azacytidine + rituximab + gemcitabine + oxaliplatin

This chemo-immunotherapy regimen combines the hypomethylating agent azacytidine with the R-GemOx protocol (rituximab, gemcitabine, and oxaliplatin). Developed for the treatment of elderly patients with diffuse large B-cell lymphoma (DLBCL), the regimen leverages the epigenetic modulating effects of azacytidine to potentially sensitize tumor cells to the cytotoxic effects of gemcitabine and oxaliplatin and the targeted immunotherapy of rituximab. Azacytidine functions by inhibiting DNA methyltransferases, leading to DNA hypomethylation and the reactivation of tumor suppressor genes. Rituximab is a chimeric monoclonal antibody targeting the CD20 antigen on B-lymphocytes, inducing cell death through antibody-dependent cellular cytotoxicity (ADCC) and complement-dependent cytotoxicity (CDC). Gemcitabine is a nucleoside analog that inhibits DNA synthesis, while oxaliplatin is a platinum-based agent that forms DNA adducts, causing intra- and inter-strand cross-links that trigger apoptosis.

Brand names

VidazaRituxanGemzarEloxatin

Other names

AZA + R-GemOxAzacitidine plus R-GemOx