- Two NCI phase II trials have used EPOCH chemotherapy with 1 or 2 doses of rituximab (R) per cycle in untreated BL. (Dose-adjusted) DA-EPOCH-Rituximab has been used in16 HIV negative BL, and 8 HIV positive patients have received 3 to 4 cycles of EPOCHRR to minimize toxicity and risk of opportunistic infections. All patients remain in continuous remission. Treatment was very well tolerated and represents a novel therapeutic strategy in BL.