Randomized comparison of MACOP-B with CHOP in patients with intermediate-grade non-Hodgkin's lymphoma. The Australian and New Zealand Lymphoma Group

Interventions for mycosis fungoides

BACKGROUND

Mycosis fungoides (MF) is the most common type of cutaneous T-cell lymphoma, a malignant, chronic disease initially affecting the skin. Several therapies are available, which may induce clinical remission for a time. This is an update of a Cochrane Review first published in 2012: we wanted to assess new trials, some of which investigated new interventions.

OBJECTIVES

To assess the effects of interventions for MF in all stages of the disease.

SEARCH METHODS

We updated our searches of the following databases to May 2019: the Cochrane Skin Specialised Register, CENTRAL, MEDLINE, Embase, and LILACS. We searched 2 trials registries for additional references. For adverse event outcomes, we undertook separate searches in MEDLINE in April, July and November 2017.

SELECTION CRITERIA

Randomised controlled trials (RCTs) of local or systemic interventions for MF in adults with any stage of the disease compared with either another local or systemic intervention or with placebo.

DATA COLLECTION AND ANALYSIS

We used standard methodological procedures expected by Cochrane. The primary outcomes were improvement in health-related quality of life as defined by participants, and common adverse effects of the treatments. Key secondary outcomes were complete response (CR), defined as complete disappearance of all clinical evidence of disease, and objective response rate (ORR), defined as proportion of patients with a partial or complete response. We used GRADE to assess the certainty of evidence and considered comparisons of psoralen plus ultraviolet A (PUVA) light treatment as most important because this is first-line treatment for MF in most guidelines.

MAIN RESULTS

This review includes 20 RCTs (1369 participants) covering a wide range of interventions. The following were assessed as either treatments or comparators: imiquimod, peldesine, hypericin, mechlorethamine, nitrogen mustard and intralesional injections of interferon-α (IFN-α) (topical applications); PUVA, extracorporeal photopheresis (ECP: photochemotherapy), and visible light (light applications); acitretin, bexarotene, lenalidomide, methotrexate and vorinostat (oral agents); brentuximab vedotin; denileukin diftitox; mogamulizumab; chemotherapy with cyclophosphamide, doxorubicin, etoposide, and vincristine; a combination of chemotherapy with electron beam radiation; subcutaneous injection of IFN-α; and intramuscular injections of active transfer factor (parenteral systemics). Thirteen trials used an active comparator, five were placebo-controlled, and two compared an active operator to observation only. In 14 trials, participants had MF in clinical stages IA to IIB. All participants were treated in secondary and tertiary care settings, mainly in Europe, North America or Australia. Trials recruited both men and women, with more male participants overall. Trial duration varied from four weeks to 12 months, with one longer-term study lasting more than six years. We judged 16 trials as at high risk of bias in at least one domain, most commonly performance bias (blinding of participants and investigators), attrition bias and reporting bias. None of our key comparisons measured quality of life, and the two studies that did presented no usable data. Eighteen studies reported common adverse effects of the treatments. Adverse effects ranged from mild symptoms to lethal complications depending upon the treatment type. More aggressive treatments like systemic chemotherapy generally resulted in more severe adverse effects. In the included studies, CR rates ranged from 0% to 83% (median 31%), and ORR ranged from 0% to 88% (median 47%). Five trials assessed PUVA treatment, alone or combined, summarised below. There may be little to no difference between intralesional IFN-α and PUVA compared with PUVA alone for 24 to 52 weeks in CR (risk ratio (RR) 1.07, 95% confidence interval (CI) 0.87 to 1.31; 2 trials; 122 participants; low-certainty evidence). Common adverse events and ORR were not measured. One small cross-over trial found once-monthly ECP for six months may be less effective than twice-weekly PUVA for three months, reporting CR in two of eight participants and ORR in six of eight participants after PUVA, compared with no CR or ORR after ECP (very low-certainty evidence). Some participants reported mild nausea after PUVA but no numerical data were given. One participant in the ECP group withdrew due to hypotension. However, we are unsure of the results due to very low-certainty evidence. One trial comparing bexarotene plus PUVA versus PUVA alone for up to 16 weeks reported one case of photosensitivity in the bexarotene plus PUVA group compared to none in the PUVA-alone group (87 participants; low-certainty evidence). There may be little to no difference between bexarotene plus PUVA and PUVA alone in CR (RR 1.41, 95% CI 0.71 to 2.80) and ORR (RR 0.94, 95% CI 0.61 to 1.44) (93 participants; low-certainty evidence). One trial comparing subcutaneous IFN-α injections combined with either acitretin or PUVA for up to 48 weeks or until CR indicated there may be little to no difference in the common IFN-α adverse effect of flu-like symptoms (RR 1.32, 95% CI 0.92 to 1.88; 82 participants). There may be lower CR with IFN-α and acitretin compared with IFN-α and PUVA (RR 0.54, 95% CI 0.35 to 0.84; 82 participants) (both outcomes: low-certainty evidence). This trial did not measure ORR. One trial comparing PUVA maintenance treatment to no maintenance treatment, in participants who had already had CR, did report common adverse effects. However, the distribution was not evaluable. CR and OR were not assessable. The range of treatment options meant that rare adverse effects consequently occurred in a variety of organs.

AUTHORS' CONCLUSIONS

​​There is a lack of high-certainty evidence to support decision making in the treatment of MF. Because of substantial heterogeneity in design, missing data, small sample sizes, and low methodological quality, the comparative safety and efficacy of these interventions cannot be reliably established on the basis of the included RCTs. PUVA is commonly recommended as first-line treatment for MF, and we did not find evidence to challenge this recommendation. There was an absence of evidence to support the use of intralesional IFN-α or bexarotene in people receiving PUVA and an absence of evidence to support the use of acitretin or ECP for treating MF. Future trials should compare the safety and efficacy of treatments to PUVA, as the current standard of care, and should measure quality of life and common adverse effects.

Cardiovascular adverse events in patients with non-Hodgkin lymphoma treated with first-line cyclophosphamide, doxorubicin, vincristine, and prednisone (CHOP) or CHOP with rituximab (R-CHOP): a systematic review and meta-analysis

BACKGROUND

Patients treated for non-Hodgkin lymphoma are at risk of cardiovascular adverse events, with the risk of heart failure being particularly high. A regimen of cyclophosphamide, doxorubicin, vincristine, and prednisone, with (R-CHOP) or without (CHOP) rituximab is the standard first-line treatment for aggressive non-Hodgkin lymphoma, and doxorubicin and cyclophosphamide are both associated with left ventricular dysfunction. The aim of this systematic review and meta-analysis was to evaluate the cardiovascular toxicity of this regimen.

METHODS

We systematically searched PubMed, EMBASE, and the Cochrane Library from database inception to June 3, 2019, for clinical trials and observational studies in adult patients with non-Hodgkin lymphoma (diffuse large B-cell lymphoma, follicular lymphoma, mantle cell lymphoma, peripheral T-cell lymphoma, and non-Hodgkin lymphoma not otherwise specified) that received first-line treatment with R-CHOP or CHOP. Studies reporting on cardiovascular adverse events and treatment-related cardiovascular mortality were included. Abstracts and articles not written in English were excluded. The main outcomes were the proportion of patients with grade 3-4 cardiovascular adverse events and heart failure. Meta-analyses of one-sample proportions were done in all patients receiving CHOP or R-CHOP. Subgroup analyses on summary estimates were done to determine the effect of number of CHOP or R-CHOP cycles, cycle interval, age, and sex.

FINDINGS

Of 2314 identified entries, 137 studies (21 211 patients) published between April, 1984, and June, 2019 were eligible (9541 patients treated with CHOP, 11 293 patients treated with R-CHOP, 377 both regimens used in the study; median follow-up 39·0 months [IQR 25·5-52·8]). From the included studies, 85 subgroups were treated with CHOP, 76 with R-CHOP, and in four studies both CHOP and R-CHOP were used without a subdivision in separate groups. The pooled proportion for grade 3-4 cardiovascular adverse events, based on 77 studies (n=14 351 patients), was 2·35% (95% CI 1·81-2·93; heterogeneity test Q=326·21; τ²=0·0042; I²=71·40%; p<0·0001). For heart failure, the pooled proportion, based on 38 studies (n=5936 patients), was 4·62% (2·25-7·65; heterogeneity test Q=527·33; τ²=0·0384; I²=95·05%; p<0·0001), with a significant increase in reported heart failure from 1·64% (95% CI 0·82-2·65) to 11·72% (3·00-24·53) when cardiac function was evaluated post-chemotherapy (p=0·017). 53 (39%) of 137 studies were rated as having high risk of bias for incomplete outcome data and 54 (39%) for selective reporting.

INTERPRETATION

The considerable increase of reported heart failures with cardiac monitoring, indicates that this complication often remains undiagnosed in patients with non-Hodgkin lymphoma who received first-line R-CHOP or CHOP. Our findings are of importance to raise awareness of this complication among clinicians treating patients with non-Hodgkin lymphoma and stresses the need for cardiac monitoring during and after chemotherapy. Prompt initiation of treatment for heart failure in the presymptomatic phase can mitigate the progression to more advanced heart failure stages.

FUNDING

None.

Lenalidomide Combined With R-CHOP Overcomes Negative Prognostic Impact of Non–Germinal Center B-Cell Phenotype in Newly Diagnosed Diffuse Large B-Cell Lymphoma: A Phase II Study

Purpose

Lenalidomide has significant single-agent activity in relapsed diffuse large B-cell lymphoma (DLBCL). We demonstrated that lenalidomide can be safely combined with R-CHOP (rituximab plus cyclophosphamide, doxorubicin, vincristine, and prednisone); this new combination is known as R2CHOP. The goal of this phase II study was to evaluate the efficacy of this combination in newly diagnosed DLBCL.

Patients and Methods

Eligible patients were adults with newly diagnosed untreated stages II to IV CD20+ DLBCL. Patients received lenalidomide 25 mg orally per day on days 1 through 10 with standard-dose R-CHOP every 21 days for six cycles. All patients received pegfilgrastim on day 2 of each cycle and aspirin prophylaxis throughout. DLBCL molecular subtype was determined by tumor immunohistochemistry and classified as germinal center B-cell (GCB) versus non-GCB in the R2CHOP patients and 87 control patients with DLBCL from the Lymphoma Database who were treated with conventional R-CHOP.

Results

In all, 64 patients with DLBCL were enrolled, and 60 were evaluable for response. The overall response rate was 98% (59 of 60) with 80% (48 of 60) achieving complete response. Event-free survival and overall survival (OS) rates at 24 months were 59% (95% CI, 48% to 74%) and 78% (95% CI, 68% to 90%), respectively. In R-CHOP patients, 24-month progression-free survival (PFS) and OS were 28% versus 64% (P < .001) and 46% versus 78% (P < .001) in non-GCB DLBCL versus GCB DLBCL, respectively. In contrast, there was no difference in 24-month PFS or OS for R2CHOP patients on the basis of non-GCB and GCB subtype (60% v 59% [P = .83] and 83% v 75% [P = .61] at 2 years, respectively).

Conclusion

R2CHOP shows promising efficacy in DLBCL. The addition of lenalidomide appears to mitigate a negative impact of non-GCB phenotype on patient outcome.

A phase III randomized trial of high-dose CEOP + filgrastim versus standard-dose CEOP in patients with non-Hodgkin lymphoma: 10-year follow-up data: Australasian Leukaemia and Lymphoma Group (ALLG) NHL07 trial

Increasing dose intensity (DI) of chemotherapy for patients with aggressive non-Hodgkin lymphoma (NHL) may improve outcomes at the cost of increased toxicity. This issue was addressed in a randomized trial aiming to double the DI of myelosuppressive drugs. Between 1994 and 1999, 250 patients with previously untreated aggressive NHL were randomized to treatment with six cycles of 3-weekly standard (s) or intensive (i) chemotherapy: s-CEOP-cyclophosphamide 750, epirubicin 75, vincristine 1.4 mg/m(2) all on day 1, and prednisolone 100 mg days 1-5; i-CEOP-cyclophosphamide 1,500, epirubicin 150, vincristine 1.4 mg/m(2) all on day 1, and prednisolone 100 mg days 1-5. Primary endpoint was 5-year overall survival (OS). Relative to s-CEOP patients, i-CEOP patients achieved a 78% increase in the DI of cyclophosphamide and epirubicin. Despite this, there was no significant difference in any outcome: 5-year OS (56.7% i-CEOP; 55.1% s-CEOP; P = 0.80), 5-year progression free survival (PFS; 41% i-CEOP; 43% s-CEOP; P = 0.73), 5-year time to progression (TTP; 44% i-CEOP; 47% s-CEOP; P = 0.72), or complete remission (CR) + unconfirmed CR (CRu) rates (53% i-CEOP; 59% s-CEOP; P = 0.64). Long-term follow up at 10 years also showed no significant differences in OS, PFS, or TTP. The i-CEOP arm had higher rates of febrile neutropenia (70 vs. 26%), hospitalisations, blood product utilisation, haematological and gastrointestinal toxicities, and lower quality of life scores during treatment, although without significant differences 6-month later. In the treatment of aggressive NHL in the prerituximab era, increasing DI did not result in improved outcomes, while at the same time lead to increased toxicity.

Interventions for mycosis fungoides

BACKGROUND

Mycosis fungoides is the most common type of cutaneous T-cell lymphoma, a malignant, chronic disease initially affecting the skin. Several therapies are available, which may induce clinical remission for a time.

OBJECTIVES

To assess the effects of interventions for mycosis fungoides in all stages of the disease.

SEARCH METHODS

We searched the following databases up to January 2011: the Cochrane Skin Group Specialised Register, CENTRAL in The Cochrane Library, MEDLINE (from 2005), EMBASE (from 2010), and LILACS (from 1982). We also checked reference lists of included studies for further references to relevant RCTs. We searched online trials registries for further references to unpublished trials and undertook a separate search for adverse effects of interventions for mycosis fungoides in non-RCTs in MEDLINE in May 2011.

SELECTION CRITERIA

Randomised controlled trials (RCTs) of interventions for mycosis fungoides in people with any stage of the disease. At least 90% of participants in the trials must have been diagnosed with mycosis fungoides (Alibert-Bazin-type).

DATA COLLECTION AND ANALYSIS

Two authors independently assessed eligibility and methodological quality for each study and carried out data extraction. We resolved any disagreement by discussion. Primary outcomes were the impact on quality of life and the safety of interventions. When available, we reported on our secondary outcomes, which were the improvement or clearance of skin lesions, disease-free intervals, survival rates, relapse rates, and rare adverse effects. When possible, we combined homogeneous studies for meta-analysis. We used The Cochrane Collaboration's 'Risk of bias' tool to assess the internal validity of all included studies in six different domains.

MAIN RESULTS

The review included 14 RCTs involving 675 participants, covering a wide range of interventions. Eleven of the included trials assessed participants in clinical stages IA to IIB only (please see Table 1 for definitions of these stages).Internal validity was considerably low in studies with a high or unclear risk of bias. The main reasons for this were low methodological quality or missing data, even after we contacted the study authors, and a mean dropout rate of 26% (0% to 72%). Study size was generally small with a minimum of 4 and a maximum of 103 participants. Only one study provided a long enough follow-up for reliable survival analysis.Included studies assessed topical treatments, such as imiquimod, peldesine, hypericin, nitrogen mustard, as well as intralesional injections of interferon-α (IFN-α). The light therapies investigated included psoralen plus ultraviolet A light (PUVA), extracorporeal photopheresis (photochemotherapy), and visible light. Oral treatments included acitretin, bexarotene, and methotrexate. Treatment with parenteral systemic agents consisted of denileukin diftitox; a combination of chemotherapy and electron beam radiation; and intramuscular injections of active transfer factor. Nine studies evaluated therapies by using an active comparator; five were placebo-controlled RCTs.Twelve studies reported on common adverse effects, while only two assessed quality of life. None of these studies compared the health-related quality of life of participants undergoing different treatments. Most of the reported adverse effects were attributed to the interventions. Systemic treatments, and here in particular a combined therapeutic regimen of chemotherapy and electron beam, bexarotene, or denileukin diftitox, showed more adverse effects than topical or skin-directed treatments.In the included studies, clearance rates ranged from 0% to 83%, and improvement ranged from 0% to 88%. The meta-analysis combining the results of 2 trials comparing the effect of IFN-α and PUVA versus PUVA alone showed no significant difference in the relative risk of clearance: 1.07 (95% confidence interval 0.87 to 1.31). None of the included studies demonstrated a significant increase in disease-free intervals, relapse, or overall survival.

AUTHORS' CONCLUSIONS

This review identified trial evidence for a range of different topical and systemic interventions for mycosis fungoides. Because of substantial heterogeneity in design, small sample sizes, and low methodological quality, the comparative safety and efficacy of these interventions cannot be established on the basis of the included RCTs. Taking into account the possible serious adverse effects and the limited availability of efficacy data, topical and skin-directed treatments are recommended first, especially in the early stages of disease. More aggressive therapeutic regimens may show improvement or clearance of lesions, but they also result in more adverse effects; therefore, they are to be considered with caution. Larger studies with comparable, clearly-defined end points for all stages of mycosis fungoides, and a focus on safety, quality of life, and duration of remission as part of the outcome measures, are necessary.

Preclinical imaging of therapy response using metabolic and apoptosis molecular imaging

PURPOSE

Early after therapy, 2-deoxy-2-[(18)F]fluoro-D-glucose ([(18)F]FDG) imaging is not always reliable due to the influx of inflammatory cells while apoptosis imaging offers a direct and early measurement of therapy effects. This study uses an improved apoptosis probe ((99m)Tc-hAnxA5) in combination with [(18)F]FDG imaging to evaluate therapy response.

PROCEDURES

Daudi tumor tissue was implanted in the spleen of SCID mice. Treatment was performed with adriamycin and cyclophosphamide. Sequential [(18)F]FDG-positron emission tomography (PET) was acquired over 6 days and (99m)Tc-hAnxA5-SPECT was performed before and 1 day after therapy.

RESULTS

On day 1, therapy induced apoptosis was visualized with (99m)Tc-hAnxA5 without a measurable change in [(18)F]FDG uptake. [(18)F]FDG uptake decreased significantly on day 3 and was even more pronounced on day 6.

CONCLUSION

In this preclinical model, (99m)Tc-hAnxA5 imaging was able to detect apoptosis before metabolic changes were measured. These results confirm the value of apoptosis imaging for therapy response and give more insight in [(18)F]FDG imaging and its parameters to evaluate response.

Lenalidomide can be safely combined with R-CHOP (R2CHOP) in the initial chemotherapy for aggressive B-cell lymphomas: phase I study

Lenalidomide was shown to have significant single-agent activity in relapsed aggressive non-Hodgkin's lymphoma (NHL). We conducted a phase I trial to establish the maximum tolerated dose of lenalidomide that could be combined with R-CHOP (rituximab-cyclophosphamide, doxorubicin, vincristine, and prednisone). Eligible patients were adults with newly diagnosed, untreated CD20 positive diffuse large cell or follicular grade III NHL. Patients received oral lenalidomide on days 1-10 with standard dose R-CHOP every 21 days. All patients received pegfilgrastim on day 2 of the cycle and aspirin prophylaxis. The lenalidomide dose levels tested were 15, 20 and 25 mg. A total of 24 patients were enrolled. The median age was 65 (35-82) years and 54% were over 60 years. Three patients received 15 mg, 3 received 20 mg and 18 received 25 mg of lenalidomide. No dose limiting toxicity was found, and 25 mg on days 1-10 is the recommended dose for phase II. The incidence of grade IV neutropenia and thrombocytopenia was 67% and 21%, respectively. Febrile neutropenia was rare (4%) and there were no toxic deaths. The overall response rate was 100% with a complete response rate of 77%. Lenalidomide at the dose of 25 mg/day administered on days 1 to 10 of 21-day cycle can be safely combined with R-CHOP in the initial chemotherapy of aggressive B-cell lymphoma.

High dose intensity doxorubicin in aggressive non-Hodgkin's lymphoma: a literature-based meta-analysis

BACKGROUND

Aggressive non-Hodgkin's lymphoma (NHL) represents approximately 60% of lymphomas in the West and even more in the developing world. cyclophosphamide, doxorubicin, vincristine and prednisone (CHOP) is recognized as the standard chemotherapy regimen and the addition of rituximab to B-cell subtypes has been shown to significantly improve treatment outcomes. Nevertheless, still a significant fraction of patients is not offered rituximab due to economic reasons. Thus, CHOP is still offered to these patients as well as those with T-cell subtypes. Data from the early 1990s have indicated that the dose intensity (DI) of doxorubicin is a key factor in predicting survival.

METHODS

A Medline and Cochrane library search was carried out using the search terms 'CHOP', 'lymphoma' and 'randomized trials'. Eligible trials had CHOP as a control arm and any regimen administering doxorubicin at a higher DI (16.6 mg/m(2)/week) as the investigational arm. Pooling of data was carried out using the mixed effect model.

RESULTS

Eight trials were eligible. Patients receiving DI doxorubicin-based regimens had a significantly better overall survival [summary hazard ratio (SHR) 0.82; 95% confidence interval (CI) 0.71-0.96], event-free survival (SHR 0.86; 95% CI 0.75-0.99) and higher complete response rate (summary odds ratio 0.91; 95% CI 0.67-0.97).

CONCLUSION

High DI doxorubicin based should be considered in patients with aggressive NHL.

High-dose chemotherapy with autologous stem cell transplantation in the first line treatment of aggressive non-Hodgkin lymphoma (NHL) in adults

BACKGROUND

High-dose chemotherapy with autologous stem cell support (HDT) has been proven effective in relapsed aggressive non-Hodgkin lymphoma (NHL). However, conflicting results of HDT as part of first-line treatment have been reported in randomised controlled trials (RCTs). We undertook a systematic review and meta-analysis to assess the effects of such treatment.

OBJECTIVES

To determine whether high-dose chemotherapy with autologous stem cell transplantation as part of first-line treatment improves survival in patients with aggressive non-Hodgkin lymphoma.

SEARCH STRATEGY

MEDLINE, EMBASE, Cancer Lit, the Cochrane Library and smaller databases, Internet-databases of ongoing trials, conference proceedings of the American Society of Clinical Oncology and the American Society of Hematology were searched. We included full-text, abstract publications and unpublished data.

SELECTION CRITERIA

Randomised controlled trials comparing conventional chemotherapy versus high-dose chemotherapy in the first-line treatment of adults with aggressive non-Hodgkin lymphoma were included in this review.

DATA COLLECTION AND ANALYSIS

Eligibility and quality assessment, data extraction and analysis were done in duplicate. All authors were contacted to obtain missing data and asked to provide individual patient data.

MAIN RESULTS

Fifteen RCTs including 3079 patients were eligible for this meta-analysis. Overall treatment-related mortality was 6.0% in the HDT group and not significantly different compared to conventional chemotherapy (OR 1.33 [95% CI 0.91 to 1.93], P=0.14). 13 studies including 2018 patients showed significantly higher CR rates in the group receiving HDT (OR 1.32, [95% CI 1.09 to 1.59], P=0.004). However, HDT did not have an effect on OS, when compared to conventional chemotherapy. The pooled HR was 1.04 ([95% CI 0.91 to 1.18], P=0.58). There was no statistical heterogeneity among the trials. Sensitivity analyses underlined the robustness of these results. Subgroup analysis of prognostic groups according to IPI did not show any survival difference between HDT and controls in 12 trials (low and low-intermediate risk IPI: HR 1.41[95% CI 0.95 to 2.10], P=0.09; high-intermediate and high risk IPI: HR 0.97 [95% CI 0.83 to 1.13], P=0.71. Event-free survival (EFS) also showed no significant difference between HDT and CT (HR 0.93, [95% CI 0.81 to 1.07], P=0.31). Other possible risk factors such as the proportion of patient with diffuse large cell lymphoma, protocol adherence, HDT strategy, response status before HDT, conditioning regimens and methodological issues were analysed in sensitivity analyses. However, there was no evidence for an association between these factors and the results of our analyses.

AUTHORS' CONCLUSIONS

. Despite higher CR rates, there is no benefit for high-dose chemotherapy with stem cell transplantation as a first line treatment in patients with aggressive NHL.

Diffuse large B-cell lymphoma

Diffuse large B-cell lymphoma (DLBCL) is one of the most common subtypes of non-Hodgkin lymphoma. It is a heterogeneous disease, and a distinctive subgroup of patients with different treatment outcome can be identified based on clinical and molecular prognostic factors. Cyclophosphamide, doxorubicin, vincristine, and prednisone (CHOP) chemotherapy has been the standard systemic therapy for this disease with a cure rate of 40% to 50%, although, more recently, the addition of rituximab has been shown in phase III trials to confer a significant survival benefit in both older and younger patients. To further improve on the treatment outcome of this disease, dose-dense, and/or dose-intense regimens have been developed and tested against CHOP. However, these regimens are not yet accepted as standard therapy because of the increased toxicity as well as the uncertain benefit over CHOP with rituximab. In patients with localized DLBCL, available randomized trials suggest that radiation therapy improves local control and disease-free survival and that the addition of radiation therapy cannot replace inadequate chemotherapy.

A pilot study of epratuzumab and rituximab in combination with cyclophosphamide, doxorubicin, vincristine, and prednisone chemotherapy in patients with previously untreated, diffuse large B-cell lymphoma

BACKGROUND

In this pilot study, the authors assessed the feasibility of combination epratuzumab and rituximab plus cyclophosphamide, doxorubicin, vincristine, and prednisone (ER-CHOP) in patients with newly diagnosed diffuse large B-cell lymphoma (DLBCL).

METHODS

Patients received chemotherapy on the following schedule: epratuzumab 360 mg/m2, rituximab 375 mg/m2, and standard-dose CHOP every 3 weeks for 6 to 8 cycles. The primary endpoint was the incidence of grade 4 neutropenia and grade 3 or 4 antibody infusional toxicity. Secondary endpoints were the complete response (CR) rate, the overall response rate (ORR), and progression-free survival (PFS). Weekly blood counts were obtained to monitor hematologic toxicity. Fifteen patients were enrolled and treated. Baseline patient characteristics included a median age of 63 years (range, 42-78 years), 60% of patients had stage III or IV disease, 7 patients had a low-risk International Prognostic Index (IPI) score (0 or 1), 7 patients had an intermediate-risk IPI score (2 or 3), and 1 patient was high risk.

RESULTS

Grade 3 or 4 neutropenia was observed in 14 patients (93%) or in 28 of 92 treatment cycles (30%). Three patients developed grade > or =3 infection or fever. Eleven patients (73%) required dose reductions. No grade 3 antibody infusion-related toxicity was reported. Thirteen of 15 patients responded (ORR, 87%,), including 10 CRs (67%), 3 partial responses (20%), 1 patient with stable disease, and 1 patient with disease progression. At a median follow-up of 30 months, 13 of 15 patients remained alive. The 1-year PFS and OS rates were 93% and 100%, respectively; and the 2-year PFS and OS rates were 86% and 86%, respectively.

CONCLUSIONS

ER-CHOP every 21 days was feasible as treatment for newly diagnosed patients with DLBCL. A Phase II multicenter study is underway.

Pegfilgrastim to support CHOP-14 in elderly patients with non-Hodgkin's lymphoma

This study investigated whether pegfilgrastim support would enable on-schedule delivery of dose-dense cyclophosphamide, doxorubicin, vincristine and prednisone (CHOP-14) to elderly patients with non-Hodgkin's lymphoma (NHL). Thirty patients 60 years of age and older with aggressive NHL were evaluated after receiving up to six cycles of CHOP-14 supported with pegfilgrastim. The median age was 68 years (range 61 - 74). Forty-seven per cent of patients received full dose chemotherapy on schedule for all cycles (range 65 - 93). Chemotherapy was delayed in 10 patients and dose reduced in 15 patients. Hematological toxicity was the most common reason for delays and dose reduction. Six of nine patients (67%) achieved a peripheral blood CD34+ count of at least 20 cellsx106 L-1 on day 12 of cycle one. The delivery on schedule of dose-dense CHOP-14 to elderly patients with previously untreated aggressive NHL is safe and efficacious with once per cycle pegfilgrastim support.

Dose-dense chemotherapy for aggressive non-Hodgkin lymphoma

Non-Hodgkin lymphoma is a heterogeneous disease that represents the seventh leading cause of cancer death. Second-generation and third-generation chemotherapy regimens have only produced a marginal improvement in outcome over the administration of the cyclophosphamide, doxorubicin, vincristine, and prednisone regimen in aggressive forms of non-Hodgkin lymphoma. This has led to the development of different strategies for improving disease-free and overall survival in this disease. Dose intensification achieved by condensing the intervals between each chemotherapy cycle is possible with granulocyte colony-stimulating factor support, which reduces neutropenia and its complications. Clinical trials indicate that this strategy may improve the outcomes in patients with aggressive non-Hodgkin lymphoma, particularly elderly patients. Nurses can play a major role in the implementation of evidence-based supportive care strategies in clinical practice to ensure safe use of dose-dense chemotherapy regimens.

The prognostic impact of bone marrow involvement in patients with diffuse large cell lymphoma varies according to the degree of infiltration and presence of discordant marrow involvement

BACKGROUND

The prognostic significance of marrow involvement in diffuse large cell lymphoma (DLCL) is controversial. Factors that that have been reported to influence prognosis include the pattern and extent of marrow infiltration and histological discordance between the primary site and the bone marrow.

METHODS

Bone marrow biopsies from 172 patients with newly diagnosed DLCL entered in two consecutive trials of the Australasian Leukaemia and Lymphoma Group were analyzed. Progression-free (PFS) and overall survival (OS) were calculated according to the absence or presence of bone marrow involvement (BMI), the extent of lymphomatous infiltration and the presence of histological discordance between the primary site and the bone marrow.

RESULTS

Of 172 patients with DLCL accrued between 1982 and 1990, who were treated with CHOP or CHOP-like regimens, 47 (27%) demonstrated marrow involvement on examination of multiple levels. Seventy two percent (34/47) of patients had discordant marrow involvement (<50% large cells) and 28 had minimal (<10%) involvement; these latter patients with minimal marrow involvement (<10%) had similar PFS & OS to the 113 patients without involvement. Within the group of 47 patients with marrow involvement, an increasing percentage of BM involvement was significantly associated with an increasing percentage of concordant histology and a decreasing PFS & OS.

CONCLUSIONS

Minimal BMI, seen in the majority of patients with DLCL with marrow infiltration, appears not to influence the PFS & OS. However, an increasing degree of marrow involvement is associated with an increasing component of large cells and a poorer prognosis in DLCL patients, independent of other risk factors.

The length of treatment of aggressive non-Hodgkin's lymphomas established according to the international prognostic index score: long-term results of the GISL LA03 study

OBJECTIVES

To compare two different schedules of two different anthracycline-containing regimens, where length of treatment is modulated according to the international prognostic index (IPI) in patients with aggressive non-Hodgkin's Lymphoma (NHL).

METHODS

In 1993 the Gruppo Italiano per lo Studio dei Linfomi (GISL) started a randomized 2 x 2 factorial phase III clinical trial for patients with newly diagnosed aggressive NHL comparing ProME(Epidoxorubicin)CE-CytaBOM (PE-C) to ProMI(Idarubicin)CE-CytaBOM (PI-C) and a fixed to a flexible treatment schedule where anthracycline dose was to be modulated according to observed hematological toxicity. Patients with low or low-intermediate IPI (IPI 0-2) and those with intermediate-high or high IPI (IPI 3-5) should receive six or eight courses, respectively. Involved-field radiotherapy was allowed for patients with initial bulky disease or with residual masses.

RESULTS

Three hundred and fifty-six patients were registered into the study and randomized. Patients were well balanced among the four study arms in terms of clinical characteristics and prognostic factors. Three hundred and forty-five patients were available for evaluation of study endpoints. At the end of induction therapy complete remission rate was 61%, 5-year failure-free survival (FFS) rate was 40% and 5-year overall survival (OS) rate was 59%; no differences were observed according to treatment arms. Patients in the flexible arm received higher dose intensity of anthracycline (P < 0.001) with no apparent increase in toxicity. However, the flexible schedule was not superior to the fixed one. Patients with IPI 3-5 showed lower response rates (45% vs. 67%: P < 0.0001) and lower 5-year FFS (29% vs. 45%: P < 0.0001) compared to those with IPI 0-2.

CONCLUSIONS

six courses of fixed or flexible PE-C or PI-C can determine a promising success rate in patients with advanced aggressive NHL with IPI 0-2, whereas the same regimens are less effective in patients with IPI 3-5, even if two additional courses are delivered. For the latter group of patients innovative approaches are warranted.

Combination chemotherapy with adriamycin, cyclophosphamide, vincristine, methotrexate, etoposide and dexamethasone (ACOMED) followed by involved field radiotherapy induces high remission rates and durable long-term survival in patients with aggressive malignant non-Hodgkin's lymphomas: long-term follow-up of a pilot study

The aim of the present study was to evaluate the feasibility and efficacy of the intensified induction chemotherapy regimen ACOMED for patients with aggressive non-Hodgkin's lymphoma (NHL). Untreated adult patients with aggressive NHL, presenting with Ann Arbour stage II-IV disease or stage I with bulky disease, and with at least one of the following risk factors: age > 60 years, advanced disease, elevated serum lactate dehydrogenase level, Eastern Cooperative Oncology Group (ECOG) performance status >or= 2, presence of extranodal sites of disease and bulky disease, were treated with the ACOMED regimen consisting of 4-6 cycles of adriamycin 25 mg/m(2) i.v. on days 4-5, cyclophosphamide 250 mg/m(2) i.v. on days 1-5, vincristine 2 mg i.v. absolute on day 1, methotrexate 500 mg/m(2) i.v. on day 1 with leucovorin-rescue after 24 h 30 mg/m(2) i.v. and 3 x 15 mg p.o., etoposide 100 mg/m(2) i.v. on days 3-5, dexamethasone 10 mg/m(2) p.o. on days 1-5 and granulocyte colony-stimulating factor support, repeated on day 21. Twenty-two patients were treated within this study at a single center. After 4-6 cycles of ACOMED followed by additional involved field radiotherapy in 18 patients, the complete and overall response rates were 86% (19 of 22 patients) and 95% (21 of 22 patients), respectively. After a median observation time of 10 years and 2 months, 16/22 (73%) patients are alive in continuous complete response without evidence of any late toxicities. ACOMED followed by involved field radiation presents a highly effective regimen for remission induction and long-term survival in patients with aggressive NHL, and merits further investigation.

Advances in the biology and therapy of diffuse large B-cell lymphoma: moving toward a molecularly targeted approach

Diffuse large B-cell lymphoma (DLBCL) displays striking heterogeneity at the clinical, genetic, and molecular levels. Clinical prognostic models can define a population at high risk for relapse following empiric chemotherapy, although such models do not account for underlying biologic differences among tumors. Commonly observed genetic abnormalities that likely contribute to pathogenesis include translocations of BCL6, BCL2, cMYC, and FAS(CD95) mutations, and aberrant somatic hypermutation. Despite recent advances in empiric chemotherapy, including interval reduction of CHOP (cyclophosphamide, doxorubicin, vincristine, prednisone) and the incorporation of anti-CD20 monoclonal antibodies, a significant proportion of patients still die of their disease. Gene expression profiling has shed light on the molecular heterogeneity within DLBCL by highlighting similarities between subsets of tumors and normal B cells, identifying features associated with unfavorable responses to empiric combination chemotherapy, and defining robust subtypes with comprehensive transcriptional signatures. Such strategies have suggested distinct routes to lymphomagenesis and have identified promising rational therapeutic targets. Additional novel therapies under investigation include those targeting BCL6 and BCL2, as well as development of novel monoclonal antibody-based therapies. Our increasing molecular understanding of the heterogeneous subsets within DLBCL will likely improve the current empiric therapy of DLBCL by identifying rational therapeutic targets in specific disease subtypes.

A randomized controlled trial investigating the survival benefit of dose-intensified multidrug combination chemotherapy (LSG9) for intermediate- or high-grade non-Hodgkin's lymphoma: Japan Clinical Oncology Group Study 9002

The effect of enhancing the dose intensity (DI) of the key drugs in multidrug combination chemotherapy for malignant lymphoma is uncertain. We investigated the survival benefit of dose-intensified multidrug combination chemotherapy for intermediate- or high-grade non-Hodgkin's lymphoma (NHL). Patients without any prior chemotherapy were randomly assigned either to dose-intensified multidrug combination chemotherapy, LSG9 (VEPA-B/FEPP-AB/M-FEPA, treated 3 times every 10 weeks for 28 weeks total), or to control-arm combination chemotherapy, mLSG4 (VEPA-B/FEPP-B/M-FEPA, treated 4 times every 14 weeks for 54 weeks total). The planned DI of doxorubicin and cyclophosphamide were 1.96 and 1.47 times higher, respectively, in LSG9 than in mLSG4. Overall survival, complete response (CR) rate, and toxicities were evaluated. The 447 patients (230 for LSG9 and 217 for mLSG4) were enrolled between February 1991 and March 1995. The 5-year overall survival rates were 56.8% for LSG9 patients and 55.1% for mLSG4 patients (log-rank P = .42). The rates for CR plus uncertain CR were 70.0% for LSG9 and 64.5% for mLSG4. The toxicities of both regimens were similar and tolerable. The median actual DI of doxorubicin and cyclophosphamide were 1.56 and 1.17 times higher, respectively, in LSG9 than in mLSG4. Compared with the control regimen mLSG4, the dose-intensified regimen LSG9 did not show significant survival benefit. An increase in the DI of doxorubicin in multidrug combination chemotherapy did not improve the survival of patients with intermediate- or high-grade NHL.

Current treatment options in aggressive lymphoma

The overall percentage of patients achieving long-term remissions in aggressive non-Hodgkin's lymphoma (NHL) using CHOP or CHOP-based primary chemotherapy is only 40%. Much effort has therefore been concentrated on developing strategies to improve this figure. More intensive variants of CHOP chemotherapy, such as multi-agent "third-generation" regimens, have failed to improve long-term survival, and are also associated with increased toxicity. Hence, there is a need for improved treatment regimens, both as primary therapy and for patients in first and subsequent relapse. This need is most acute in elderly patients (> 60 years of age), who comprise more than 50% of NHL cases and who may not be able to tolerate subsequent intensive chemotherapy at relapse. Approaches currently being examined to improve outcome include: the use of clinical, histological and molecular prognostic factors to establish a patient's risk group, and so define those patients most likely to benefit from early aggressive therapy; the inclusion of high-dose therapy and autologous transplantation; and the integration of novel therapies, such as immunotherapy and radioimmunotherapy, into existing treatment strategies. The impact of these approaches on the treatment of diffuse, large B-cell lymphoma and mantle cell lymphoma is discussed below.

Treatment of Non-Hodgkin's Lymphomas in Elderly Patients

The roles of evolving treatment strategies for non-Hodgkin's lymphomas (NHL) in elderly patients are still not well defined and their effects on the overall epidemiology of the disease are still not clear. Three questions arise when discussing the management of NHL in elderly patients. First, should older patients be treated with the same regimens usually administered to younger patients? Second, are health outcomes of elderly patients similar to those usually observed in young patients, particularly response rate and overall survival? Third, which strategies should be adopted to improve overall health outcomes? Periodic review of the literature and updated data on the management of NHL in elderly patients may provide an answer to all these queries. In essence, older patients must be treated with the same intensive approaches that are usually reserved for younger patients. The results reported in randomized controlled clinical trials are consistent with the capability of older patients to exhibit overall response rate, event-free survival, and overall survival similar to those observed in their younger counterparts. Combining chemotherapy and monoclonal antibodies seems to be the main optional strategy for better outcomes in elderly patients. In contrast, knowledge concerning the management of indolent lymphomas in elderly patients is still lacking, and available clinical data are limited in this setting, especially in patients with poor prognostic factors who may need an immediate therapeutic intervention.

The clinical impact of expert pathological review on lymphoma management: a regional experience

The All Wales Lymphoma Panel (AWLP) was established in January 1998 to provide a central expert pathological review service for district general hospital pathologists. A discordance rate of 20% between the submitted and reviewed diagnosis has previously been identified. It has not been known whether this change in diagnosis affects clinical management. Ninety-nine patients whose diagnosis was changed as a result of central pathological review are presented. Between January 1998 and August 2000, 125 of 745 (17%) specimens submitted for AWLP review had a consequent change in pathological diagnosis. Of these 125 specimens, 99 (79%) complete case notes were recovered. In all 99 cases, a hypothetical management plan was generated using collected data, clinical protocols and the submitted pathological diagnosis. These plans were compared with the actual management patients received based on the reviewed diagnosis proffered by the AWLP. Forty-six of 99 (46%) cases had a change in management as a result of central pathological review. Overall, management was changed in 8% of cases referred for central pathological review. In conclusion, expert central pathological review has a direct effect on patient management.

Oncologic outcomes of primary lymphoma of bone in adults

A retrospective analysis of adult patients who had lymphomatous involvement of bone was done to evaluate the prognostic factors and the oncologic outcome. Between 1984 and 1994, 28 patients (nine women and 19 men) were diagnosed with lymphoma of bone. The median age was 45 years (range, 23-76 years). The median followup was 40.3 months (range, 0.5 months-15.8 years). Eighteen patients (64%) were classified as having Stage IE disease, two patients (36%) were classified as having stage II disease, and eight patients were classified as having Stage IV disease. Twenty-one of the lesions were classified as diffuse large B cell with multilobulated nuclei. Two patients had local recurrence. Three patients had osteonecrosis develop at the site of their radiation therapy. The 5-year Kaplan-Meier survival estimate was 57.8% (95% confidence interval range, 40-33 82.8). Statistically improved survival was seen in patients younger than 40 years and those patients with diffuse large B cell with multilobulated nuclei. Patients with primary lymphoma of bone did not have a statistically improved survival compared with patients with systemic disease. The results of the current study suggest that age at diagnosis and histologic subtypes are important prognostic factors; however, the diagnosis of primary lymphoma of bone does not confer improved prognosis.

Non-Hodgkin lymphoma in elderly patients: experience at Taipei Veterans General Hospital

BACKGROUND

The annual incidence of non-Hodgkin lymphoma (NHL) has increased over the past two decades in all age groups, including the elderly. Establishing guidelines for proper care for this segment of the population requires further information.

METHODS

Between January 1993 and April 2002, 187 consecutive patients with NHL who were age 70 years or older were examined as part of the current study. Potential factors implicated in prognosis were analyzed for indolent lymphoma group and aggressive lymphoma group separately.

RESULTS

The median patient age was 75 years (range, 70-90 years), and 83% of the patients examined were male. Fifty-two patients (28%) had indolent lymphoma, and 135 patients (72%) had aggressive lymphoma. The complete remission rate was 33.3% for patients with indolent lymphoma and 35.9% for patients with aggressive lymphoma. Median overall survival was 41.5 months and 23.7 months for the indolent and aggressive lymphoma groups, respectively. The 1-year and 5-year survival rates were 76% and 32%, respectively, for patients with indolent lymphoma and 62% and 29%, respectively, for patients with aggressive lymphoma. Among patients with indolent lymphoma, poor prognosis was correlated with poor performance status (P = 0.0107), advanced disease stage (P = 0.0222), initial bone marrow involvement (P = 0.0069), and age greater than 80 years (P = 0.0486); however, none of these variables remained statistically significant after multivariate Cox regression. Among patients with aggressive lymphoma, the only prognostic factors that remained after multivariate analysis were performance status (P = 0.018) and age greater than 80 years (P = 0.029). For patients who received at least 2 courses of systemic chemotherapy, an anthracycline-containing regimen did not affect the survival rate in either the indolent lymphoma group (P = 0.81) or the aggressive lymphoma group (P = 0.34). After stratification, it was found that patients with aggressive lymphoma who were in the high-intermediate-risk group (as determined by International Prognostic Index [IPI] score) benefited most from the anthracycline-containing regimen (P = 0.0148).

CONCLUSIONS

Performance status was identified as the major prognostic determinant for elderly patients with aggressive NHL. In addition, it was found that an anthracycline-containing treatment regimen may be especially beneficial for patients in the high-intermediate-risk category as determined by IPI score.

Optimum trephine length in the assessment of bone marrow involvement in patients with diffuse large cell lymphoma

BACKGROUND

The National Cancer Institute has recommended a bone marrow biopsy length of >/=20 mm for the staging and surveillance of patients with non-Hodgkin's lymphoma. However, there are few published data to support this recommendation, particularly the role of examining multiple levels.

PATIENTS AND METHODS

Bone marrow biopsies from 172 patients with newly diagnosed diffuse large cell lymphoma (DLCL) entered in two consecutive trials of the Australasian Leukaemia and Lymphoma Group were analysed. The original haematoxylin and eosin-stained trephine biopsy and two or more deeper sections cut at 0.1-0.2 mm intervals were assessed with respect to the morphology, extent and pattern of lymphomatous involvement. The rate of positive diagnosis was correlated with the length of the biopsy specimen and the number of sections examined.

RESULTS

Forty-seven biopsies (27%) demonstrated marrow involvement on examination of a mean of four trephine biopsy sections. The rate of positivity increased with the examination of multiple levels and correlated with increasing trephine length but was not dependent on the number of sites sampled. Twenty per cent of biopsies <20 mm in length were positive for lymphoma; this increased to 35% for biopsies >/=20 mm (P = 0.023).

CONCLUSIONS

Morphological bone marrow involvement in DLCL is optimally demonstrated by a 20-mm long trephine biopsy from a single site which is examined at multiple levels (four or more). This obviates the need for bilateral sampling, thereby reducing patient morbidity from the procedure. This study provides evidence to support the National Cancer Institute recommendations regarding trephine biopsy in the staging of DLCL, providing multiple levels are examined.

Cost analysis of CHOP (-like) chemotherapy regimens for patients with newly diagnosed aggressive non-Hodgkin's lymphoma

Many cost analyses of stem-cell transplantations are available, which is in sharp contrast to the level of cost analyses on first-line chemotherapy for aggressive non-Hodgkin's lymphoma (NHL). Given the scarcity of cost analyses of first-line chemotherapy for NHL, it is difficult to assess the economic impact of upcoming new treatment modalities. Therefore we performed an analysis on costs of diagnosis and treatment of patients with newly diagnosed NHL who were treated with standard CHOP (-like) chemotherapy. As many NHL patients are treated in trials and the economic effects of the trial participation are unknown, our analysis included both patients treated according to trial protocols and patients treated according to standard local practice (SLP). The cost analysis was based on the total medical consumption of the patients. It was found that costs of the trial and SLP groups are within comparable ranges, although costs of diagnostic tests were somewhat higher within the trials. In elderly patients, SLP chemotherapy was discontinued more frequently in case of leucocytopenia or thrombocytopenia. This analysis provides basic information about the costs of first-line standard chemotherapy for patients with newly diagnosed aggressive NHL and the plausible ranges in which these costs may vary. Given the results, we will initiate larger studies to investigate whether trial treatments (showing more or less similar costs as SLP treatments) are more cost-effective for patients with aggressive NHL.

Randomized phase II study of biweekly CHOP and dose-escalated CHOP with prophylactic use of lenograstim (glycosylated G-CSF) in aggressive non-Hodgkin's lymphoma: Japan Clinical Oncology Group Study 9505

BACKGROUND

CHOP (cyclophosphamide, doxorubicin, vincristine and prednisone) is accepted as the best available standard treatment for first-line chemotherapy in aggressive non-Hodgkin's lymphoma (NHL). However, the therapeutic efficacy of CHOP remains unsatisfactory, particularly in high-intermediate risk and high risk patients, and a new strategy is warranted in this patient population. The aim of the present study was to explore a suitable therapeutic-intensified regimen for the treatment of aggressive NHL.

PATIENTS AND METHODS

Between May 1995 and July 1998, a total of 70 patients with high-intermediate risk or high risk aggressive NHL, according to the International Prognostic Index, were enrolled and randomly assigned to receive either eight cycles of standard CHOP (cyclophosphamide 750 mg/m(2), doxorubicin 50 mg/m(2), vincristine 1.4 mg/m(2) and prednisolone 100 mg for 5 days) every 2 weeks, or six cycles of dose-escalated CHOP (cyclophosphamide 1500 mg/m(2), doxorubicin 70 mg/m(2), vincristine 1.4 mg/m(2) and prednisolone 100 mg for 5 days) every 3 weeks. Lenograstim (glycosylated rHuG-CSF), at a dose of 2 micro g/kg/day s.c., was administered daily from day 3 until day 13 with biweekly CHOP and until day 20 with the dose-escalated CHOP. The primary endpoint was complete response rate.

RESULTS

The complete response rate was 60% [21 of 35; 95% confidence interval (CI) 42% to 76%] with biweekly CHOP and 51% (18 of 35; 95% CI 34% to 69%) with dose-escalated CHOP. The major toxicity was grade 4 neutropenia and was more frequent in the dose-escalated CHOP arm (86%) than in the biweekly CHOP arm (50%). Grade 4 thrombocytopenia was also more frequent in the dose-escalated CHOP arm (20%) than the biweekly CHOP arm (3%). Non-hematological toxicities were acceptable in both arms. One treatment-related death (due to cardiac arrhythmia) was observed in a dose-escalated CHOP patient. Progression-free survival at 3 years was 43% (95% CI 27% to 59%) in the biweekly CHOP arm and 31% (95% CI 16% to 47%) in the dose-escalated CHOP arm. Although seven patients were deemed ineligible by central review of the pathological diagnosis, the results for both eligible and all enrolled patients were similar.

CONCLUSIONS

Similar complete response rates and progression-free survival rates, but lower toxicity, indicated that biweekly CHOP was superior to dose-escalated CHOP in the treatment of aggressive NHL. Based on these results, the Lymphoma Study Group of the Japan Clinical Oncology Group is conducting a randomized phase III study comparing biweekly CHOP with standard CHOP in newly diagnosed patients with advanced-stage aggressive NHL.

Treatment of aggressive non-Hodgkin's lymphoma with dose-intensified epirubicin in combination of cyclophosphamide, vincristine, and prednisone (CEOP-100): a phase II study

Epirubicin is an agent with a lower incidence of cardiotoxicity and myelotoxicity compared with doxorubicin; and it is active in patients with non-Hodgkin's lymphoma (NHL). Our aim was to define the therapeutic efficacy and toxicity of dose-intensified epirubicin in combination with cyclophosphamide, vincristine, and prednisone (CEOP) in patients with diffuse large-cell NHL. Previously untreated patients aged between 15 and 75 years, with at least one measurable lesion, adequate liver, renal, cardiac functions, and no central nervous system involvement were included in the study. The planned chemotherapy regimen CEOP consisted of cyclophosphamide 750 mg/m2, epirubicin 100 mg/m2, and vincristine 1.4 mg/m2 intravenously on day 1 and 100 mg prednisone taken orally on days 1 to 5. Courses were repeated every 21 days. Patients with stage I and II received four cycles of chemotherapy followed by involved-field radiotherapy, and patients with stage III and IV received six cycles of chemotherapy followed by radiotherapy to bulky lymph node sites. Seventy-five patients were enrolled in the study. The complete response rate was 83.8%, and 72 patients were assessable for toxicity. The most common toxicity was myelosuppression; 13.9% of the patients had grade III-IV neutropenia. Severe mucositis, diarrhea, and emesis were uncommon (<10%). At a median follow-up period of 41 months, the 5-year progression-free survival and overall survival rates were 63.5% and 65.3%, respectively. Increasing the dose intensity of epirubicin can yield a similar complete response rate compared with the regimens used in NHL without significantly increasing the toxicity rate associated with chemotherapy. The role of dose-intensive epirubicin should be investigated further in future randomized trials.

Changing incidence and survival in patients with aids-related non-Hodgkin's lymphomas in the era of highly active antiretroviral therapy (HAART)

To determine role of highly active antiretroviral therapy (HAART) and additional factors in incidence and outcome of patients with AIDS-related non-Hodgkin's lymphomas (NHL) we retrospectively analyzed 257 cases of AIDS-related NHL (24 low-grade, 168 high-grade B-cell, 6 high-grade T-cell, and 59 primary CNS lymphomas (PCNSL) among 2004 patients with HIV-infection treated at the University Hospital of Frankfurt, Germany from January 1983 to May 1999. Data were evaluated by univariate and multivariate analyses, using overall survival as end point. Patients received CHOP-like therapy as standard treatment. Until May 1999 incidence of all diagnosed cases of NHL was decreasing (1991-94: 14.2% versus 1995-5/99: 12.8%). Mainly, the incidence of low-grade NHL and PCNSL clearly decreased whereas the incidence of high-grade B-cell NHL increased compared to all diagnosed cases of NHL (1983-86: 53.3% versus 1995-5/99: 78.6%). One-year survival probability of all screened patients with AIDS related NHL was 54%, while 5-year survival rate remained 5%. We found age <25 years, development of NHL in the years before 1990, IVDU, CD4 counts <150/microl, PCNSL as well as NHL as the AIDS index disease, to be highly significant independent predictors of poor survival, including increased hazard ratios. In the era of HAART incidence of NHL is decreasing, mainly the incidence of low-grade NHL and PCNSL. Overall survival of patients has been prolonged with HAART. This development is mainly due to improvement of antiretroviral therapy, rather than to any fundamental changes in the chemotherapeutic treatment of NHL. Therefore, new treatment approaches for AIDS-related NHL should focus on more efficient antiretroviral therapy in association with combination chemotherapy.

Survival in patients with intermediate or high grade non-Hodgkin's lymphoma: meta-analysis of randomized studies comparing third generation regimens with CHOP

In patients with intermediate or high grade non-Hodgkin lymphoma (NHL), third generation chemotherapy regimens have been introduced to improve survival in comparison with the standard CHOP regimen. However, most studies have found no difference between these two treatments. We conducted a meta-analysis to assess the effectiveness of third generation regimens as compared with CHOP. Our study included the randomized controlled trials published in English from 1970 to 1999. After a Medline search, 5 trials were found to meet our inclusion criteria. A total of 1982 patients, that were enrolled in these trials, were included in the survival meta-analysis. Our methodology retrieved patient-level information from all of these subjects; survival up to 9 years after randomization was compared between the two treatment options. The results of our meta-analysis showed that, in comparison with CHOP, third generation chemotherapy did not prolong survival at levels of statistical significance (chi-square by log-rank test = 1.44, P = 0.23). The relative death risk for third generation regimens vs. CHOP was 0.92 (95%CI: 0.80 to 1.06;P = 0.26). We conclude that, on the basis of our meta-analysis, third generation regimens do not confer any survival benefit to patients with intermediate or high grade NHL as compared with CHOP.

Continuous infusion of vincristine-doxorubicin with bolus of dexamethasone(VAD) alternated with CHEP in the treatment of patients over 60 years old with aggressive non-Hodgkin's lymphoma

This prospective study was undertaken to evaluate the efficacy and toxicity of combination chemotherapy with alternating cycles of vincristine, doxorubicin and dexamethasone (VAD) and cyclophophamide, doxorubicin, etoposide and prednisone (CHEP) in patients over 60 years old with previously untreated and advanced non-Hodgkin's lymphoma (NHL) of intermediate- and high-grade malignancy. Eighty one consecutive, patients with NHL referred from April 1992 to October 1997 to GOELAMS centers were enrolled in this study and their outcome updated to June 1, 1999. Of 81 enrolled patients, 77 were eligible and assessable for response. The median age was 70 years (61 to 78), 85.7% were stage III or IV, 39% were of performance status > or = 2, 27.3% > or = 2 involved extra-nodal sites and 57.3% had higher LDH levels than normal. The immunophenotype was B in 87% and T in 13%. Fifty-one (66.2%) patients received the scheduled eight cycles of therapy and treatment was withdrawn in only 6 patients (7.8%) because of toxicity. Neutropenia grade 3-4 occurred in 11.1% after VAD courses vs 40.6% after CHEP courses. The mean cumulative dose of doxorubicin was 269 mg/m2 and the relative dose intensity was 84%. The overall response and complete response rates were 66.2% and 51.9% respectively, and after a median follow-up of 52 months the 3 year overall survival (OS) and event-free survival rates (EFS) were 43.5% and 33.0% respectively. In multivariate analysis, OS and EFS were statistically influenced by IPI (p = 3 x 10(-3); p < 1 x 10(-4)) and phenotype (p = 2 x 10(-3); p < 1 x 10(-4)). Our findings support the alternation of 4 courses of VAD and CHEP as it is well tolerated in patients over 60 years old with advanced intermediate- or high-grade NHL and provides response and survival rates comparable to 6 courses of CHOP.

Autologous stem cell transplantation for clinically aggressive non-Hodgkin's lymphoma: the role of preparative regimens

We investigated the impact of the most commonly used preparative regimens on the outcome of 395 patients with diffuse large cell lymphoma (DLCL), consecutively reported to the registry of the Spanish GEL/TAMO. Among them, 139 (35%) were autografted in 1st CR, 86 (22%) in 2nd/3rd CR, 124 (31%) had chemosensitive disease and 46 (12%) had chemoresistant disease. Conditioning consisted of chemotherapy-only in 348 patients (BEAM, 164; BEAC, 145; and CBV, 39) and radiochemotherapy with CY and TBI in 47. Median times to granulocyte, platelet recovery and to discharge were significantly shorter in the chemotherapy-only group. Early transplant-related mortality was significantly higher when using CY-TBI. After a median follow-up of 28 months, overall survival (OS) at 8 years of patients conditioned with BEAM or BEAC (58% (95% CI 50-66%)) was more favorable than with CBV (40% (95% CI 24-56%)), and significantly better than with CY-TBI (31% (95% CI 18-44%)). Multivariate analysis revealed that patients conditioned with chemotherapy-only regimens had improved OS, disease-free (DFS) and relapse-free survival (RFS) when compared to those conditioned with CY-TBI. Status at transplant was also a powerful prognostic indicator. We conclude that preparative regimens consisting of chemotherapy-only seem more efficacious than CY-TBI as conditioning for DLCL, because of faster engraftment and greater anti-lymphoma effect, as indicated by improved OS, DFS and RFS.

Dose-escalation study of CHOP with or without prophylactic G-CSF in aggressive non-Hodgkin's lymphoma

BACKGROUND

CHOP is accepted as the gold standard for first line chemotherapy of aggressive non-Hodgkin's lymphoma (NHL). A dose-escalation study of CHOP was conducted to determine the maximal tolerated dose (MTD) and toxicity profile of CHOP at three-week intervals with or without prophylactic recombinant human granulocyte colony-stimulating factor (rHuG-CSF) in patients with aggressive NHL.

PATIENTS AND METHODS

The doses of drugs were escalated from 50 mg/m2 to 70 mg/m2 for doxorubicin and from 750 mg/m2 to 2250 mg/m2 for cyclophosphamide, with conventional doses of vincristine and oral prednisolone. After the MTD was determined without rHuG-CSF, dose escalation was conducted with prophylactic rHuG-CSF.

RESULTS

Thirty-three patients with NHL were enrolled into the study. The MTD without prophylactic rHuG-CSF was 70 mg/m2 of doxorubicin and 1250 mg/m2 of cyclophosphamide, with neutropenia as a dose-limiting toxicity. The MTD with prophylactic rHuG-CSF was 70 mg/m2 of doxorubicin and 2250 mg/m2 of cyclophosphamide. The overall response rate was 100% (76% complete response and 24% partial response). Progression-free survival and overall survival at five years were 45% and 66%, respectively.

CONCLUSIONS

Significant dose escalation of doxorubicin and cyclophosphamide was feasible with prophylactic rHuG-CSF. The efficacy of dose-escalated CHOP should be compared with that of standard CHOP.

The prednisone dosage in the CHOP chemotherapy regimen for non-Hodgkin's lymphomas (NHL): is there a standard?

PURPOSE

Discrepancies in the quoted prednisone dosages in the regimens reported as the only standard CHOP regimen stimulated our interest in reviewing the medical literature regarding this issue and to assess whether practicing hematologists and oncologists in the U.S. are aware of the different dose schedules of prednisone in the published CHOP programs.

METHODS

Sixteen textbooks and chemotherapy reference books were reviewed. A MEDLINE search of English-language articles published between January 1970 and December 1998 was performed. An eight-point questionnaire was sent via e-mail with responses obtained from 421 hematology/oncology physicians in the U.S.

RESULTS

Sixteen textbooks and chemotherapy reference books reviewed quoted only one prednisone dosage as part of the standard CHOP regimen; the prednisone dosages quoted as standard varied between publications. More than 4,000 eligible non-Hodgkin's lymphoma patients have been treated with the CHOP chemotherapy as part of 43 different clinical trials reviewed. The dosages of prednisone and prednisolone used varied among six different levels. Thirty percent (127/421) of practicing U.S. physicians were not aware of the existence of more than one prednisone dose schedule as part of the CHOP regimen. The three most frequently used dosages are 100 mg/days 1-5 (67%), 100 mg/m(2)/days 1-5 (17%), and 60 mg/m(2)/days 1-5 (13%).

CONCLUSIONS

Discrepancies in steroid dosages used as part of the reported standard CHOP regimens are common and not well recognized in the medical literature nor by practicing U.S. hematologists/oncologists. Based on this study, a prednisone dose of 100 mg/day for five days should be considered the standard dose.

Randomized comparison of mobilization kinetics of circulating CD34+ cells between biweekly CHOP and dose-escalated CHOP with the prophylactic use of lenograstim (glycosylated rHuG-CSF) in aggressive non-Hodgkin's lymphoma. The lenograstim/Lymphoma Study Group

High-dose chemotherapy with autologous hematopoietic stem cell transplantation has been expected to result in a promising outcome in high risk aggressive non-Hodgkin's lymphoma (NHL). However, it remains unknown what type of initial chemotherapy is optimal, especially regarding progenitor cell mobilization. Sixty-three untreated patients with aggressive NHL in a high risk group were randomized to either a biweekly arm with 8 cycles of standard CHOP or 6 cycles of the dose-escalated CHOP arm with cyclophosphamide 1.5 g/m2 and doxorubicin 70 mg/m2. Lenograstim (glycosylated rHuG-CSF 2.0 microg/kg/day) was administered daily from day 3 to patients in both arms. The mobilization effect of the two regimens on circulating CD34+ cells was evaluated. Twenty-seven of 29 patients in the biweekly CHOP arm and 33 of 34 patients in the dose-escalated CHOP were assessable. Dose-escalated CHOP yielded a significantly higher number of circulating CD34+ cells in the first cycle compared with biweekly CHOP (p=0.05). The peak number of circulating CD34+ cells with biweekly CHOP did not significantly change from cycle to cycle; however, in dose-escalated CHOP, the peak number of circulating CD34+ cells mobilized after the fifth and sixth cycle was lower than after the first cycle (p=0.07 and 0.009, respectively). Routine conventional-dose chemotherapy and low-dose G-CSF can mobilize sufficient CD34+ cells in patients with aggressive NHL. The mobilization kinetics of circulating progenitor cells in patients with aggressive NHL is dependent on the dosage and schedule of CHOP.

The management of adult aggressive non-Hodgkin's lymphomas

Aggressive non-Hodgkin's lymphona include diffuse large B-cell lymphoma, anaplastic large cell lymphona, and different peripheral T-cell lymphomas. An international prognostic index has been developed including age, serum LDH, performance status, and extranodal involvement. For localized aggressive lymphoma, the preferred treatment is 3-4 CHOP and radiation therapy, with a cure rate of 70-80%. For disseminated aggressive lymphoma, current regimens have a cure rate of less than 40%. Innovative strategies, including dose escalation, autologus stem cell support, new drugs, and immunotherapy are being explored to improve these results.

A predictive model for life-threatening neutropenia and febrile neutropenia after the first course of CHOP chemotherapy in patients with aggressive non-Hodgkin's lymphoma

The purpose of this study was to develop a model for predicting the occurrence of life-threatening neutropenia (LN, ANC < or = 0.5 x 10(9)/l) and febrile neutropenia (FN, an ANC < 0.5x10(9)/l in association with a body temperature of > or = 38.3 degrees C) after the first cycle of CHOP therapy in patients newly diagnosed with aggressive NHL. One hundred and forty-five patients, aged > or = 15 years, with newly diagnosed diffuse mixed, diffuse large-cell or large-cell immunoblastic lymphoma (IWF categories, F, G, H), who had been treated with CHOP at King Chulalongkorn Memorial Hospital between June 1994 and December 1998, were entered into the study. The criteria for eligibility included complete work-up for baseline evaluation, treatment with standard CHOP chemotherapy, at least one complete blood count performed during days 8-14 post-treatment or if at any time the patients experienced a BT of > or = 38.3 degrees C and were not treated with any colony-stimulating factors (CSFs). The median age of the patients was 47 years (range, 17-78). Forty-eight percent of the patients were in stage III/IV, 36% had ECOG performance status (PS) II-IV, 30% had > or = 2 extranodal diseases, 59% had serum LDH > 1 x normal and 23% had bone marrow involvement. The frequencies of patients in the low-, low-intermediate, high-intermediate and high risk groups according to the international index were 29%, 28%, 17% and 26%, respectively. Thirty-nine percent of the patients had LN at nadir and 33% developed FN after the first course of CHOP. By using stepwise logistic regression analysis, the pretreatment variables independently predictive of the LN at nadir and the FN were serum albumin concentration of < or = 3.5 g/dl, serum LDH > 1 x normal and whether there was bone marrow involvement of lymphoma at presentation. The model, based on the incorporation of these three factors, identified three risk groups of patients with a predicted probability of developing LN at nadir of 81.5% (95% CI, 68.5-90.7) (high risk), 23.9% (95% CI, 12.6-38.8) (intermediate risk) and 4.4% (95% CI, 0.5-15.1) (low risk). The predicted rate of FN in the three groups were 72.2% (95% CI, 58.4-83.5), 17.4% (95% CI, 7.8-31.4) and 2.2% (95% CI, 0.05-11.8), respectively. In conclusion, our model could be used as a means to identify patients with newly diagnosed aggressive NHL, treated with CHOP, who are at high risk (> or = 50% probability) of developing post-first course LN and FN, in whom CSF and/or antibiotic prophylaxis might be indicated.

Randomized comparison of ACVBP and m-BACOD in the treatment of patients with low-risk aggressive lymphoma: the LNH87-1 study. Groupe d'Etudes des Lymphomes de l'Adulte

PURPOSE

To compare a short intensified regimen followed by sequential consolidation therapy (doxorubicin, cyclophosphamide, vindesine, bleomycin, and prednisone [ACVBP]) to the standard regimen of methotrexate, bleomycin, cyclophosphamide, and etoposide (m-BACOD) in patients with low-risk aggressive lymphoma.

PATIENTS AND METHODS

A total of 752 patients with intermediate- or high-grade lymphoma and no adverse prognostic factors (Eastern Cooperative Oncology Group performance status of 2 to 4, >/= two extranodal sites of disease, tumor burden >/= 10 cm in largest dimension, bone marrow or CNS involvement, Burkitt's or lymphoblastic subtypes) were registered. Of 673 eligible patients, 332 received ACVBP and 341 received m-BACOD.

RESULTS

The complete remission rate was identical (86%) in the two groups. With a median follow-up duration of 7 years, the 5-year failure-free survival (FFS) rate was 65% in the ACVBP group and 61% in the m-BACOD group (P =.16). The 5-year overall survival rate was 75% in the ACVBP group and 73% in the m-BACOD group (P =.47). ACVBP was responsible for more severe and life-threatening infections (P <.01), but m-BACOD caused more pulmonary toxicity (P <.001). The number of treatment-related deaths did not differ between the two regimens. A multivariate analysis indicated that ACVBP was associated with a longer FFS in patients with two or three risk factors of the International Prognostic Index.

CONCLUSION

In this population of patients with low-risk aggressive lymphoma, toxicities of the regimens are different, but the rates of response and survival are identical. The survival advantage of ACVBP over standard regimen in patients with advanced disease is suggested by this analysis but remains to be assessed in prospective studies specifically designed for this purpose.

Adding high-dose tamoxifen to CHOP does not influence response or survival in aggressive non-Hodgkin's lymphoma: an interim analysis of a randomized phase III trial

PURPOSE

CHOP is the standard regimen currently used in the management of the majority of patients with aggressive non-Hodgkin's lymphoma (NHL). However, CHOP only produces 30-35% long-term survival. We hypothesized that adding high-dose tamoxifen, which is known to have multiple drug resistance-modulatory effects, to the CHOP regimen could increase the response rate, and consequently enhance the survival of patients with NHL.

PATIENTS AND METHODS

In a prospective, controlled, and randomized study, eligible adult patients with aggressive NHL were randomized between CHOP only (Group I), or CHOP plus high-dose tamoxifen (Group II). The primary aim was to assess the effect of tamoxifen on complete response (CR) rate, with the secondary evaluation of tamoxifen potential impact on survival. The interim analysis of this study is presented.

RESULTS

Fifty-one and forty-seven evaluable patients were randomized to Group I and Group II, respectively. The median age of all patients was 53 y (range 18-78 y). The two groups had comparable distributions of the pretreatment prognostic variables. The CR for patients in Group I was 80% (41 patients) as compared with 74% (35 patients) in Group II (P=0.48). Likewise, there was no apparent difference in the partial remission rates between the two groups (6% vs 15%, respectively). Of patients who initially attained CR, 15 (37%) and 10 (29%) subsequently relapsed in Groups II and I respectively (P = 0.45). The NHL International Prognostic Index (IPI) was the only factor that predicted attaining CR. At the time of this interim analysis, the actuarial-estimated overall survival (OS) probability (+/-S.E.) for the entire population at 5 y was 58% (+/-6) with no survival difference between the two groups (P=0.51). Only attaining CR and the IPI predicted OS probability. The probability of remaining event-free at 5 y (+/-SE) for those achieving CR was 72% (+/-9), and there was no significant difference between the two treatment groups (P=0.68). Toxicity profile was similar in the two groups.

CONCLUSION

Based on this interim analysis, combining high-dose tamoxifen, as used in this study, with the CHOP regimen has failed to have any favorable effect on the outcome of patients with aggressive NHL, and therefore cannot be recommended for future trials.

Feasibility of high-dose chemotherapy without stem cell support as a first-line treatment for non-Hodgkin's aggressive lymphoma: a pilot study

A regimen which incorporates cyclophosphamide, doxorubicin, vincristine and prednisolone (CHOP) is the standard treatment for patients with non-Hodgkin's lymphoma (NHL), but it has not been effective in patients with aggressive NHL who are at high risk. The aim of the present trial was to investigate the feasibility of high-dose chemotherapy (HDC) without stem cell support as a first-line treatment. The primary endpoint was a complete remission rate. The second endpoint was survival. Fourteen patients with aggressive NHL entered the study and were treated according to the K93 protocol (3 cycles of CHOP, high-dose etoposide and ifosfamide, and high-dose methotrexate) Eleven patients (79%) achieved complete remission (CR) and two (14%) achieved partial remission (PR). Overall survival (OS) after five years was 79%. The actuarial five year disease free survival (DFS) for the eleven cases of CR was 75%. During chemotherapy, grade IV hematologic toxicity was observed in all patients and grade IV non-hematologic toxicity in only one patient, who experienced oral ulcers. Peripheral blood stem cell (PBSC) apheresis was performed in eight cases. One harvesting was enough to provide an adequate number of CD34+ cells for the subsequent PBSC transplantation (PBSCT). In conclusion our study confirmed the efficacy of the K93 protocol in obtaining a good response (CR + PR) rate and a very good DFS rate in most cases of aggressive NHL, with acceptable toxicity. This regimen may improve the outcome in cases of aggressive NHL without stem cell support. It seems worthwhile to conduct a randomized controlled study comparing the K93 protocol with the standard CHOP regimen.

Stem cell transplantations in patients with malignant lymphoma: costs in a Dutch university hospital in the period 1984-1995

In the past 15 years, perspectives on treatment of patients with relapsed non-Hodgkin's lymphoma have changed. This has had important consequences for the costs of treatment. We conducted a retrospective study comparing the costs of four different treatment modalities in a university hospital in The Netherlands. The first group of patients received an autologous bone marrow transplantation (ABMT) and was kept in reverse barrier nursing. Their average total treatment costs amounted to US$26,539. Patients in the second group also received an ABMT but stayed on the normal hematology ward. The total average treatment costs for this group were US$20,806. In the third group, patients were transplanted with whole blood. Their average total treatment costs amounted to US$17,000. Patients in the fourth group received transplantation of autologous PBPC and their average total treatment costs were US$14,205. The decline in costs over time was mainly due to shorter hospitalization, less blood transfusions, and less parenteral nutrition. These factors also likely led to an improvement in patients' quality of life. The results of this study show that the progression in stem cell transplantation (SCT) techniques has been accompanied by significant benefits for patients and a decrease in costs.