rituximab + cyclophosphamide + doxorubicin + vincristine + prednisone + alemtuzumab

This combination regimen is an intensified chemoimmunotherapy protocol investigated for the treatment of aggressive lymphomas, particularly diffuse large B-cell lymphoma (DLBCL) and certain T-cell lymphomas. It builds upon the standard R-CHOP backbone—consisting of the anti-CD20 monoclonal antibody **rituximab**, the alkylating agent **cyclophosphamide**, the anthracycline **doxorubicin**, the microtubule inhibitor **vincristine**, and the corticosteroid **prednisone**—by adding **alemtuzumab**, a monoclonal antibody targeting CD52. CD52 is highly expressed on the surface of mature B and T lymphocytes, as well as natural killer cells and monocytes. The addition of alemtuzumab aims to enhance the depletion of malignant cells through antibody-dependent cellular cytotoxicity (ADCC) and complement-dependent cytotoxicity (CDC). While clinical trials, such as CALGB 50103, have explored this regimen to improve outcomes in high-risk patients, its use is often limited by significant hematologic toxicity and a high risk of opportunistic infections due to profound and prolonged lymphopenia.

Brand names

RituxanMabTheraCampath

Other names

R-CHOP-CAlemtuzumab-R-CHOPCampath-R-CHOP