Efficacy Of Orally Vp16 Plus Prednisone With Or Without Cyclophosphamide For Refractory And Relapsed Peripheral T-Cell Lymphoma: A Retrospective Single Center Experience

Background: Peripheral T-cell lymphoma represents a heterogeneous group of mature T/NK lymphoma with an aggressive presentation course and a poor outcome. Disease history is characterized by a high degree of relapsed or refractory disease and an inferior outcome. Etoposide phosphate (VP16) is a non-specific antineoplastic agent frequently used in combination in oncology since 50 years. The major mechanism of action of etoposide is the inhibition of DNA topoisomerase II involved in the unwinding of the DNA molecule during replication. A recent preclinical study suggests an immunomodulatory effect of etoposide by selectively eliminating activated T cells. Specific efficacy of VP16 in T-cell lymphoma and especially in AITL had not been described.