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Mantle cell lymphoma (MCL) is a clinically heterogeneous subtype of non-Hodgkin lymphoma for which the type and intensity of induction therapy with cyclophosphamide, vincristine doxorubicin, and prednisone (CHOP) remain controversial. In a prior study, the Nordic Lymphoma Group (NLG) showed that 85% of MCL patients failed induction treatment with dose-intensified CHOP followed by chemotherapy and stem-cell therapy (Eur J Haematol 2003; 71:73). To assess whether adding rituximab (Rituxan) and cytarabine to the original dose-intensified CHOP regimen would improve outcomes for MCL patients, the NLG conducted a phase II trial involving 160 patients aged 65 and younger who had been newly diagnosed with the disease. Patients received 6 treatment …