No other serious concomitant medical illnesses or uncontrolled active infection that would jeopardize the patient's ability to receive the regimen with reasonable safety.

No history of unrelated (non-lymphomatous) neoplasms within past 5 years other than non-melanoma skin cancer or in-situ cancer.

Ability to give informed consent.
Minimum Eligible Age

12 Years

Eligible Sex

ALL

Accepts Healthy Volunteers

No

Sponsors

Meet the organizations funding or collaborating on the study and learn about their roles.

National Cancer Institute (NCI)

NIH

Sponsor Role lead

Responsible Party

Identify the individual or organization who holds primary responsibility for the study information submitted to regulators.

Mark Roschewski, M.D.

Investigator

Responsibility Role PRINCIPAL_INVESTIGATOR

Principal Investigators

Learn about the lead researchers overseeing the trial and their institutional affiliations.

Mark J Roschewski, M.D.

Role: PRINCIPAL_INVESTIGATOR

National Cancer Institute (NCI)

Locations

Explore where the study is taking place and check the recruitment status at each participating site.

Holy Cross Hospital, Fort Lauderdale

Fort Lauderdale, Florida, United States

Site Status

University of Maryland, Baltimore

Baltimore, Maryland, United States

Site Status

National Institutes of Health Clinical Center

Bethesda, Maryland, United States

Site Status

Brigham and Women's Hospital

Boston, Massachusetts, United States

Site Status

St. Luke's Roosevelt Hospital

New York, New York, United States

Site Status

Countries

Review the countries where the study has at least one active or historical site.

United States

References

Explore related publications, articles, or registry entries linked to this study.

Klimo P, Connors JM. MACOP-B chemotherapy for the treatment of diffuse large-cell lymphoma. Ann Intern Med. 1985 May;102(5):596-602. doi: 10.7326/0003-4819-102-5-596.

Reference Type BACKGROUND
PMID: 2580468 (View on PubMed)

Lai GM, Chen YN, Mickley LA, Fojo AT, Bates SE. P-glycoprotein expression and schedule dependence of adriamycin cytotoxicity in human colon carcinoma cell lines. Int J Cancer. 1991 Nov 11;49(5):696-703. doi: 10.1002/ijc.2910490512.

Reference Type BACKGROUND
PMID: 1682280 (View on PubMed)

DeVita VT Jr, Canellos GP, Chabner B, Schein P, Hubbard SP, Young RC. Advanced diffuse histiocytic lymphoma, a potentially curable disease. Lancet. 1975 Feb 1;1(7901):248-50. doi: 10.1016/s0140-6736(75)91142-3.

Reference Type BACKGROUND
PMID: 46388 (View on PubMed)

Lai C, Cole DE, Steinberg SM, Lucas N, Dombi E, Melani C, Roschewski M, Balis F, Widemann BC, Wilson WH. Doxorubicin pharmacokinetics and toxicity in patients with aggressive lymphoma and hepatic impairment. Blood Adv. 2023 Feb 28;7(4):529-532. doi: 10.1182/bloodadvances.2022007431.

Reference Type DERIVED
PMID: 35882475 (View on PubMed)

Miljkovic MD, Melani C, Pittaluga S, Lakhotia R, Lucas N, Jacob A, Yusko E, Jaffe ES, Wilson WH, Roschewski M. Next-generation sequencing-based monitoring of circulating tumor DNA reveals clonotypic heterogeneity in untreated PTCL. Blood Adv. 2021 Oct 26;5(20):4198-4210. doi: 10.1182/bloodadvances.2020003679.

Reference Type DERIVED
PMID: 34432874 (View on PubMed)

Kurtz DM, Scherer F, Jin MC, Soo J, Craig AFM, Esfahani MS, Chabon JJ, Stehr H, Liu CL, Tibshirani R, Maeda LS, Gupta NK, Khodadoust MS, Advani RH, Levy R, Newman AM, Duhrsen U, Huttmann A, Meignan M, Casasnovas RO, Westin JR, Roschewski M, Wilson WH, Gaidano G, Rossi D, Diehn M, Alizadeh AA. Circulating Tumor DNA Measurements As Early Outcome Predictors in Diffuse Large B-Cell Lymphoma. J Clin Oncol. 2018 Oct 1;36(28):2845-2853. doi: 10.1200/JCO.2018.78.5246. Epub 2018 Aug 20.

Reference Type DERIVED
PMID: 30125215 (View on PubMed)

Melani C, Advani R, Roschewski M, Walters KM, Chen CC, Baratto L, Ahlman MA, Miljkovic MD, Steinberg SM, Lam J, Shovlin M, Dunleavy K, Pittaluga S, Jaffe ES, Wilson WH. End-of-treatment and serial PET imaging in primary mediastinal B-cell lymphoma following dose-adjusted EPOCH-R: a paradigm shift in clinical decision making. Haematologica. 2018 Aug;103(8):1337-1344. doi: 10.3324/haematol.2018.192492. Epub 2018 May 10.

Reference Type DERIVED
PMID: 29748435 (View on PubMed)

Wilson WH, Pittaluga S, Nicolae A, Camphausen K, Shovlin M, Steinberg SM, Roschewski M, Staudt LM, Jaffe ES, Dunleavy K. A prospective study of mediastinal gray-zone lymphoma. Blood. 2014 Sep 4;124(10):1563-9. doi: 10.1182/blood-2014-03-564906. Epub 2014 Jul 14.

Reference Type DERIVED
PMID: 25024303 (View on PubMed)

Dunleavy K, Pittaluga S, Shovlin M, Steinberg SM, Cole D, Grant C, Widemann B, Staudt LM, Jaffe ES, Little RF, Wilson WH. Low-intensity therapy in adults with Burkitt's lymphoma. N Engl J Med. 2013 Nov 14;369(20):1915-25. doi: 10.1056/NEJMoa1308392.

Reference Type DERIVED
PMID: 24224624 (View on PubMed)

Dunleavy K, Pittaluga S, Maeda LS, Advani R, Chen CC, Hessler J, Steinberg SM, Grant C, Wright G, Varma G, Staudt LM, Jaffe ES, Wilson WH. Dose-adjusted EPOCH-rituximab therapy in primary mediastinal B-cell lymphoma. N Engl J Med. 2013 Apr 11;368(15):1408-16. doi: 10.1056/NEJMoa1214561.

Reference Type DERIVED
PMID: 23574119 (View on PubMed)

Provided Documents

Download supplemental materials such as informed consent forms, study protocols, or participant manuals.

Document Type: Study Protocol and Statistical Analysis Plan

View Document

Document Type: Informed Consent Form

View Document

Related Links

Access external resources that provide additional context or updates about the study.

Other Identifiers

Review additional registry numbers or institutional identifiers associated with this trial.

93-C-0133

Identifier Type: -

Identifier Source: secondary_id

930133

Identifier Type: -

Identifier Source: org_study_id

NCT00018980

Identifier Type: -

Identifier Source: nct_alias

More Related Trials

Additional clinical trials that may be relevant based on similarity analysis.