R-EPOCH + cART

R-EPOCH + cART is a combination therapy used primarily for the treatment of aggressive B-cell non-Hodgkin lymphoma in patients with HIV. The regimen consists of six drugs: rituximab (a monoclonal antibody targeting CD20 on B cells), etoposide (a topoisomerase II inhibitor), prednisone (a glucocorticoid steroid), vincristine (Oncovin; a microtubule inhibitor), cyclophosphamide (an alkylating agent), and doxorubicin (Adriamycin; an anthracycline antibiotic that intercalates DNA). The addition of cART refers to concurrent administration of combination antiretroviral therapy for HIV infection. This approach aims to treat both lymphoma and underlying HIV infection simultaneously. Each component has a distinct mechanism targeting cancer cell proliferation or survival. R-EPOCH is considered standard-of-care for certain aggressive lymphomas in people living with HIV[1][5][6][8].

Brand names

RituxanOncovinCytoxanAdriamycin

Other names

EPOCH chemotherapy regimen with rituximab and concurrent combination antiretroviral therapy