dexamethasone + etoposide + cisplatin

DEP is a combination chemotherapy regimen consisting of dexamethasone, etoposide, and cisplatin. It is primarily utilized as a salvage therapy for patients with refractory or relapsed hemophagocytic lymphohistiocytosis (HLH). Dexamethasone acts as a potent glucocorticoid to suppress the hyper-inflammatory cytokine storm characteristic of HLH. Etoposide is a topoisomerase II inhibitor that induces apoptosis in activated T cells and histiocytes, while cisplatin is a platinum-based antineoplastic agent that causes DNA cross-linking, further inhibiting the proliferation of the cells driving the disease. This regimen was developed to provide an alternative for patients who fail the standard HLH-94 or HLH-2004 protocols.

Other names

DEP regimenDEP protocolDEP chemotherapy