Inclusion Criteria:

- previously untreated aggressive B-cell lymphoma (Diffuse Large B-Cell,

- Primary Mediastinal,

- Follicular grade III b Lymphoma);

- age 18 to 60;

- III-IV Ann Arbor stage;

- 0-2 Eastern Cooperative Oncology Group (ECOG) performance status (PS);

- intermediate-high (IH) and high (H) risk score according to age-adjusted
International Prognostic Index (IPI).

- Patients with Primary Mediastinal Lymphoma were included only if they had advanced
stage III or IV disease.

Exclusion Criteria:

- HIV,

- hepatitis B or C virus seropositivity;

- CNS involvement at diagnosis;

- abnormal renal, pulmonary and hepatic function;

- left ventricular ejection fraction less than 45%;

- pregnancy.