The ASCO Post asked for comment about the presentation by Nowakowski et al from Nathan Fowler, MD, who developed and led many of the early studies of R-Squared (lenalidomide [Revlimid], rituximab [Rituxan]), in lymphoma as well. Dr. Fowler is Associate Professor in the Department of Lymphoma/Myeloma at The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston.

“We are very excited about the recent results of R2-CHOP in large cell lymphoma. Historically, the addition of cytotoxic agents to the CHOP combination has failed to show a consistent benefit over CHOP alone,” he said.

“Nowakowski and colleagues have shown that R2-CHOP has significant activity in newly diagnosed patients and have suggested that R2-CHOP can ameliorate the inferior prognosis associated with non–germinal center subtype of [diffuse large B-cell lymphoma]. This study further confirms mounting preclinical evidence that lenalidomide has preferential antitumor activity in non–germinal center [diffuse large B-cell lymphoma] cells and emphasizes the concept that adding a biologic agent to a chemotherapy backbone in the correct setting can translate into significantly improved outcomes.” ■

Disclosure: Dr Fowler has received research funding from and is on the scientific advisory boards of Celgene and Roche.