gemcitabine + carboplatin + dexamethasone + rituximab

gemcitabine + carboplatin + dexamethasone + rituximab (R-GCD) is a combination chemoimmunotherapy regimen developed and investigated by the Fred Hutchinson Cancer Center for the treatment of relapsed or refractory lymphoid malignancies. The regimen combines two cytotoxic agents, gemcitabine (a nucleoside analog) and carboplatin (a platinum-based alkylating agent), with the corticosteroid dexamethasone and the anti-CD20 monoclonal antibody rituximab. Gemcitabine inhibits DNA synthesis by incorporating into DNA and inhibiting ribonucleotide reductase, while carboplatin forms DNA adducts that lead to apoptosis. Dexamethasone binds to glucocorticoid receptors to induce lymphocytolysis. Rituximab targets CD20-positive B-cells, mediating cell death through immune-mediated mechanisms such as antibody-dependent cellular cytotoxicity (ADCC) and complement-dependent cytotoxicity (CDC). This combination is primarily utilized as a salvage therapy for patients with previously treated non-Hodgkin and Hodgkin lymphomas.

Other names

Gemcitabine, Carboplatin, Dexamethasone and RituximabR-GCD regimen