Weekly rituximab consolidation following four cycles of R-CHOP induction chemotherapy in very elderly patients with diffuse large B-cell lymphoma: Consortium for improving survival of lymphoma study (CISL)

Association of KIR genes polymorphism and its HLA ligands in Diffuse Large B-cell Lymphoma

INTRODUCTION

Non-Hodgkin lymphoma (NHL) is a heterogeneous disease, with each subtype associated with different risk factors. Within this group, diffuse large B-cell lymphoma (DLBCL) can be highlighted, the most common type of NHL.NK cells are key components of the innate immune response and may play an important antitumor role.

OBJECTIVE

The objective of the present work was to determine the polymorphism of KIR genes in Brazilian patients with DLBCL.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

Furthermore, we evaluated the association between the polymorphism of these genes and their ligands with the clinical course of the disease. For the study, 112 patients with DLBCL and 222 voluntary blood and bone marrow donors. The genetic material of these samples were extracted for KIR and HLA typing, determination of HLA ligands, determination of the KIR haplotype and search for the deletion of 22 bp in the KIR2DS4 gene. KIR genotype distributions were made by direct counting using 2 × 2 contingency tables using Fisher's exact test. The magnitude of the association was measured by odds ratio (OR) and 95% confidence interval. P values <.05 were considered significant. Overall survival and progression-free survival were assessed with a Kaplan-Meier estimator.

RESULTS

In the present study, an association of HLA-Bw4 and HLA-Bw480I ligand was found with more advanced stages of the disease. Also, an association of the KIR2DL3 gene with a better response to treatment was found.

CONCLUSION

With this, we can conclude that the polymorphism of KIR genes and the association with HLA ligands can influence the prognosis of DLBCL, as well as the response to treatment was found. With this, we can conclude that the polymorphism of KIR genes and the association with HLA ligands can influence the prognosis of DLBCL, as well as the response to treatment.Non-Hodgkin lymphoma (NHL) is a heterogeneous disease, with each subtype associated with different risk factors. Within this group, diffuse large B-cell lymphoma (DLBCL) can be highlighted, the most common type of NHL.NK cells are key components of the innate immune response and may play an important antitumor role. The objective of the present work was to determine the polymorphism of KIR genes in Brazilian patients with DLBCL. Furthermore, we evaluated the association between the polymorphism of these genes and their ligands with the clinical course of the disease. For the study, 112 patients with DLBCL and 222 voluntary blood and bone marrow donors. The genetic material of these samples were extracted for KIR and HLA typing, determination of HLA ligands, determination of the KIR haplotype and search for the deletion of 22 bp in the KIR2DS4 gene. KIR genotype distributions were made by direct counting using 2 × 2 contingency tables using Fisher's exact test. The magnitude of the association was measured by odds ratio (OR) and 95% confidence interval. P values <.05 were considered significant. Overall survival and progression-free survival were assessed with a Kaplan-Meier estimator. In the present study, an association of HLA-Bw4 and HLA-Bw480I ligand was found with more advanced stages of the disease. Also, an association of the KIR2DL3 gene with a better response to treatment was found. With this, we can conclude that the polymorphism of KIR genes and the association with HLA ligands can influence the prognosis of DLBCL, as well as the response to treatment was found. With this, we can conclude that the polymorphism of KIR genes and the association with HLA ligands can influence the prognosis of DLBCL, as well as the response to treatment.

Management of elderly patients with malignant lymphoma

More than half of patients with malignant lymphoma are 65 years old or older. The outcome for older patients is poorer than that for younger patients. A poor prognosis is associated with heterogeneity and consists of physical function, performance status, poor nutritional status and various comorbidities. Therefore, attention should be given to serious treatment-related toxicities. Diffuse large B-cell lymphoma is the most frequently diagnosed type of malignant lymphoma. Most patients with diffuse large B-cell lymphoma can be potentially cured with the current standard chemotherapeutic regimen of rituximab, cyclophosphamide, doxorubicin, vincristine and prednisone. However, a reduced-dose regimen of rituximab, cyclophosphamide, doxorubicin, vincristine and prednisone or alternative treatment options might be suitable for older patients who are frail or unfit and have cardiac comorbidities. A comprehensive geriatric assessment is a potential tool for determining an appropriate therapeutic approach for each older patient. Follicular lymphoma is the second most common type of non-Hodgkin lymphoma, and the disease course is usually characterized by an indolent clinical course. Advanced follicular lymphoma with a high tumor burden has historically been treated with chemoimmunotherapy, but the treatment goal for older patients is relief of symptoms. Incorporating novel targeted agents such as brentuximab vedotin into therapies for older Hodgkin lymphoma patients might be a promising alternative to the anthracycline-containing regimen.

Diffuse large B-cell lymphoma in very elderly patients: Towards best tailored treatment - A systematic review

INTRODUCTION

Diffuse large B cell Lymphoma (DLBCL) is a potentially curative lymphoma with increasing incidence with ageing. Treatment of elderly DLBCL patients represents a particular challenge due to their comorbidities and performance status.

METHODS

A search for original articles focused on the treatment of elderly DLBCL patients was performed in PubMed database and 633 were found and reviewed. Thirty-eight studies meeting our inclusion criteria were published since 2007.

RESULTS

Thirteen studies were retrospective and 25 phase II/III clinical trials. Most of them investigated the efficacy of dose-adjusted R-CHOP regimen. Alternative therapeutic drugs together with geriatric assessment were also evaluated. For fit patients aged 80 and over, the strongest evidence favours R-miniCHOP regimen.

CONCLUSION

A dose-adjusted R-CHOP may be the recommended treatment in elderly DLBCL patients. New tools such as the Comprehensive Geriatric Assessment provide useful guidance for treatment choice, based on comorbidities and frailty index of this group.

Treatment approaches for older and oldest patients with diffuse large B-cell lymphoma - Use of non-R-CHOP alternative therapies and impact of comorbidities on treatment choices and outcome: A Humedica database retrospective cohort analysis, 2007-2015

INTRODUCTION

We characterized real-world treatment patterns in older (65-74 years) and oldest (75-85 years) patients with diffuse large B-cell lymphoma (DLBCL) receiving initial therapy (R-CHOP, non-R-CHOP regimens). Impact of comorbidities on treatment choice, and overall and progression-free survival (OS, PFS) were assessed by age.

PATIENTS AND METHODS

Using the Humedica database, we identified 1436 newly diagnosed patients with DLBCL who received frontline therapy from 1/07-9/15. The 885 patients ≥65 years of age were further evaluated for baseline demographics, comorbidities, initial therapy, and PFS/OS.

RESULTS

Of 885 patients, 406 (45.9%) were age 65-74, and 479 (54.1%) age 75-85, years. First line therapy was R-CHOP (61.8%) or non-R-CHOP (38.2%). Although Charlson Comorbidity Index (CCI) scores were similar at baseline, congestive heart failure and myocardial infarction were more common in those receiving non-R-CHOP regimens. Survival outcomes were superior for those receiving initial R-CHOP, versus non-R-CHOP, therapy (median PFS 53.9 versus 27.8 months; two-year PFS 71.2% versus 51.6%, p < .0001; median OS not reached versus 45 months; two-year OS 81.3% versus 62.9%, p < .0001, respectively). Only 10.4% (R-CHOP) and 12.1% (non-R-CHOP) of patients received second line therapies. Two-year OS by age (65-74, 75-85 years) was 66.4% and 39.1%, respectively with R-CHOP (p = .0045), and 74.3% and 54.5%, respectively with non-R-CHOP (p = .004), therapy. Age ≥ 75 years and CCI of 2+ were associated with shorter OS and PFS.

CONCLUSIONS

This study identified real-world first line treatment patterns for older patients with DLBCL. Our findings support the feasibility of administering standard R-CHOP therapy, even to oldest patients with DLBCL.

Front-Line Treatment of High Grade B Cell Non-Hodgkin Lymphoma

PURPOSE OF REVIEW

Rituximab-based chemoimmunotherapy has resulted in a marked improvement in the survival of diffuse large B cell lymphoma (DLBCL). We reflect upon the history front-line (1L) therapy and highlight advances in management.

RECENT FINDINGS

Since the introduction of R-CHOP, the majority of randomized studies in the front-line treatment of DLBCL have failed to show a benefit. Such studies have involved treatment intensification, adding novel agents to the R-CHOP backbone and targeting such novel agents to biologically defined subgroups. R-CHOP therefore remains standard-of-care for most but new insights into the molecular biology of these diseases, and the development of active targeted molecules offers promise for the future. Accumulating evidence in the very elderly suggests dose attenuation does not compromise survival. Intensification in primary mediastinal B cell lymphoma may avoid the need for radiotherapy, but must be balanced against the risks. PET-CT- and ctDNA-based response assessment may now enable response adapted therapy and early prognostication, improving patient selection and potentially outcomes. Novel technologies and therapies in combination with novel molecular diagnostics will likely become the standard-of-care approach for the personalized therapy of DLBCL but need to be proven in well-designed and conducted randomized trials.

[Efficacy of additional two cycles of rituximab administration for patients with diffuse large B-cell lymphoma in first remission]

Objective: To analyze the efficacy of additional two cycles of rituximab administration for Chinese patients with diffuse large B-cell lymphoma (DLBCL) in first complete remission (CR) after six cycles of standard 21-day rituximab plus cyclophosphamide, doxorubicin, vincristine and prednisone (R-CHOP21). Methods: Retrospective analysis was performed in 351 patients with DLBCL diagnosed from March 2003 to March 2012. International Prognosis Index (IPI), Revised (R)-IPI and National Comprehensive Cancer Network (NCCN)-IPI were calculated for each patient. Patients were divided into GCB and non-GCB subtype according to Han's Classification. Progression-free survival (PFS) and overall survival (OS) were analyzed using Kaplan-Meier methods. Results: 282 (80.3%) patients achieved CR and 132 (46.8%) of 282 cases received additional two rituximab therapy. The other 150 (53.2%) patients entered into observation on the intention of the patients. No significant difference was observed in baseline characteristics between the two groups. 3-year estimated PFS for additional rituximab group and observation group were 80.0% and 78.1% (P=0.334), while 3-year estimated OS were 89.7% vs. 86.1% (P=0.452). By subgroup analysis, prolonged PFS were observed in R-IPI low-risk and NCCN-IPI low-risk patients after additional two rituximab cycles. Conclusion: For patients with DLBCL in first remission after standard six cycles of R-CHOP21 regimen, additional two cycles of rituximab maintenance did not significantly improve the general prognosis, but low-risk subgroups of R-IPI and NCCN-IPI could benefit from this regimen.

Frontline treatment of diffuse large B-cell lymphoma in elderly: a systematic review of clinical trials in post-rituximab era

Treatment of diffuse large B cell lymphoma (DLBCL) remains challenging in elderly population and systematic reviews are lacking in this area. Medline and Cochrane Register of Controlled Trials in addition to conference proceedings were searched for therapeutic clinical trials on frontline treatment of DLBCL in adults ≥60 in post-rituximab era. Forty-one out of 713 reviewed papers met our inclusion criteria. Six cycles of rituximab, cyclophosphamide, vincristine, prednisone (R-CHOP) administered every 21 d remain the standard treatment for fit elderly, with no role for maintenance rituximab. For individuals ≥80, the strongest evidence favors rituximab/ofatumumab-miniCHOP. Numerous alternative approaches including the use of liposomal anthracyclines, dose and regimen adjustment to frailty/comorbidity score, brief duration regimens, and consolidative radioimmunotherapy have produced promising outcomes and could be considered for R-CHOP inappropriate elderly. Phase III randomized trials studying the efficacy of liposomal vincristine, extended-exposure rituximab, and lenalidomide plus R-CHOP are ongoing.

A comparison of pectoralis versus lumbar skeletal muscle indices for defining sarcopenia in diffuse large B-cell lymphoma - two are better than one

BACKGROUNDS

Sarcopenia is known to be associated with poor clinical outcome in patients with diffuse large B-cell lymphoma (DLBCL). There is no consensus concerning the optimal method to define sarcopenia in DLBCL.

METHODS

We retrospectively reviewed 193 DLBCL patients treated with rituximab plus cyclophosphamide, doxorubicin, vincristine, and prednisone (R-CHOP) therapy. Sarcopenia was classified by the region where the pretreatment skeletal muscle index (SMI) was measured.

RESULTS

Both the sarcopenia-L3 and sarcopenia-pectoralis muscle (PM) groups had increased incidences of severe treatment-related toxicities and treatment discontinuation compared with the non-sarcopenia-L3 and non-sarcopenia-PM groups, respectively. The sarcopenia-L3 and non-sarcopenia-L3 groups had 5-year overall survival (OS) rates of 40.5% and 67.8% (p < 0.001), respectively. The sarcopenia-PM and non-sarcopenia-PM groups had 5-year OS rates of 35.9% and 69.0% (p < 0.001), respectively. When the sarcopenia-L3 alone and sarcopenia-PM alone groups were compared, there were no differences in baseline characteristics, treatment toxicity, or survival. In multivariate analysis, when compared with the non-sarcopenia-both group, OS was significantly worse in the sarcopenia-both group (HR, 2.480; 95% CI, 1.284 - 4.792; p = 0.007), but not in patients with either sarcopenia-L3 alone or sarcopenia-PM alone (p = 0.151).

CONCLUSIONS

L3- and PM-SMIs are equally useful to define sarcopenia, which is related to intolerance to R-CHOP therapy and to worse survival in patients with DLBCL. More prognostic information can be obtained when these two SMIs are combined to define sarcopenia.

A phase II trial of bendamustine in combination with rituximab in older patients with previously untreated diffuse large B-cell lymphoma

Bendamustine in combination with rituximab (BR) has been associated with high response rates and acceptable toxicity in older patients with relapsed/refractory diffuse large B-cell lymphoma (DLBCL). Evaluation of BR is warranted in the front-line setting for DLBCL patients not eligible for anthracyclines or for the elderly. In this phase II study, we enrolled DLBCL patients aged ≥65 years who were poor candidates for R-CHOP (rituximab, cyclophosphamide, doxorubicin, vincristine, prednisone) to determine the efficacy and safety of BR in previously untreated stage II-IV DLBCL. Twenty-three patients were enrolled with a median age of 80 years. 52% of patients presented with poor functional status (Eastern Cooperative Oncology Group performance score of ≥2). The overall response rate was 78% with 12 complete responses (52%). At a median follow up of 29 months, the median overall survival was 10·2 months and the median progression-free survival was 5·4 months. The most common grade 3/4 adverse events were haematological. Combination therapy with BR demonstrates high response rates as front-line therapy in frail older patients with DLBCL, but survival rates were low. BR should be used with caution in future clinical trials involving older DLBCL patients with poor functional status.

Species differences in tumour responses to cancer chemotherapy

Despite advances in chemotherapy, radiotherapy and targeted drug development, cancer remains a disease of high morbidity and mortality. The treatment of human cancer patients with chemotherapy has become commonplace and accepted over the past 100 years. In recent years, and with a similar incidence of cancer to people, the use of cancer chemotherapy drugs in veterinary patients such as the dog has also become accepted clinical practice. The poor predictability of tumour responses to cancer chemotherapy drugs in rodent models means that the standard drug development pathway is costly, both in terms of money and time, leading to many drugs failing in Phase I and II clinical trials. This has led to the suggestion that naturally occurring cancers in pet dogs may offer an alternative model system to inform rational drug development in human oncology. In this review, we will explore the species variation in tumour responses to conventional chemotherapy and highlight our understanding of the differences in pharmacodynamics, pharmacokinetics and pharmacogenomics between humans and dogs. Finally, we explore the potential hurdles that need to be overcome to gain the greatest value from comparative oncology studies.