Dr. Roschewski on the Use of DA-EPOCH-R in Burkitt Lymphoma

Mark J. Roschewski, MD, staff clinician, associate research clinician, clinical director, Malignancies Branch of the Center for Cancer Research, National Cancer Institute, discusses the use of dose-adjusted infused etoposide, doxorubicin, and cyclophosphamide with vincristine, prednisone, and rituximab (Rituxan; DA-EPOCH-R) in patients with Burkitt lymphoma.

A recent study by the NCI investigated DA-EPOCH-R in patients with Burkitt lymphoma. The primary endpoint was event-free survival (EFS), with secondary endpoints of progression-free survival, time to progression, overall survival and predictive ability of PET after 2 cycles. Results showed that this regimen is active and efficacious in adults of all ages with Burkitt lymphoma, with a favorable 3-year EFS compared to intensive regimens.

Roschewski says that DA-EPOCH-R is extremely effective in Burkitt lymphoma. Moving from a more intensive regimen to a less-intensive regimen can make some clinicians anxious, but Roschewski believes that the data support this approach. DA-EPOCH-R should be the standard approach for adult patients with Burkitt lymphoma, Roschewski concludes.