ESHAP

ESHAP is an acronym for relatively intensive chemotherapy regimen that is used for salvage therapy in relapsed or refractory lymphomas and Hodgkin disease. In combination with monoclonal antibody Rituximab it is called R-ESHAP or ESHAP-R.^[1]

[R]-ESHAP consists of:

1. (R)ituximab, an anti-CD20-directed monoclonal antibody that kills both normal and malignant B-lymphocytes
2. (E)toposide, an epipodofyllotoxin topoisomerase inhibitor
3. (S)olu-Medrol - Methylprednisolone, which is a glucocorticoid that can lyse lymphocytes
4. (H)igh-dose (A)ra-C - cytarabine
5. (P)latinol - Cisplatin, an platinum-based antineoplastic agent with an alkylating mechanism;

Dosing regimen

Drug	Dose	Mode	Days
(R)ituximab	375 mg/m^2	IV infusion	Day 0
(E)toposide	40 mg/m^2	IV infusion over 1 hr	Days 1-4
(S)olu-Medrol - Methylprednisolone	500 mg	IV bolus over 15 min	Days 1-5
(H)igh-dose (A)ra-C — cytarabine	2000 mg/m^2	IV infusion over 2 hrs	Day 5
Platinol (cisplatin)	25 mg/m^2	IV continuous infusion over 24 hrs	Days 1-4

References

1. ESHAP--an effective chemotherapy regimen in refractory and relapsing lymphoma: a 4-year follow-up study.