methotrexate + cytarabine + rituximab + thiotepa

Methotrexate + cytarabine + rituximab + thiotepa, commonly known as the MATRix regimen, is a combination chemoimmunotherapy regimen used as an induction treatment for newly diagnosed primary central nervous system lymphoma (PCNSL), particularly of the diffuse large B-cell type. Developed by the International Extranodal Lymphoma Study Group (IELSG) and evaluated in the randomized phase 2 IELSG32 trial and the phase 3 MATRix/IELSG43 trial, the regimen consists of four components: methotrexate (a small-molecule antimetabolite that inhibits dihydrofolate reductase), cytarabine (a small-molecule nucleoside analogue that inhibits DNA synthesis), rituximab (a chimeric anti-CD20 monoclonal antibody), and thiotepa (a small-molecule DNA alkylating agent). The regimen is typically administered in four 3-week cycles, followed by consolidation therapy such as autologous stem cell transplantation (ASCT) or whole-brain radiotherapy (WBRT).

Other names

MATRixMATRix regimen