A new study reveals that people aged 80 and older with a common type of lymphoma can receive half the standard chemotherapy dose and still be cured or live significantly longer, all while experiencing fewer harmful side effects.
This research supports the Wilmot Cancer Institute’s ongoing mission to improve cancer treatments for the growing population of older adults, particularly those aged 65 and above.
Dr. Paul Barr, senior investigator and professor of Medicine at the University of Rochester, presented the findings at the American Society of Hematology (ASH) annual meeting in December 2025. The study is led by Dr. Danielle Wallace, assistant professor of Medicine, who spearheaded the trial. Barr, who is also the assistant director of Clinical Research at Wilmot, emphasized that older patients don’t need to receive the same chemotherapy dose as younger individuals. Previous studies have already shown the effectiveness of this approach.
The researchers wanted to see if a lower chemotherapy dose could work just as well in real-world settings, outside of specialized cancer centers. The study, which focused on patients treated in community cancer clinics across the U.S., confirmed that reducing the dose is both safe and effective for older patients.
In partnership with COTA Healthcare, which collects cancer treatment data, Wallace and Barr analyzed one of the largest datasets available, tracking the outcomes of nearly 1,400 older adults with diffuse large B-cell lymphoma (DLBCL). The typical chemotherapy for DLBCL is R-CHOP, but the older patients in the study were given a “mini” version of this treatment, called “mini-R-CHOP,” which proved just as effective.
“We found that the mini-R-CHOP treatment worked just as well, but with fewer side effects,” Wallace explained. “In fact, fewer patients stopped treatment due to side effects compared to those who received the full dose. It’s like finding the perfect balance—effective treatment with limited toxicity.”
Currently, Wallace is enrolling older patients with DLBCL in a new trial at Wilmot, testing mini-R-CHOP combined with an immunotherapy drug called mosunetzumab. This trial is part of a series aimed at refining cancer treatments for older adults, and it builds on previous research led by Dr. Patrick Reagan.
Dr. Jonathan Friedberg, Director of Wilmot, highlighted the importance of these studies in improving cancer treatment for older patients. “Our researchers are not just reducing side effects but also leading new clinical trials. This is a major benefit of being an NCI-designated cancer center,” he said.
Wilmot, recognized as a leader in lymphoma research and care, received special designation from the National Cancer Institute in March, placing it among the top 4% of cancer centers nationwide. The institute primarily serves patients across a 27-county area in western and central New York, where cancer rates are higher than average.
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