Early locoregional high-dose radiotherapy is associated with long-term disease control in localized primary angiocentric lymphoma of the nose and nasopharynx

International Consensus Statement on Allergy and Rhinology: Sinonasal Tumors

BACKGROUND

Sinonasal neoplasms, whether benign and malignant, pose a significant challenge to clinicians and represent a model area for multidisciplinary collaboration in order to optimize patient care. The International Consensus Statement on Allergy and Rhinology: Sinonasal Tumors (ICSNT) aims to summarize the best available evidence and presents 48 thematic and histopathology-based topics spanning the field.

METHODS

In accordance with prior International Consensus Statement on Allergy and Rhinology documents, ICSNT assigned each topic as an Evidence-Based Review with Recommendations, Evidence-Based Review, and Literature Review based on the level of evidence. An international group of multidisciplinary author teams were assembled for the topic reviews using the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses format, and completed sections underwent a thorough and iterative consensus-building process. The final document underwent rigorous synthesis and review prior to publication.

RESULTS

The ICSNT document consists of four major sections: general principles, benign neoplasms and lesions, malignant neoplasms, and quality of life and surveillance. It covers 48 conceptual and/or histopathology-based topics relevant to sinonasal neoplasms and masses. Topics with a high level of evidence provided specific recommendations, while other areas summarized the current state of evidence. A final section highlights research opportunities and future directions, contributing to advancing knowledge and community intervention.

CONCLUSION

As an embodiment of the multidisciplinary and collaborative model of care in sinonasal neoplasms and masses, ICSNT was designed as a comprehensive, international, and multidisciplinary collaborative endeavor. Its primary objective is to summarize the existing evidence in the field of sinonasal neoplasms and masses.

Nasal-Type Natural Killer/T-cell Lymphoma With Inaugural Testicular Presentation in a Young Patient

Nasal-type natural killer/T-cell lymphoma is a rare non-Hodgkin's malignant lymphoma. A distinct clinicopathological entity associated with the Epstein-Barr virus, it typically presents with otorhinolaryngeal symptomatology. We report a rare case of a 24-year-old patient with nasal-type lymphoma with an atypical inaugural testicular presentation associated with the discovery of bilateral adrenal involvement.

Efficacy of a short sandwich protocol, methotrexate, gemcitabine, L-asparaginase and dexamethasone chemotherapy combined with radiotherapy, in localised newly diagnosed NK/T-cell lymphoma: A French retrospective study

Extranodal NK/T-cell lymphoma, nasal type is a rare and aggressive form of lymphoma, historically associated with poor prognosis. We report here the results of a retrospective multi-centre study evaluating the efficacy of MGAD (methotrexate, gemcitabine, L-asparaginase and dexamethasone) regimen (two cycles) combined with 'sandwich' radiotherapy in 35 patients with localised newly diagnosed extranodal NK/T-cell lymphoma. Thirty-two patients (91%) reached complete remission. With a long median follow-up of 59.6 months, progression-free and overall survival at 2 and 5 years were 71%, 80% and 53%, 73%, respectively. Around one third of the patients experienced relapse within a median time of 14.5 months. Side-effects were manageable with grades 3-4 cytopenias, mucositis and infection in 50%, 24% and 21% of the cases, respectively. Monitoring of asparaginase activity was performed in 13 patients and showed inactivation of the drug in seven (54%) patients. Our results indicate that a short therapy by sandwich MGAD chemoradiotherapy is a tolerable and effective treatment option in localised newly diagnosed extranodal NK/T-cell lymphoma patients.

Progress of Hematopoietic Stem Cell Transplantation and Radiotherapy in the Treatment of Extranodal NK/T Cell Lymphoma

Extranodal Natural Killer/T-cell lymphoma (ENKTL) is an extremely rare type of lymphoma which is highly lethal. It mainly affects the midline area unfolding as a necrotic granulomatous and extremely disfiguring lesion. There are two subtypes of (NKTL); the most common one is nasal which appears in the nasal cavity including the nasopharynx, oropharynx, parts of the aero digestive tract and Waldeyer’s ring. While the other rarer subtype, appears in sites like the skin, testis, gastrointestinal tract, salivary glands and muscle. ENKTL is popular for the expression of multidrug resistance-associated P-glycoprotein, which not only plays the main role at exporting many antitumor agents outside tumor cells, but also makes the disease hard to treat. It is commonly associated with Epstein-Barr virus (EBV) infection and commonly occurs in Asian populations. However, there is no single unified consensus yet as to what is the standardized treatment for ENKTL. Radiotherapy alone treatment, has been considered as a first-line therapy for localized ENKTL, which later on was found to be insufficient for improving survival rates. Thus, the combination of chemotherapy and radiotherapy has been recommended as a therapeutic modality for localized ENKTL. Several combination modalities of radiotherapy and chemotherapy have been advised in clinical practice including concurrent, sequential and sandwich chemo radiotherapy. For the best treatment outcome, only patients with localized nasal ENKTL and low risk of treatment failure are eligible for radiotherapy. Both radiotherapy and hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (HSCT) have been used as treatment modalities in ENKTL patients. Upfront HSCT was performed for ENKTL, but it was associated with a very poor prognosis even for the limited-stage disease. The evidence supporting the use of HSCT to treat ENKTL was derived from the results of a series of phase 1 and 2 trials along with retrospective studies. The end result was a unified consensus that consolidative HSCT is not necessary in patients with newly diagnosed localized ENKTL who achieved complete response after treatment with any of the modern chemo radiotherapy regimens. Hence, HSCT is solely advised for advanced and relapsed NKTL. The main debate remains over which HSCT is the most suitable for patients with newly diagnosed advanced NKTL and relapsed NKTL.

Phase II study of sequential chemoradiotherapy with L-asparaginase, dexamethasone, ifosfamide, cisplatin, and etoposide (DICE-L) in the early stage of extranodal natural killer (NK)/T-cell lymphoma

Background

To explore a more effective treatment strategy for newly diagnosed stage I and II extranodal natural killer/T-cell lymphoma (ENKTL), nasal type, we conducted a prospective phase II study of sequential chemoradiotherapy with the L-asparaginase, dexamethasone, ifosfamide, cisplatin, and etoposide (DICE-L) regimen.

Methods

Patients with newly diagnosed stage I and II ENKTL in the upper-aerodigestive tract were enrolled. Treatment was comprised of up to 4 cycles of DICE-L followed by 50 Gy of intensity modulated radiation therapy (IMRT) to the involved field. The primary endpoint was the complete response (CR) rate. The secondary endpoints were the objective response rate (ORR), the 5-year overall survival (OS) rate, the 5-year progression-free survival (PFS) rate, and safety.

Results

A total of 81 patients were enrolled from June 2009 to May 2012 in Shanghai Cancer Hospital. Among these patients, 68 patients achieved CR and 1 patient achieved partial response (PR). The CR rate was 84%, and the ORR was 85.2%. With a median follow up of 88.1 months, the 5-year OS and 5-year PFS rates were 82.4% and 63.4%, respectively. The most common adverse events were grade 3 to 4 neutropenia (73.5%) and febrile neutropenia (21%).

Conclusions

Sequential chemoradiotherapy using DICE-L followed by radiotherapy is an effective treatment modality for stage I to IIE ENKTL and is safe with acceptable toxicity.

Treatment of localized extranodal NK/T cell lymphoma, nasal type: a systematic review

Extranodal natural killer/T cell lymphoma (ENKTL), nasal type, presents predominantly as a localized disease involving the nasal cavity and adjacent sites, and the treatment of localized nasal ENKTL is a major issue. However, given its rarity, there is no standard therapy based on randomized controlled trials and therefore a lack of consensus on the treatment of localized nasal ENKTL. Currently recommended treatments are based mainly on the results of phase II studies and retrospective analyses. Because the previous outcomes of anthracycline-containing chemotherapy were poor, non-anthracycline-based chemotherapy regimens, including etoposide and L-asparaginase, have been used mainly for patients with localized nasal ENKTL. Radiotherapy also has been used as a main component of treatment because it can produce a rapid response. Accordingly, the combined approach of non-anthracycline-based chemotherapy with radiotherapy is currently recommended as a first-line treatment for localized nasal ENKTL. This review summarizes the different approaches for the use of non-anthracycline-based chemotherapy with radiotherapy including concurrent, sequential, and sandwich chemoradiotherapy, which have been proposed as a first-line treatment for newly diagnosed patients with localized nasal ENKTL.

[Nasal NK/T-cell lymphoma: about two rare cases]

Le lymphome T/NK est une affection grave et rare en Afrique et en Europe. Le traitement repose sur la radiothérapie et la chimiothérapie. Les auteurs rapportent deux observations de patients âgés respectivement de 55 et 52 ans, qui présentent une obstruction nasale bilatérale avec une rhinorrhée purulente, chez eux l'examen clinique a mis en évidence la présence d'une fente palatine. Le diagnostic n'a pu être posé qu'après une étude immuno-histochimique des biopsies. Les 2 patients ont bénéficié d'une chimiothérapie type CHOEP suivi d'une cure de radiothérapie. Le lymphome T/NK nasal est une forme agressive de lymphome non hodgkinien comportant des caractéristiques clinicopathologiques qui lui sont spécifiques. L'association de la chimiothérapie pour les stades avancés ne semble pas améliorer la survie par rapport à la radiothérapie seule qui reste le traitement de choix surtout pour les stades localisés. La localisation nasal du lymphome T /NK est rare. Le diagnostic repose sur l'étude immunohistochimique. Le traitement comprend chimiothérapie et radiothérapie. Ce type lymphome est de mauvais pronostic globalement, y compris sous traitement.

A systematic comparison of treatment modalities for nasal extranodal natural killer/T-cell lymphoma in early stages between concurrent chemoradiotherapy and sequential chemotherapy

Aim

Nasal extranodal natural killer/T-cell lymphoma (nasal ENKTL), which is strongly associated with the Epstein–Barr virus infection, is a common disease in Asia and Latin America. We conducted a retrospective study to compare the overall survival (OS) following concurrent or sequential treatment with radiotherapy and chemotherapy in patients with early stage ENKTL.

Patients and methods

The records of 58 cases from between 2000 to 2010 were retrieved. Of these, 28 patients (15 males, with median age of 51 years) were treated with sequential chemotherapy followed by radiotherapy (SCRT) and 30 patients (17 males, with median age of 46 years) were treated with concurrent chemoradiotherapy (CCRT). Subsequently, the OS, 5-year progression-free survival (PFS), 5-year locoregional-free survival (LRFS), and relevant toxicities were analyzed.

Results

There were no significant differences in the toxicities and complete response rate between the 2 groups (all P>0.05) during and immediately after treatment. Kaplan–Meier curve analysis demonstrated that there were significant differences between the CCRT and SCRT groups with regard to 5-year OS (72.9% vs 47.1%, P=0.029), 5-year PFS (68.8% vs 34.2%, P=0.030), and LRFS (78.9% vs 45.7%, P=0.026).

Conclusion

We have demonstrated that in comparison with SCRT, CCRT significantly improves the survival outcome in patients with localized ENKTL, with acceptable toxicities. Further clinical trials are needed.

L-Asparaginase for newly diagnosed extra-nodal NK/T-cell lymphoma: systematic review and meta-analysis

OBJECTIVES

The aim of this review was to compare the efficacy of asparaginase (ASP)-containing vs ASP-absent regimens in the first-line treatment of ENKTL patients.

METHODS

The PRISMA protocol was used to search PubMed and Embase for both controlled and uncontrolled studies of ASP or alternative chemotherapy (CT) for newly diagnosed ENKTL, published in English by March 2017. The regimens were compared to calculate relative risk (RR) with 95% confidence interval (CI) of the overall response rate (ORR), complete response (CR) or partial response (PR).

RESULTS

Out of 38 studies included, eight were controlled trials, with the pooled RR of ORR in stage I-II 1.54 (95% CI 1.34-1.77); stage I-IV 1.34 (95% CI 1.09-1.64). In stage III-IV CT combined with radiotherapy (RT), RR of ORR was 2.30 (95% CI 1.66-3.18). ASP was also superior in achieving CR. When all single arms combined, RR of ORR after CT with ASP was 1.52 (95% CI 1.38-1.67) in stage I-II (15 studies); 1.44 (95% CI 1.32-1.57) in all stages (29 studies); 1.31 (95% CI 1.24-1.38) and 1.66 (95% CI 1.18-2.34) in stages I-II and III-IV combined with RT, correspondingly.

CONCLUSIONS

ASP-based CT significantly improved ORR and CR in patients with newly diagnosed both early-stage and advanced-stage ENKTL.

Clinical Features and Current Optimal Management of Natural Killer/T-Cell Lymphoma

Extranodal natural killer/T-cell lymphoma, nasal type (ENKL), is a rare subtype of non-Hodgkin lymphoma, and its treatment outcome was previously poor. Novel treatment strategies have improved the outcomes of ENKL remarkably in the last decade. Nowadays, patients with localized nasal ENKL are recommended treatment with concurrent chemoradiotherapy, and their 5-year overall survival rate is approximately 70%. In patients with advanced or relapsed/refractory disease, the efficacy of l-asparaginase-containing therapy has been confirmed. However, there still remain unmet needs in the treatment of ENKL. Continued efforts should be made to further improvements in the treatment of ENKL.

Concurrent Etoposide, Steroid, High-dose Ara-C and Platinum chemotherapy with radiation therapy in localised extranodal natural killer (NK)/T-cell lymphoma, nasal type

PURPOSE

Radiation combined with chemotherapy has recently been proposed to treat patients with localised extranodal natural killer (NK)/T lymphoma (ENKTL), nasal type. However, the modalities of the chemoradiotherapy combination and drug choices remain a matter of debate. We conducted a concurrent chemoradiotherapy (CCRT) study with the ESHAP (Etoposide, Steroid, High-dose Ara-C and Platinum) regimen.

METHODS

An induction phase with two upfront courses of CCRT delivering a 40Gy dose of radiation concurrently with two cycles of the ESHAP chemotherapy regimen, followed by a consolidation phase with 2-3 cycles of ESHAP chemotherapy alone.

RESULTS

Thirteen patients with localised ENKTL nasal type were enrolled between January 2005 and December 2014. The median age was 62years. Ten and three patients had Ann Arbor stage IE and IIE disease, respectively. They all completed the induction CCRT phase. A median of two consolidation ESHAP cycles were delivered. During consolidation, 8/13 (62%) patients had a reduction in the number of chemotherapy cycles or reduced chemotherapy doses, due to haematologically adverse events. The other five patients (38%) received the full number of ESHAP cycles of chemotherapy scheduled without a dose reduction. All but one patient (92%) experienced grade 3-4 haematological toxicity. The main non-haematological grade 3-4 toxicity was mucositis in 6/13 (46%) patients. All but one patient (92%) achieved a complete remission. Two-year overall survival was 72%.

CONCLUSIONS

With optimal management of the specific toxicities induced by this treatment modality, CCRT with the ESHAP regimen yielded high efficacy against localised ENKTL, nasal type.

Treatment outcome of radiotherapy alone versus radiochemotherapy in IE/IIE extranodal nasal-type natural killer/T cell lymphoma: a meta-analysis

BACKGROUND

Previous studies have revealed conflicting findings concerning the efficacy of radiotherapy (RT) and radiochemotherapy (RCT) in IE/IIE extranodal nasal-type natural killer/T cell lymphoma (ENKTL). In this study, we conducted a comprehensive meta-analysis to address this issue.

METHODS

We systematically searched PubMed, Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials (CENTRAL), EmBase, BISOS, Clinical Trials and some Chinese databases for relevant studies, and 2 prospective and 15 retrospective studies involving a total of 1595 patients met our inclusion criteria.

RESULTS

The meta-analysis showed no significant differences in complete remission (CR) [odds ratio (OR) 0.85, 95% confidence interval (CI) 0.42-1.72, p = 0.65], 5-year overall survival (OS) [hazard ratio (HR) 1.11, 95% CI 0.85-1.45, p = 0.43] and 5-year progression free survival (PFS) (HR 1.07, 95% CI 0.75-1.53, p = 0.70) in patients who received RT versus RCT. Furthermore, the addition of CT decreased neither systemic failure (SL) (OR 0.75, 95% CI 0.47-1.21, p = 0.24) nor locoregional failure (LF) (OR 1.17, 95% CI 0.68-2.01, p = 0. 57).

CONCLUSIONS

RCT did not have an obvious advantage over RT for treating IE/IIE ENKTL.

Extra Nodal NK/T-Cell Lymphoma Nasal Type that Responded to DeVIC Combination Chemotherapy

We report a 76-year-old woman with extra nodal NK/T-cell lymphoma nasal type (ENKL). She had large tumors on her left leg with inguinal lymphadenopathy and gastric tumors. The tumor cells showed angiocentric growth with necrosis. Immunohistologically, the tumor cells from the skin lesion expressed CD2, cytoplasmic CD3, CD56, and T-cell intracellular antigen-1 (TIA-1), but not surface CD3, CD19, and TdT. The gastric tumor cell, also expressed cytoplasmic CD3, CD45RO and CD56. She was diagnosed as having ENKL (stage IV of Ann Arbor). The tumors responded remarkably well to radiation therapy followed by multi-drug resistance independent DeVIC (carboplatin, etoposide, ifosfamide, and dexamethasone) combination therapy. After two series of this therapy, no tumors were detected in clinical, histopathological, endoscope and computerized tomogram (CT) examinations. However, she suddenly died of brain stem metastasis three months later. Although there may be a limitation of effects on metastasis of tumors in the central nervous system, radiation and DeVIC combination therapy is a potent therapeutic method for ENKL.

[Radiation therapy of sinonasal natural killer/T-cell lymphoma]

Natural killer (NK)/T-cell lymphoma are part of lymphoproliferative diseases, they are rare in Europe and the United States but relatively common in Asia and South America. Natural killer (NK)/T-cell lymphoma present clinically as destructive lesions of the upper aerodigestive tract with perforation of deep structures of the face, destruction of the palate or an invasion of orbits. Treatment modalities of these lymphomas are still discussed because of the lack of available studies and the rarity of this disease. Radiotherapy provides a rapid control of the disease and is positioned as a major treatment of localized stages of NK/T-cell lymphoma of the nasal cavity. We therefore studied the different forms of radiation therapy in the early stages of nasal NK/T-cell lymphoma.

Retrospective study of modified SMILE chemotherapy for advanced-stage, relapsed, or refractory extranodal natural killer (NK)/T cell lymphoma, nasal type

Extranodal natural killer/T cell lymphomas, nasal type (ENKLs), which are a group of non-Hodgkin lymphomas with poor prognoses, are much more common in China than in Western countries. Here, we retrospectively assessed the impact of two treatment regimens on clinical response and survival among 42 ENKL patients. All patients were diagnosed with stage IV, relapsed, or refractory ENKL. Twenty patients received modified SMILE (consisting of L-asparaginase, methotrexate, ifosphamide, etoposide, and dexamethasone) chemotherapy, and 22 control patients received CHOP (consisting of cyclophosphamide, doxorubicin, vincristine, and prednisone) treatment. Higher complete response (CR) and overall response rates (ORR) (CR 45.0 vs. 13%, ORR 70 vs. 36%) were observed among the patients treated with the modified SMILE regimen (Fisher's exact = 0.040, Pearson χ(2) P = 0.030). Similarly, a higher ORR rate was observed among Epstein-Barr virus-positive patients (ORR 50.0 vs. 18.0%, Fisher's exact = 0.049). The treatment group was also significantly associated with longer overall survival (OS) and progression-free survival (PFS) (Log-rank, P = 0.0341, P = 0.0142, respectively), but OS did not seem to be longer. Treatment-related toxicity was monitored in all patients throughout the protocol. There were no significant differences in the incidence of hematological and non-hematological toxicities between the two groups (P < 0.05), with the exception of peripheral neuropathy (treatment = 0 control = 5, Fisher's exact = 0.049).

The significance of combining radiotherapy with chemotherapy for early stage extranodal natural killer/T-cell lymphoma, nasal type: a systematic review and meta-analysis

Abstract Radiotherapy is regarded as a primary treatment for early stage extranodal natural killer (NK)/T-cell lymphoma, nasal type (ENKTL). However, whether combined modality treatment (CMT) comprising radiotherapy and chemotherapy is necessary remains controversial. A systematic review and meta-analysis of studies was performed to evaluate the significance of combining radiotherapy with chemotherapy for early stage ENKTL. Comparison of CMT and radiotherapy alone (RT) showed no significant difference by the measurement of complete response (CR) (odds ratio [OR] 1.07; 95% confidence interval [CI] 0.73-1.58; p = 0.73), 5-year overall survival rate (OS) (HR 0.73; 95% CI 0.45-1.19; p = 0.21) and progression-free survival rate (PFS) (HR 0.76; 95% CI 0.50-1.17; p = 0.21). Additional chemotherapy did not decrease systemic failure (OR 1.52; 95% CI 0.97-2.40; p = 0.07), as well as locoregional failure (OR 0.94; 95% CI 0.52-1.73; p = 0.85). The results may support the assertion that the combination of radiotherapy with chemotherapy cannot improve treatment outcomes, but rather it increases adverse effects and financial costs. However, these results should be interpreted with caution.

Impact of dexamethasone, etoposide, ifosfamide and carboplatin as concurrent chemoradiotherapy agents for nasal natural killer/T-cell lymphoma

The nasal type of extranodal natural killer (NK)/T-cell lymphoma (NKTCL) is a rare aggressive lymphoma with poor prognosis. The reported 5-year overall survival for patients with localized nasal NKTCL treated with cyclophosphamide, hydroxydaunorubicin, oncovin and prednisone (CHOP) is <50%. Dexamethasone, etoposide, ifosfamide and carboplatin (DeVIC) chemotherapy was designed as a salvage chemotherapeutic regimen for aggressive lymphoma, comprising multidrug resistance (MDR) non-related agents and etoposide, which is considered to be effective against nasal NKTCL. An experimental chemoradiotherapy (CRT) is currently being designed using DeVIC as the concurrent chemotherapeutic regimen for nasal NKTCL. The aim of this study was to examine the initial outcome of this treatment and evaluate its effectiveness and feasibility. Six patients (age range, 29–82 years; median age, 68 years) were treated with CRT using DeVIC between April, 2004 and February, 2010. The median follow-up was 56 months (range, 11–80 months). All patients were administered 3–6 cycles of full-dose DeVIC regimen. The chemotherapy was administered concurrently with radiotherapy (RT) and was repeated every 3 weeks. RT was performed using 4-MV X-ray and the prescription dose was 46–50 Gy/23–25 fx (median, 50 Gy). After treatment, all patients were followed up at our hospital. A complete remission was achieved in 5 patients (83%) at 1 month after treatment. The 5-year overall survival and disease-free survival rates were 100%. No severe adverse effect (grade ≥3) was reported. In conclusion, the initial results of the experimental CRT with DeVIC for this type of aggressive lymphoma were very encouraging. Further investigation is required on concurrent CRT with 50 Gy/25 fx and 3 cycles of DeVIC comprising non-MDR agents and etoposide for nasal NKTCL.

Clinical value of metabolic tumor volume by PET/CT in extranodal natural killer/T cell lymphoma

This study investigated whether metabolic tumor volume (MTV) by PET/CT as indicator of extent of lymphoma burden would be a prognostic factor in stage I(E)/II(E) extranodal natural killer/T cell lymphoma (ENKTCL). Eighty patients with stage I(E)/II(E) ENKTCL in the upper aerodigestive tract underwent PET/CT at diagnosis were enrolled and 32 patients received upfront radiotherapy (RTx). MTV was measured on PET/CT images by the extranodal region above SUV, 2.5. Receiver operating curve analyses indicated that an MTV of 35.2 cm(3) was the ideal cut-off to distinguish between low and high MTV groups. Clinical outcomes were compared according to several prognostic factors (age, stage, high performance status [PS], high International Prognostic Index, elevated lactate dehydrogenase [LDH], local tumor invasiveness [LTI], high MTV and up-front RT). High PS, elevated LDH, LTI, high MTV and upfront RT were associated with survivals. In multivariate analysis, high MTV (PFS, HR=4.170, 95% CI=1.714-10.147, p=0.002; OS, HR=4.102, 95% CI=1.617-10.408, p=0.003) and up-front RT (PFS, HR=0.410, 95%CI=0.178-0.946, p=0.037; OS, HR=0.365, 95% CI=0.152-0.872, p=0.023) were significant independent prognostic factors. Upfront RTx and extent of tumor burden, as measured by the MTV, had significant prognostic value in patients with ENKTCL.

Cyclophosphamide, doxorubicin, vincristine, and prednisone (CHOP) in the treatment of stage IE/IIE extranodal natural killer/T cell lymphoma, nasal type: 13-year follow-up in 135 patients

We conducted a retrospective study of 135 patients of stage IE/IIE extranodal natural killer/T cell lymphoma, nasal type (ENKTL) treated with CHOP as induction chemotherapy to find some valuable prognostic factors and analyze the usefulness of International Prognostic Index (IPI) and Korean Prognostic Index (KPI) in predicting prognosis. Most of the patients were in the low-risk group (IPI score 0-1). Complete remission (CR) after induction chemotherapy was achieved in 31.8 % of the patients, which increased to 69.6 % after radiotherapy. The 2-, 5-, and 10-year overall survival (OS) rates were 60, 48, and 43 %, respectively. Patients with better performance status (ECOG 0-1), normal serum LDH level, without local invasiveness, low KPI scores, and IPI score of 0 had significantly better overall survival (P < 0.05) in univariate analysis. Using multivariate analysis, we identified serum LDH level, ECOG PS score and local invasiveness to be independent prognostic factors. In conclusion, ENKTL is an aggressive lymphoma that shows heterogeneity. The IPI and KPI score systems should be improved further to classify patients into different groups, and should be validated in larger prospective trials. Due to the multi-drug resistance mechanism of ENKTL, CHOP is no longer the state of art and novel drugs should be incorporated into future treatments.

State of the art in natural killer cell malignancies

The recently updated World Health Organization (WHO) classification of tumors of hematopoietic and lymphoid tissues, published in 2008, has made great advances in revising the disorders previously included in the pool of natural killer (NK) cell tumors. Although NK cell neoplasms represent a relatively rare group of diseases, accounting for <5% of all lymphoid neoplasms, they include very distinctive conditions both clinically and pathologically. This family of diseases includes the most indolent clinical forms, such as the provisional new entry of chronic lymphoproliferative disorder of NK cells (CLPD-NK) in the WHO classification, as well as one of the most fatal diseases recognized in medical oncology, aggressive NK cell leukemia (ANKL), which is characterized by a prognosis of weeks, or even days. In addition, some disorders previously identified as blastic NK cell lymphoma within the NK cell system have been more properly defined and included in the blastic plasmacytoid dentritic cell neoplasms, although rare cases of bona fide immature NK lymphoid tumors (now classified as NK cell lymphoblastic leukemia/lymphoma) have been reported in the literature. This paper focuses on recent concepts and progress in morphology, pathogenesis, clinicopathological features, treatment approaches, and outcomes of NK cell malignancies.

A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis of Front-line Anthracycline-Based Chemotherapy Regimens for Peripheral T-Cell Lymphoma

Anthracycline-based chemotherapy remains standard treatment for peripheral T-cell lymphoma (PTCL) although its benefits have been questioned. We performed systematic literature review and meta-analyses examining the complete response (CR) and overall survival (OS) rates for patients with PTCL. The CR rate for PTCL patients ranged from 35.9% (95% CI 23.4-50.7%) for enteropathy-type T-cell lymphoma (ETTL) to 65.8% (95% CI 54.0-75.9%) for anaplastic large cell lymphoma (ALCL). The 5-year OS was 38.5% (95% CI 35.5-41.6%) for all PTCL patients and ranged from 20.3% (95% CI 12.5-31.2%) for ETTL to 56.5% (95% CI 42.8-69.2%) for ALCL. These data suggest that there is marked heterogeneity across PTCL subtypes in the benefits of anthracycline-based chemotherapy. While anthracyclines produce CR in half of PTCL patients, this yields reasonable 5-year OS for patients with ALCL but not for those with PTCL-NOS or ETTL. Novel agents and regimens are needed to improve outcomes for these patients.

[Maxillary T/NK lymphoma. Case report]

INTRODUCTION

Primary nasal T/NK cell lymphoma is a very rare pathological clinical entity; it was defined by the WHO in 2001, thanks to immunohistochemistry. The treatment combines radiotherapy and chemotherapy. We report a case.

CASE REPORT

A 20-year-old male patient was admitted for ulceration of the vestibular mucosa from tooth 20 to 26, in June 2008. The lesion had appeared four months before, with a painful ulceration close to tooth 25. The lesion evolved progressively, it eroded the alveolar bone, exposing the roots of teeth 24, 25, and 26. CT scan revealed lysis of the external maxillary sinus wall. The diagnosis of T/NK cell lymphoma was obtained by immunohistochemistry of the biopsy. The tumor was staged IeA according to the Ann Arbor classification. After four courses of CHOP chemotherapy and two years of follow-up there was no recurrence.

DISCUSSION

Maxillary T/NK cell lymphoma is extremely rare. The diagnosis is based on immunohistochemistry. The treatment associates chemotherapy and radiotherapy. Recent studies suggest that radiotherapy at an early stage could improve the prognosis. But there is no consensus on therapeutic protocols.

Treatment of localized extranodal NK/T cell lymphoma, nasal type

Extranodal NK/T cell lymphoma predominantly presents as a localized disease in the upper aerodigestive tract from the nasal cavity to the hypopharynx. Because radiotherapy has better outcomes than chemotherapy with reduced locoregional failure, it should be considered the preferred first-line therapy. However, the addition of chemotherapy is appropriate as part of the initial treatment because of the frequent systemic progression or relapse after radiotherapy. At present, the combination of radiotherapy and chemotherapy can be considered an effective treatment option, and the promising results of recent prospective studies with concurrent chemoradiotherapy support this treatment strategy. In contrast, intensive chemotherapy should be considered as initial treatment for patients with tumors in non-upper-aerodigestive-tract sites, such as skin or intestine because they usually progress to systemic disease. Likewise, for patients with poor prognostic factors, such as a high NK lymphoma prognostic index, autologous stem cell transplantation during remission and additional treatments with central nervous system prophylaxis may be beneficial. However, the precise role of these treatments needs to be clarified further by prospective clinical trials. Thus, a prospective study is warranted to explore a risk-adapted treatment strategy of applying initial chemoradiotherapy and additional consolidation treatments.

Lymphomatoid gastropathy: a distinct clinicopathologic entity of self-limited pseudomalignant NK-cell proliferation

Diagnostic errors in distinguishing between malignant and reactive processes can cause serious clinical consequences. We report 10 cases of unrecognized self-limited natural killer-cell proliferation in the stomach, designated as lymphomatoid gastropathy (LyGa). This study included 5 men and 5 women (age, 46-75 years) without any gastric symptoms. Gastroscopy showed elevated lesion(s) (diameter, ∼ 1 cm). Histologically, medium-sized to large atypical cells diffusely infiltrated the lamina propria and, occasionally, the glandular epithelium. The cells were CD2(+/-), sCD3(-), cCD3(+), CD4(-), CD5(-), CD7(+), CD8(-), CD16(-), CD20(-), CD45(+), CD56(+), CD117(-), CD158a(-), CD161(-), T cell-restricted intracellular antigen-1(+), granzyme B(+), perforin(+), Epstein-Barr early RNA(-), T-cell receptor αβ(-), and T-cell receptor γδ(-). Analysis of the 16 specimens biopsied from 10 patients led to a diagnosis of lymphoma or suspected lymphoma in 11 specimens, gastritis for 1 specimen, adenocarcinoma for 1 specimen, and LyGa or suspected LyGa for 3 specimens. Most lesions underwent self-regression. Three cases relapsed, but none of the patients died. According to conventional histopathologic criteria, LyGa is probably diagnosed as lymphoma, especially as extranodal natural killer/T-cell lymphoma, nasal type. However, LyGa is recognized as a pseudomalignant process because of its clinical characteristics. The concept of LyGa should be well recognized.

Extranodal NK / T-cell lymphoma, nasal type: new staging system and treatment strategies

Extranodal NK/T-cell lymphoma (NTCL) is characterized by clinical heterogeneity based on clinical prognostic factors and survival outcome. NTCL subsets are classified as upper aerodigestive tract (UAT) NTCL or non-UAT NTCL; non-UAT has pathologic similarity to UAT-NTCL but is a clinically distinct subtype. Due to the clinical heterogeneity of NTCL, optimal treatment modalities and prognostic factors have been difficult to determine. Ann Arbor staging for lymphomas and the International Prognostic Index (IPI) have been used to predict prognosis for UAT-NTCL; however, local tumor invasiveness (bony invasion or perforation or invasion of the overlying skin) is the most significant factor for poor outcomes in localized UAT-NTCL. Thus, a new staging system is proposed: limited disease (stage I/II UAT-NTCL without local tumor invasiveness) and extensive disease (stage I/II with local invasiveness or stage III/IV disease of UAT NTCL, and non-UAT NTCL) based on treatment outcomes. NTCL is resistant to anthracycline-based chemotherapy, whereas non-anthracycline combination chemotherapy (such as ifosfamide, methotrexate, etoposide, and prednisolone) has an activity against NTCL as either a front-line or as a second-line treatment. The effectiveness of radiotherapy is evident in limited disease, but questionable in extensive disease.

Primary radiotherapy showed favorable outcome in treating extranodal nasal-type NK/T-cell lymphoma in children and adolescents

Extranodal nasal-type natural killer (NK)/T-cell lymphoma is rarely observed in children and adolescents. We aim to investigate the clinical features, prognosis, and treatment outcomes in these patients. Thirty-seven patients were reviewed. There were 19, 14, 2, and 2 patients with stage I, stage II, stage III, and stage IV diseases, respectively. Among the patients with stage I and II disease, 19 patients received initial radiotherapy with or without chemotherapy, and 14 patients received chemotherapy followed by radiotherapy. The 4 patients with stage III and IV disease received primary chemotherapy and radiation of the primary tumor. Children and adolescents with extranodal nasal-type NK/T-cell lymphoma usually presented with early-stage disease, high frequency of B symptoms, good performance, low-risk age-adjusted international prognostic index, and chemoresistance. The complete response rate after initial radiotherapy was 73.7%, which was significantly higher than the response rate after initial chemotherapy (16.7%; P = .002). The 5-year overall survival (OS) and progression-free survival (PFS) rates for all the patients were 77.0% and 68.5%, respectively. The corresponding OS and PFS rates for patients with stage I and II disease were 77.6% and 72.3%, respectively. Children and adolescents with early-stage extranodal nasal-type NK/T-cell lymphoma treated with primary radiotherapy had a favorable prognosis.

Phase I/II Study of Concurrent Chemoradiotherapy for Localized Nasal Natural Killer/T-Cell Lymphoma: Japan Clinical Oncology Group Study JCOG0211

Purpose

To explore a more effective treatment for localized nasal natural killer (NK)/T-cell lymphoma, we conducted a phase I/II study of concurrent chemoradiotherapy.

Patients and Methods

Treatments comprised concurrent radiotherapy (50 Gy) and 3 courses of dexamethasone, etoposide, ifosfamide, and carboplatin (DeVIC). Patients with a newly diagnosed stage IE or contiguous IIE disease with cervical node involvement and a performance status (PS) of 0 to 2 were eligible for enrollment. The primary end point of the phase II portion was a 2-year overall survival in patients treated with the recommended dose.

Results

Of the 33 patients enrolled, 10 patients were enrolled in the phase I portion and a two thirds dose of DeVIC was established as the recommended dose. Twenty-seven patients (range, 21 to 68; median, 56 years) treated with the recommended dose showed the following clinical features: male:female, 17:10; stage IE, 18; stage IIE, 9; B symptoms present, 10; elevated serum lactate dehydrogenase, 5; and PS 2, 2. With a median follow-up of 32 months, the 2-year overall survival was 78% (95% CI, 57% to 89%). This compared favorably with the historical control of radiotherapy alone (45%). Of the 26 patients assessable for a response, 20 (77%) achieved a complete response, with one partial response. The overall response rate was 81%. The most common grade 3 nonhematologic toxicity was mucositis related to radiation (30%). No treatment-related deaths were observed.

Conclusion

Concurrent chemoradiotherapy using multidrug resistance-nonrelated agents and etoposide is a safe and effective treatment for localized nasal NK/T-cell lymphoma and warrants further investigation.

Treatment outcome of radiotherapy alone versus radiochemotherapy in early stage nasal natural killer/T-cell lymphoma

This study aims to investigate the prognostic factors and long-term treatment outcome in patients with early stage nasal natural killer (NK)/T-cell lymphoma. Sixty-four patients were recruited in this study, whose clinical and laboratory data were collected from hospital records. Early stage (stage IE: 51, stage IIE: 13) nasal NK/T-cell lymphoma (NNTCL) was established according to Ann Arbor staging classification. Among these patients, 23 received radiotherapy (RT) alone, the remaining 41 cases were treated with radiochemotherapy (RCT) comprised of 1-6 cycles of anthracycline-based chemotherapeutic regimens. Results show that the median overall survival (OS) time was 41 months. The 5-year OS and progression-free survival rates were 59.2 and 52.3%, respectively. The 5-year OS rate for patients who received RT alone was 57.9%, whereas that for patients who received RCT was 61.5% (P = 0.47). There is no significant difference between two treatment modalities. Multivariate analysis showed that Eastern Cooperative Oncology Group performance status (PS) score > or = 2, local tumor invasion out of nasal cavity, and lower complete remission (CR) rates in the initial treatment were significant unfavorable independent prognostic factors. Taken together, our study suggests that RCT did not improve the survival rate of patients with early stage NNTCL. PS score before treatment, local tumor invasion out of nasal cavity, and CR rate of the primary treatment may be independent prognostic factors among the subtype lymphoma entity.

Lack of Correlation Between P-glycoprotein and Chemotherapy Resistance in Nasal NK/T-cell Lymphomas

Thirty patients with nasal natural killer (NK)/T-cell lymphoma, who underwent systemic chemotherapy with or without involved-field radiotherapy between 1993 and 1998, were retrospectively reviewed to determine the clinical significance of P-glycoprotein immunohistochemically identified in tumor specimens. Eighty percent of previously untreated patients expressed P-glycoprotein. According to P-glycoprotein immunoreactivity, all patients with nasal NK/T-cell lymphoma were divided into 2 groups; (a) P-glycoprotein-negative group (N = 6) and (b) P-glycoprotein-positive group (N = 24). There was no significant difference in clinical profiles between both groups. Regardless of the P-glycoprotein expressions, Epstein-Barr virus genomes were almost identically detected in patients of the 2 groups. Contrary to our expectations, however, P-glycoprotein expressions were not found to be a strong predictor of chemotherapy resistance. Although 2 (33%) of 6 P-glycoprotein-negative patients and 10 (42%) of the 24 P-glycoprotein-positive patients showed a favorable response to systemic chemotherapy, 4 (67%) of 6 P-glycoprotein-negative patients did not achieve complete response (CR) to chemotherapy, which led to an early death, whereas 4 (17%) of the 24 P-glycoprotein-positive patients achieved CR to chemotherapy despite positive P-glycoprotein immunoreactivity. Overall, there were no significant differences in either CR rate or the response rate of patients in the two groups. Overall 5-year actuarial survival and disease-free survival for all patients were 44% and 47%, respectively, but no differences in survival rates were observed between 2 groups. (5-year actuarial survival rate: 33% for the P-glycoprotein-negative, 50% for the P-glycoprotein-positive) (P = 0.7093, log-rank). On univariate and multivariate analyses, P-glycoprotein expressions by immunohistochemical study were not found to be an important prognostic factor. Given these observations, we conclude that the molecular mechanisms of resistance to chemotherapy in nasal NK/T-cell lymphoma patients are not entirely dependent on P-glycoprotein, and that other complex mechanisms of drug action and resistance may be likely to be involved.

Therapeutic outcome of extranodal NK/T-cell lymphoma initially treated with chemotherapy--result of chemotherapy in NK/T-cell lymphoma

The therapeutic outcome of chemotherapy in NK/T cell lymphoma (NTCL) has not been well documented until now. The aims of this study were to investigate the outcome of chemotherapy and to evaluate the clinical factors influencing the responsiveness to chemotherapy. Between 1995 and 2000, 59 patients received anthracycline-based chemotherapy as an initial treatment. Forty-five patients had nasal NTCL, whereas 14 had extranasal NTCL. Forty-one patients had stage I/II and 18 had stage III/IV disease. Epstein-Barr virus status was positive in 67.6% of cases. The results of initial chemotherapy were complete remission in 35.6% of the patients, 2-year disease-free survival in 22.9% and 2-year overall survival in 44.2%. Adjuvant radiotherapy after chemotherapy did not improve outcome in stage I/II nasal NTCL. The International Prognostic Index was a significant prognostic factor of complete remission rate, and stage was also significant for disease-free survival.

Advances in the management and monitoring of extranodal NK/T-cell lymphoma, nasal type

Extranodal natural killer (NK)/T-cell lymphoma, nasal type, has a unique geographic distribution. Its pathology is characterized by marked angio-invasion and tissue necrosis. A typical NK-cell phenotype is usually present: CD2(+), CD3 epsilon+, CD56(+), cytotoxic molecules+ and Epstein-Barr virus (EBV)+. Magnetic Resonance Imaging helps to clearly define the local involvement. Positron Emission Tomography helps to demonstrate system spread. Various prognostic variables (International Prognostic Index or the Korean Prognostic Index) should be documented. This may include quantification of plasma EBV DNA. For localized nasal disease, radiotherapy is important, although chemotherapy is often added. Sustainable remission is observed in over half of these patients. For extra-nasal or disseminated disease, systemic chemotherapy becomes the mainstay and the prognosis is usually poor. Doxorubicin-containing regimens are not entirely satisfactory and L-asparaginase containing regimens are being investigated. Patients with poor prognostic features may be considered for an early autologous haematopoietic stem cell transplant. Allogeneic transplantation is efficacious but is associated with high transplant-related mortality.

First-line ifosfamide, methotrexate, etoposide and prednisolone chemotherapy ± radiotherapy is active in stage I/II extranodal NK/T-cell lymphoma

Although most patients diagnosed with extranodal NK/T-cell lymphoma (NTCL) have localized disease, radiotherapy alone is unsatisfactory because of frequent systemic failure and conventional doxorubicin-based chemotherapy has low efficacy. Twenty-six patients with NTCL received ifosfamide, methotrexate, etoposide and prednisolone (IMEP) chemotherapy as first-line treatment [ifosfamide 1.5 g/m2 (days 1 - 3), methotrexate 30 mg/m2 (days 3 and 10), etoposide 100 mg/m2 (days 1 - 3) and prednisolone 120 mg (days 1 - 5)]. Radiotherapy was administered only to patients with Ann Arbor stage I/II that had not achieved complete remission (CR) or to those that developed local failure after completing chemotherapy. Sixteen patients (group A) had nasal or upper aerodigestive tract localization (stage I/II) and 10 (group B) had extranasal or disseminated disease. Of the 14 evaluable patients in group A, 11 (79%) achieved CR after IMEP alone and 13 (93%) after chemotherapy +/- additional radiotherapy. Although, out of the 11 patients who achieved CR with chemotherapy alone, seven developed recurrence, all recurrences were local failure and successfully treated by additional curative radiotherapy. However, patients in group B responded poorly (CR 13%). IMEP regimen was active in NTCL patients with nasal or upper aerodigestive tract localization. Considering local failure rate after IMEP alone, initial IMEP chemotherapy followed by radiotherapy may be a promising treatment strategy in this subset of NTCL.

Extranodal NK/T-cell lymphoma: diagnosis and treatment cues

Extranodal NK/T-cell lymphoma, nasal type (ENKL) is mostly endemic to East Asia. It predominantly occurs in the nasal or paranasal areas and less frequently in the skin. Most of the tumours show NK-cell, but rarely T-cell, phenotypes. The Epstein-Barr virus (EBV) genome can be usually detected in lymphoma cells. Geographic localization of ENKL matches the endemic distribution of EBV, suggesting that EBV plays an important role in lymphomagenesis. Originally, NK-cell and T-cell types were believed to present the same clinicopathologic characteristics, but recent data suggest more aggressive characteristics for the NK-cell phenotype. Although ENKL is sensitive to radiotherapy, it shows a poorer response to chemotherapeutic agents than other lymphomas due to expression of p-glycoprotein. Therefore, new therapeutic approaches must be considered. Several new clinical trials are now being conducted in East Asia.

Phase I study of dexamethasone, methotrexate, ifosfamide, L-asparaginase, and etoposide (SMILE) chemotherapy for advanced-stage, relapsed or refractory extranodal natural killer (NK)/T-cell lymphoma and leukemia

Extranodal natural killer (NK)/T-cell lymphoma, nasal type, and aggressive NK-cell leukemia are rare, and their standard therapy has not been established. They are Epstein-Barr virus-associated lymphoid malignancies, and tumor cells express P-glycoprotein leading to multidrug resistance of the disease. Patients with stage IV, relapsed or refractory diseases have a dismal prognosis, with survival measured in months only. To develop an efficacious chemotherapeutic regimen, we conducted a dose-escalation feasibility study of a new chemotherapeutic regimen, SMILE, comprising the steroid dexamethasone, methotrexate, ifosfamide, L-asparaginase, and etoposide. The components of SMILE are multidrug resistance-unrelated agents and etoposide. Etoposide shows both in vitro and in vivo efficacy for Epstein-Barr virus-associated lymphoproliferative disorders. Eligible patients had newly diagnosed stage IV, relapsed or refractory diseases after first-line chemotherapy, were 15-69 years of age, and had satisfactory performance scores (0-2). Four dose levels of methotrexate and etoposide were originally planned to be evaluated. At level 1, six patients with extranodal NK/T-cell lymphoma, nasal type, were enrolled. Their disease status was newly diagnosed stage IV (n = 3), first relapse (n = 2), and primary refractory (n = 1). All of the first three patients developed dose-limiting toxicities, and one of them died of sepsis with grade 4 neutropenia. A protocol revision stipulating early granulocyte colony-stimulating factor administration was made. Two out of three additional patients developed dose-limiting toxicities that were all manageable and transient. For the six enrolled patients, the overall response rate was 67% and the complete response rate was 50%. Although its safety and efficacy require further evaluation, we recommend a SMILE chemotherapy dose level of 1 for further clinical studies.

The enhanced expression of the matrix metalloproteinase 9 in nasal NK/T-cell lymphoma

Background

Nasal NK/T cell lymphoma is an aggressive disease and has a poor prognosis. Nasal NK/T cell lymphoma is refractory to conventional chemotherapy and has strong tendency of widespread relapse or dissemination into distant sites.

Methods

We immunohistochemically studied nasal NK/T-cell lymphoma to elucidate the unique characteristics of nasal NK/T-cell lymphoma, such as its higher metastatic tendency and its vast necrosis which leads to destruction of the involved tissues. The expression of P-glycoprotein and MMP-9 was evaluated in the 20 patients with nasal NK/T-cell lymphoma and 25 with nasal non-NK/T-cell lymphoma and the relationship between expression of these proteins and clinical results were analyzed in this report.

Results

Overall 5-year survival rates for patients with nasal NK/T cell lymphoma, and nasal non-NK/T cell lymphoma were 51%, and 84%. Distant involvement free 5-year survival rates for patients with nasal NK/T cell lymphoma, and nasal non-NK/T cell lymphoma were 53%, and 79%.

Overall positivity for P-glycoprotein was observed in 10 of 19 patients with NTL and in 13 of 23 patients with non-NTL. When the overall survival rate was compared between patients with P-glycoprotein positive and negative, there was no difference between them.

Sixteen of the 19 patients with nasal NK/T cell lymphoma expressed MMP-9. In contrast, only 8 of the 22 patients with nasal non-NK/T cell lymphoma expressed MMP-9. Distant involvement free 5-year survival rates for patients with MMP-9 negative, and MMP-9 positive were 92%, and 61%, respectively. The difference was statistically significant (p = 0.027).

Conclusion

Positive immunoreactivity for P-glycoprotein was not an independent prognostic factor in nasal NK/T-cell lymphomas, which stresses the importance of exploring other mechanisms of drug resistance. The strong expression of MMP-9 is uniquely characteristic of nasal NK/T cell lymphoma and may contribute to its strong tendency to disseminatate and the extensive necrosis which is always seen. However, our results are based on univariate comparisons, and as such, should be viewed with some caution.

Treatment outcome of front-line systemic chemotherapy for localized extranodal NK/T cell lymphoma in nasal and upper aerodigestive tract

We analysed the treatment outcome of localized extranodal NK/T cell lymphoma initially treated with CEOP-B chemotherapy based on the primary site of involvement (nasal cavity vs. upper aerodigestive tract) and treatment modality (chemotherapy vs. chemotherapy followed by radiotherapy. Forty-three patients newly diagnosed as extranodal NK/T cell lymphoma were analysed: 29 cases from nasal cavity/nasopharynx and 14 from upper aerodigestive tract. Twenty-six patients were treated with chemotherapy alone, while adjuvant radiotherapy was given to 17 patients. Overall response rate to front-line CEOP-B chemotherapy was 67.4% (29/43) and the complete remission (CR) rate was 44.2% (19/43). Median overall and disease-free survival was 26.87 months [95% confidence interval (CI) = 8.71 - 45.03] and 15.27 months (95% CI = 2.92 - 27.62). The responders (CR or partial response) to initial CEOP-B chemotherapy showed longer overall survival than non-responders (P = 0.0026). Local relapse was observed to be higher in the chemotherapy alone group compared to the chemoradiotherapy group. Adjuvant radiotherapy failed to improve survival; thus, the median disease-free survival of the chemotherapy and chemoradiotherapy groups was not different (P = 0.9101). There may be a tendency for better overall survival in group of upper aerodigestive tract lymphoma than the nasal cavity/nasopharynx group (P = 0.0643). However, front-line CEOP-B chemotherapy has a limited role and adjuvant radiotherapy failed to improve survival in localized extranodal NK/T cell lymphoma.

Clinical significance of cyclooxygenase-2 expression in extranodal natural killer (NK)/T-cell lymphoma, nasal type

PURPOSE

To determine whether there are any differences in therapeutic response, patterns of systemic recurrence, and prognosis of patients with extranodal natural killer (NK)/T-cell lymphoma, nasal type, by the cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2) expression.

PATIENTS AND METHODS

Thirty-four patients with Ann Arbor Stage I and II extranodal NK/T-cell lymphoma who underwent chemotherapy or radiotherapy, or both, were retrospectively reviewed. These patients were divided into two groups according to their immunohistochemical staining for COX-2 expressions: a COX-2-negative group (n = 10 patients) and a COX-2-positive group (n = 24 patients). The treatment response, patterns of treatment failure, and survival data for the patients were compared between the COX-2-positive and negative groups.

RESULTS

There was no significant difference in the clinical profiles between the COX-2-negative and COX-2-positive groups. All patients (100%) in the COX-2-negative group achieved complete response after initial treatment, whereas only 14 patients (58%) in the COX-2-positive group achieved complete response (p = 0.03). Compared with the patients in the COX-2-negative group, those in the COX-2-positive group had a significantly lower 2-year systemic recurrence-free survival rate (100% for the COX-2-negative group vs. 54% for the COX-2-positive group) (p = 0.02) and a decreased 5-year overall survival rate (70% for the COX-2-negative group vs. 32% for the COX-2-positive group) (p = 0.06).

CONCLUSION

Cyclooxygenase-2 expression can serve as a predictive factor for poor treatment response, higher systemic recurrence, and unfavorable prognosis in patients with extranodal NK/T-cell lymphoma, nasal type.

Expression of the granzyme B inhibitor PI9 predicts outcome in nasal NK/T-cell lymphoma: results of a Western series of 48 patients treated with first-line polychemotherapy within the Groupe d'Etude des Lymphomes de l'Adulte (GELA) trials

Nasal NK/T-cell lymphoma is a rare disease entity with a poor outcome. Expression of antiapoptotic proteins has not been extensively investigated in this entity. Forty-eight patients with nasal T/NK-cell lymphoma who received first-line polychemotherapy (n = 44) or chemoradiotherapy (n = 4) were analyzed for expression of active caspase-3 (aC3), granzyme B protease inhibitor 9 (PI9), and Bcl-2 proteins. Lymphomas were CD3+/CD5−/granzyme B+ and EBV-associated. Median age was 46 years. Stage I/II disease was present in 75% of the cases and an International Prognostic Index (IPI) score less than 1 in 65%. With a median follow-up of 6.3 years, 5-year event-free survival (EFS) and overall survival (OS) rates were 39% and 49%, respectively. Apoptotic index was scored as high in 32% of cases and PI9 expression as positive in 68%, whereas 35% disclosed a high number of aC3+ tumor cells. Univariate analysis showed that absence of PI9 and low apoptotic index were associated with poor outcome, but not aC3 expression nor IPI score. By multivariate analysis, both parameters affected independently EFS (P = .02 and .08, respectively) and OS (P = .009 and .04). In view of its constitutive expression by normal NK cells, it is suggested that loss of PI9 expression in tumor cells may reflect some mechanism associated with progression.