Safety and efficacy of induction immunochemotherapy with rituximab, methotrexate, ifosfamide, and vincristine (R-MIV) in patients with primary CNS lymphoma including recent COVID-19 pandemic experience

Clinical data on primary central nervous system (CNS) lymphoma (PCNSL) patients is mostly generated from prospective studies, and many frail real-world patients are not included. Recently,the diagnosis and treatment of PCNSL patients was confounded by the COVID-19 pandemic. In particular, treatment with high-dose cytarabine was linked to increased risk of pneumonia and virus persistence. We report on outcome of the induction regimen R-MIV (rituximab, methotrexate, ifosfamide, and vincristine) involving intensive administration of high-dose methotrexate (3.5 g/m² ) with ifosfamide, every 2 weeks and rituximab once per week for six doses. The median age and performance status (PS) for 64 patients was 58 years and 2 (PS 3; 22%) respectively. The overall response rate by magnetic resonance imaging/computed tomography (MRI/CT) was 73% (n = 46/63), with an additional 17.5% (n = 11/63) patients without measurable disease at baseline. Grade 3-4 haematological toxicity was low for R-MIV (neutropenia: 25% and thrombocytopenia: 1%). Three patients (4.7%) died from treatment-related toxicity. Co-existence of SARS-CoV-2 infection with cytomegalovirus reactivation and the varicella-zoster virus in two patients was fatal. Fifty patients (78%) were eligible for consolidation. Median progression-free and overall survival were not reached (median follow-up: 44 months). In conclusion, the R-MIV regimen is feasible in routine practice, effective and safe, even during the COVID-19 pandemic.

High efficacy of intensive immunochemotherapy for primary mediastinal B-cell lymphoma with prolonged follow up

Primary mediastinal B-cell lymphoma (PMBL) is currently curable in 85–95% of patients. Treatment regimens frequently used include RCHOP ± radiotherapy, DAEPOCH-R, or occasionally more intensive protocols. Here we present results of treatment of 124 patients with PMBL over a period between 2004 and 2017 with the use of a protocol designed for aggressive B-cell lymphoma GMALL/B-ALL/NHL2002 including 6 cycles of alternating immunochemotherapy with intermediate-dose methotrexate in each cycle, and reduced total doxorubicin dose (100 mg/m² for whole treatment). Majority of patients (77%) received consolidative radiotherapy. A median (range) age of patients was 30 (18–59) years, and 60% were female. With a median (range) follow up of 9 (1–17) years, 5-year overall survival (OS) and 5-year progression free survival (PFS) were 94% and 92%, respectively. Positron emission tomography—computed tomography (PET-CT) results at the end of chemotherapy were predictive for outcome: OS and PFS at 5 year were 96% and 94% in PET-CT negative patients, respectively, and 70% and 70% in PET-CT-positive patients (p = 0.004 for OS, p = 0.01 for PFS). Eight (6%) patients had recurrent/refractory disease, however, no central nervous system (CNS) relapse was observed. Acute toxicity included pancytopenia grade 3/4, neutropenic fever, and treatment related mortality rate of 0.8%. Second malignancies and late cardiotoxicity occurred in 2.4% and 2.4% of patients, respectively. Intensive alternating immunochemotherapy protocol GMALL/B-ALL/NHL2002 is curative for more than 90% of PMBL patients and late toxicity in young patients is moderated. The attenuated dose of doxorubicin and intermediate dose of methotrexate may contribute to low incidence of late cardiotoxicity and effective CNS prophylaxis.

Rituximab and Chemotherapy for Newly Diagnosed Follicular Lymphoma - Real World Report of Polish Lymphoma Research Group

Introduction: Follicular lymphoma (FL) is the most common type of indolent B cell lymphoma with a favorable prognosis in the majority of patients. The induction treatment is still based on rituximab and chemotherapy, though new anty-CD20 antibody and chemo-free regimen have been recently introduced. The aim of the study was to analyze the management, outcomes and determinants of prognosis of newly diagnosed patients with FL in real-world experience. Methods: Data of consecutive patients diagnosed with FL in 5 years period (2011 – 2015) in three oncohematoogical centers were reviewed. Variables were compared using Mann-Whitney or chi-squared test as appropriate, survival outpoints were calculated using Kaplan-Meier method. Results: One hundred eighty-one patients were included in the study. The median patients' age at diagnosis was 56.6 years. Low histological grade (G1-G2) was found in 62.1% of patients and advanced clinical stage in 77.0% of patients. ECOG 0 performance status was observed in 57.1% of patients. The median follow-up was 5.91 years. Initially, 31.5% of the patients were qualified to watch and wait strategy (W&W) and 84.0% of the whole patients' group received systemic treatment during the observation period. As induction treatment, 53.9% and 41.4% of patients received RCVP and RCHOP regimens, respectively; 39.8% received rituximab maintenance (RM) after first-line therapy. During follow-up, transformation to aggressive lymphoma occurred in 7.2% of patients. Median overall survival (OS) was not achieved, and median progression-free survival (PFS) was 8.28 years (95% CI; 7.35, NA), 19.6% of patients relapsed during 24 months from the start of the treatment (POD24). Median PFS for POD24 group was 1.1 years (95% CI; 0.56, 1.45) with a median OS longer than 8 years. ECOG 0, low PRIMAPI and no POD24 were found as determinants of longer PFS and OS. Conclusions: Our data from clinical practice showed that rituximab and chemotherapy is still an effective method of FL treatment resulting in survival more than 8 years from diagnosis in most patients. RCVP protocol followed with RM is a reasonable choice for the first-line therapy especially in low/intermediate group of patients. The prognosis was significantly worse in patients with POD24. Therefore, searching for precise initial clinical and biological markers is warranted and development therapies to improve prognosis of POD24 patients.

Prognostic Value of the Immunological Subtypes of Adolescent and Adult T-Cell Lymphoblastic Lymphoma; an Ultra-High-Risk Pro-T/CD2(-) Subtype

(1) Background: T-cell lymphoblastic lymphoma (T-LBL) is extremely rare and highly aggressive, with no practical risk model defined yet. The prognostic value of T-LBL immunological subtypes is still a matter of controversy. (2) Methods: We re-evaluated 49 subsequent adult T-LBL patients treated according to the German Multicenter Study Group for Adult Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia (GMALL) protocols, 05/93 (n = 20) and T-LBL 1/2004 (n = 29), 85.7% of which achieved complete remission (CR). (3) Results: The 5/10-year overall survival (OS) and event-free survival (EFS) were 62%/59% and 48%/43%, respectively. In 96% of patients, flow cytometry analyses defining the WHO 2008 immunophenotypes were available. Cortical, early/pro-T/CD2(-), early/pre-T/CD2(+), and mature subtypes were identified in 59.5%, 19%, 15%, and 6.5% of patients, respectively. Overall, 20% of patients had the early T-cell precursor (ETP)-LBL immunophenotype, as proposed by the WHO 2017 classification. For the early/pro-T/CD2(-) subtype, the five-year OS and EFS were 13% and 13%, while for all the other, non-pro-T subtypes, they were 69% and 67%. By multivariate analysis, only CD2(-) status and age > 35 years emerged as strong, independent factors influencing OS and EFS, while the risk of CR failure was influenced by age only (>35 years). (4) Conclusions: ETP was non-significant for OS, unless an ultra-high-risk pro-T/CD2(-) subtype was concerned.

Durable benefit of rituximab maintenance post-autograft in patients with relapsed follicular lymphoma: 12-year follow-up of the EBMT lymphoma working party Lym1 trial

We report the 12-year follow-up of the prospective randomized EBMT LYM1 trial to determine whether the benefit of brief duration rituximab maintenance (RM) on progression-free survival (PFS) in patients with relapsed follicular lymphoma (FL) receiving an autologous stem cell transplant (ASCT) is sustained. One hundred and thirty-eight patients received RM with or without purging. The median follow-up after random assignment is 12 years (range 10-13) for the whole series. The 10-year PFS after ASCT is 47% (95% CI 40-54) with only 4 patients relapsing after 7.5 years. RM continues to significantly improve 10-year PFS after ASCT in comparison with NM [P = 0.002; HR 0.548 (95% CI 0.38-0.80)]. Ten-year non-relapse mortality (NRM) was not significantly different between treatment groups (7% overall). 10-year overall survival (OS) after ASCT was 75% (69-81) for the whole series, with no significant differences according to treatment sub-groups. 10-year OS for patients who progressed within 24 months (POD24T) was 60%, in comparison with 85% for patients without progression. Thus the benefit of rituximab maintenance after ASCT on relapse prevention is sustained at 12 years, suggesting that RM adds to ASCT-mediated disease eradication and may enhance the curative potential of ASCT.

Second autologous stem cell transplantation for relapsed/refractory Hodgkin lymphoma after a previous autograft: a study of the lymphoma working party of the EBMT

The purpose of this study was to analyze the results of second autologous hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (ASCT2) for patients with relapsed/refractory Hodgkin lymphoma (HL) after a first transplantation (ASCT1). Outcomes for 56 patients receiving an ASCT2 registered in the EBMT database were analyzed. The 4-year cumulative incidences of non-relapse mortality and disease relapse/progression were 5% and 67%, respectively. The 4-year overall survival (OS) and progression-free survival (PFS) were 62% and 28%. In univariate analysis, relapse of HL within 12 months of ASCT1 was associated with a worse OS (35% versus 76%, p = 0.01) and PFS (19% versus 29%, p = 0.059). Chemosensitivity at ASCT2 predicted better outcomes (4-year OS 72% versus 29%, p = 0.002; PFS 31% versus 12%, p = 0.015). This series shows that ASCT2 is a safe procedure and a relatively effective option for patients with late relapses after ASCT1 and with chemosensitive disease who are not eligible for an allogeneic transplant.

Clinicopathological characteristics and outcome of plasmablastic lymphoma patients: A single-center retrospective analysis

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Background: Plasmablastic lymphoma (PBL) is a rare CD20-negative lymphoma with an aggressive clinical course and short median survival ranging from 9 to 32 months. It is often associated with HIV infection but it also affects immunocompetent patients. Due to the rare occurrence most data comes from small, retrospective series. Methods: This is a retrospective single-center analysis of PBL patients (pts) referred to MSCNRIO between 2003-2019. Diagnosis was established according to the WHO 2017 classification criteria. Kaplan–Meier method was used for calculating overall survival (OS) and progression-free-survival (PFS) and the log-rank test for comparisons. Univariate analysis of prognostic factors was carried out. Results: 24 pts with a diagnosis of PBL were included. The median age at diagnosis was 54 years (range 29-90). 15 pts (63%) were men. LDH was elevated in 10 pts (41%). Stage III or IV was reported in 21 (87.5%) pts, IPI score of 3-5 in 12 (50%) and ECOG performance status > 1 in 7 pts (29%). 20 pts (83.3%) had extranodal involvement, including oropharynx (n = 12), gastrointestinal tract (n = 1), bone marrow (n = 7), skeletal bone (n = 9), central nervous system (n = 3), skin and subcutaneous tissue (n = 2). Only 3 pts (13%) were infected by HIV, 2 had history of immunosuppressive therapy. Pathologically, all cases were negative for CD20 and positive for CD38 or CD138 expression. Ki67 > 90% was noted in 16 cases (66%). 11 pts received CHOP chemotherapy, 3 pts - thalidomide- and 4 pts - bortezomib-based regimens, 1 was treated with both agents. 4 pts received different protocols; 1 pt received no treatment. CR was observed in 8 pts (33%), PR in 6 (25%) and no response in 10 (42%). 2 pts received ASCT in the 1st remission. 17 pts (71%) experienced relapsed/progressive disease. 16 pts died: 11 from disease progression, 2 from other neoplasm. With a median follow-up of 20 months (range 2-122) median OS was 21 months and 2-year OS rate was 46% (95%C.I 27%, 65%). 2-year PFS rate was 37% (95% C.I. 17%, 57%), with median PFS 12 months (range 0.7-105). On univariate analysis there was a trend for correlation of high IPI with PFS; (95%C.I 0.99-1.03, P= 0.08). Achieving CR significantly correlated with better OS (HR 5; 95% C.I. 1.41-17; P= 0.01)) and PFS (HR 5.1, 95%C.I. 1.4, 18; P= 0.004). Conclusions: Our results confirm other reported data on PBL. Patients in our cohort shared typical clinical features but majority of them were immunocompetent. PBL prognosis remains poor despite incorporating novel agents into treatment and requires new therapeutic approaches.

Type 2 diabetes mellitus compromises the survival of diffuse large B-cell lymphoma patients treated with (R)-CHOP - the PLRG report

Comorbidities impair the prognosis of diffuse large B-cell lymphoma (DLBCL). Type 2 diabetes mellitus (DMT2) increases the risk of other comorbidities, e.g., heart failure (HF). Thus, we hypothesized that pre-existing DMT2 may negatively affect the outcome of DLBCL. To verify this, DLBCL patients treated with (R)-CHOP were enrolled. 469 patients were eligible, with a median age of 57 years; 356 patients had advanced-stage DLBCL. 126 patients had high-intermediate and 83 high-risk international prognostic index (IPI). Seventy-six patients had DMT2, 46 HF; 26 patients suffered from both DMT2 and HF. In the analyzed group DMT2 or HF significantly shortened overall survival (OS) and progression free survival (PFS): the 5-year OS for patients with DMT2 was 64% vs 79% and for those with HF: 49% vs 79%. The 5-year PFS for DMT2 was 50.6% vs 62.5% and for HF 39.4% vs 63.2%. The relapse/progression incidence was comparable between groups; the non-relapse/progression mortality (NRPM) was significantly higher solely in DMT2 patients (5-year NRPM 22.5% vs 8.4%). The risk of death was higher in patients with higher IPI (HR = 1.85) and with DMT2 (HR = 1.87). To conclude, pre-existing DMT2, in addition to a higher IPI and HF, was a negative predictor for OS and PFS.

A comprehensive flow-cytometry-based immunophenotypic characterization of Burkitt-like lymphoma with 11q aberration

We previously described a subset of MYC translocation-negative aggressive B-cell lymphomas resembling Burkitt lymphoma, characterized by proximal gains and distal losses in chromosome 11. In the 2016 WHO classification, these MYC-negative lymphomas were recognized as a new provisional entity, 'Burkitt-like lymphoma with 11q aberration'. Here we present an immunophenotype analysis of Burkitt-like lymphomas with 11q aberration. Cells were acquired by fine needle aspiration biopsy from 10 young adult patients, 80% of whom presented recurrence-free 5-year survival. Twenty-three MYC-positive Burkitt lymphomas, including three carrying both MYC rearrangement and 11q aberration, served as controls. By immunohistochemistry, all Burkitt-like lymphomas with 11q aberration were CD20+/CD10+/BCL6+/BCL2-/MUM1-/MYC+/EBV-, usually LMO2+/CD44-/CD43- and sometimes CD56+, and showed high proliferation rate. By flow cytometry, Burkitt-like lymphoma with 11q aberration immunophenotypically resembled MYC-positive Burkitt lymphoma, except for significantly (adjusted P<0.001) more frequent CD38^higher expression in Burkitt lymphoma (91% MYC-positive Burkitt lymphoma vs 10% Burkitt-like lymphoma with 11q aberration), more frequently diminished CD45 expression in Burkitt lymphoma (74% vs 10%), an exclusive CD16/CD56 and highly restricted CD8 expression in Burkitt-like lymphoma with 11q aberration (60% vs 0% and 40% vs 4%, respectively). We showed high diagnostic accuracy and effectiveness of flow cytometry in Burkitt lymphoma. CD16/CD56 expression without CD38^higher and the lack of CD16/CD56 with CD38^higher expression proves to be a reliable, fast, and cost-effective method for diagnosing 11q aberration and MYC rearrangements in CD10(+) aggressive lymphomas, respectively. In addition, we confirmed a pattern of an inverted duplication with telomeric loss of 11q, as a recurrent 11q abnormality, but one case presented alternative changes, possibly resulting in an equivalent molecular effect. Our findings reveal similarities along with subtle but essential differences in the immunophenotype of Burkitt-like lymphoma with 11q aberration and MYC-positive Burkitt lymphoma, important for the differential diagnosis, but also for understanding the pathogenesis of Burkitt-like lymphoma with 11q aberration.

The outcome of high-grade B-cell lymphoma with MYC and BCL2 and/or BCL6 rearrangements or NOS compared to DLBCL patients from a single institution

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Background: 2016 update of the WHO 2008 classification of lymphoid neoplasms introduced new categories of highly aggressive B lymphomas (BCL): high grade B lymphoma (HGBL) with MYC and BCL2 and/or BCL6 rearrangements (HGBLR) and HGBL not otherwise specified (NOS). The prognosis for HGBL is generally considered poor, the optimal therapy is unknown. Here we evaluated outcome after first line treatment in patients with a diagnosis of HGBLR, HGBL, NOS, and DLBCL at our institution. Methods: Medical records of 591 consecutive patients with aggressive BCL were evaluated, archived pathology reports and samples were reviewed, diagnosis revised if necessary according to 2016 update of WHO classification. We identified 16 cases of HGBLR (3%), 26 cases of HGBL, NOS (4%), and 565 cases of DLBCL (93%). Response to first line therapy, progression free survival (PFS), and overall survival (OS) were calculated and compared between these three entities. Results: DLBCL patients were treated with RCHOP between 2005-2012, HGBL patients were treated between 2005-2016 with RDAEPOCH (n = 31, 5%), RCHOP or other regimens. For the first line treatment in patients with DLBCL, HGBLR and HGBL NOS, the overall response/complete response rate was 92%/75%, 81%/56%, 93%/65%, respectively (p = NS). After a median (range) follow up of 42(1-155) months, median PFS and OS for DLBCL was not reached. For both HGBLR and HGLB, NOS patients median PFS was 10 months, median OS was 16 months. The HR for risk of progression in patients with HGBLR vs DLBCL and HGBL NOS vs DLBCL was 2.4 (1.1-4.7), p = 0.01 and 2.0 (1.1-3.5), p = 0.01. The HR for risk of death, for HGBLR vs DLBCL and HGLB NOS vs DLBCL was 2.59(1.32-5.07), p < 0.01 and 1.8(0.9-3.3), p = 0.08. The risk of progression and the risk of death in HGBLR vs HGBL, NOS was similar, for PFS: 1.08 (0.46- 2.5), p = NS for OS: 1.2 (0.5 -3,1) p = NS. Conclusions: Our data confirms reports by others on poor prognosis for patients with a diagnosis of HGBL with MYC and BCL2 and/or BCL6 rearrangements as well as HGBL, NOS with an increased risk of death and risk of progression compared to DLBCL patients. There was no difference in outcome between HGBL-R and HGBL, NOS patients in our series.

The first case of human autochtonous subconjunctival dirofilariosis in Poland and MALT lymphoma as possible consequence of this parasitosis

The first case of human dirofilarosis in Poland was recorded in 2007. Until that time our country was free of Dirofilaria repens. Recent studies show that 21,4- 60% of dogs in Warsaw region harbour microfilariae, therefore it is becoming a growing problem in Central Europe.

In April 2013 a subconjunctival D. repens was removed from the eye of 61-year-old woman. It was the twenty first case of this disease in Poland, the third case of eye dirofilaria and the fourth autochtonous case. The patient had never been abroad, so it was the first case of autochtonous human ocular dirofilariosis in Poland. Nine months after the D. repens had been removed, a MALT lymphoma was discovered. In the article we discuss whether a MALT lymphoma of the lacrimal gland of the eye, previously affected by the parasite, may be the consequence of the invasion.

Morphologic pattern of CD30 distribution within neoplastic cells in Hodgkin lymphoma

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Background: CD30 protein is expressed on Hodgkin and Reed-Sternberg (HRS) cells in nearly all cases of classical Hodgkin lymphoma (HL). CD30 is present on a cell membrane and on the Golgi complex of the endomembrane cell system. Given the growing clinical application of CD30 targeting we were interested to see if there is variability in distribution of CD30 protein between the cell surface and the cytoplasm. External exposure of CD30 is most likely a critical condition of successful interaction with the ligand and possibly, a predictive factor for response to CD30 antibody. To our knowledge, clinical data on CD30 expression have not yet been published in the context of cell topography. Methods: The CD30 protein was evaluated in formalin-fixed paraffin-embedded (FFPE) tissue sections by immunohistochemistry (IHC) with monoclonal mouse anti-human antibody CD30 (clone Ber-H2) (Dako). IHC was performed using the EnVision Plus Detection Systems LSAB kit (Dako Corp., Carpinteria, CA), and an antigen-retrieval technique was applied. Morphological pattern (localization of CD30) of CD30 expression was evaluated in each case under a microscope examination. Results: FFPE tissue specimens from 83 newly diagnosed and relapsed (n=78 and n=5, respectively) HL patients were examined. The average (range) of patient age was 39 (18-89), male/female ratio was 1/0.88. Histological subtypes of HL were nodular sclerosis in 87%, mixed cellularity in 8%, lymphocyte rich in 3% of cases, and 1 case of lymphocyte-depleted classical HL. Immunophenotype was typical of classical HL, and HRS cells were positive for CD30 in all cases. Immunostaining for CD30 was present on the Golgi body in 98% of cases, and it was demonstrated on the cell membrane in 27% of cases. Conclusions: In our series of 83 patients with classical HL, predominant pattern of CD30 expression was cytoplasmic (Golgi body), and only 27% of cases demonstrated cell surface expression. We hypothesize that cell surface expression of CD30 protein might predict a response to anti-CD30 antibody that is in the order of magnitude of 30% complete remissions in recurrent HL.

Prespecified candidate biomarkers identify follicular lymphoma patients who achieved longer progression-free survival with bortezomib-rituximab versus rituximab

PURPOSE

Identify subgroups of patients with relapsed/refractory follicular lymphoma deriving substantial progression-free survival (PFS) benefit with bortezomib-rituximab versus rituximab in the phase III LYM-3001 study.

EXPERIMENTAL DESIGN

A total of 676 patients were randomized to five 5-week cycles of bortezomib-rituximab or rituximab. The primary end point was PFS; this prespecified analysis of candidate protein biomarkers and genes was an exploratory objective. Archived tumor tissue and whole blood samples were collected at baseline. Immunohistochemistry and genetic analyses were completed for 4 proteins and 8 genes.

RESULTS

In initial pairwise analyses, using individual single-nucleotide polymorphism genotypes, one biomarker pair (PSMB1 P11A C/G heterozygote, low CD68 expression) was associated with a significant PFS benefit with bortezomib-rituximab versus rituximab, controlling for multiple comparison corrections. The pair was analyzed under dominant, recessive, and additive genetic models, with significant association with PFS seen under the dominant model (G/G+C/G). In patients carrying this biomarker pair [PSMB1 P11A G allele, low CD68 expression (≤50 CD68-positive cells), population frequency: 43.6%], median PFS was 14.2 months with bortezomib-rituximab versus 9.1 months with rituximab (HR 0.47, P < 0.0001), and there was a significant overall survival benefit (HR 0.49, P = 0.0461). Response rates were higher and time to next antilymphoma therapy was longer in the bortezomib-rituximab group. In biomarker-negative patients, no significant efficacy differences were seen between treatment groups. Similar proportions of patients had high-risk features in the biomarker-positive and biomarker-negative subsets.

CONCLUSIONS

Patients with PSMB1 P11A (G allele) and low CD68 expression seemed to have significantly longer PFS and greater clinical benefit with bortezomib-rituximab versus rituximab.

Autologous stem cell transplantation as consolidation therapy for patients with peripheral T cell lymphoma in first remission: long-term outcome and risk factors analysis

This report is a retrospective analysis of 65 patients with peripheral T cell lymphoma (PTCL), who underwent high-dose therapy and autologous hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (autoHCT) as a consolidation of first response achieved with either induction or salvage chemotherapy. We intended to determine the prognostic factors that influenced outcome after autoHCT and to define the predictive value of the scoring systems most often applied for transplant outcomes. Nineteen patients in either complete or partial remission underwent autoHCT after induction chemotherapy. Forty-six patients received second-line chemotherapy as a consolidation of partial response after induction chemotherapy (n = 34) or as a salvage therapy after primary induction failure (n = 12), and thereafter proceeded to autoHCT. Finally, the 36 patients were in complete remission, and 29 in partial remission at autoHCT. The median follow-up of survivors was 53 months (range 7–157 months). The 5-year overall survival and progression-free survival for all patients were 61.5 % (95 % CI 47.0–74.2 %) and 59.4 % (95 % CI 46.1–71.5 %), respectively. In multivariate analysis, bone marrow involvement at diagnosis and less than partial remission after induction chemotherapy were factors independently predictive for overall survival and progression-free survival. The prognostic index for PTCL could reliably stratify the prognosis of PTCL in this analysis.

Treatment strategy based on gemcitabine-containing salvage chemotherapy used with intent to proceed to second stem cell transplant for patients with Hodgkin lymphoma relapsing after a prior autologous transplant

This report is an analysis of patients with Hodgkin lymphoma who relapsed after autologous stem cell transplant (autoHCT) and who were treated with gemcitabine-based therapy as a bridge to either allogeneic or second autologous transplant. Sixteen patients were treated with gemcitabine, cisplatin and steroid and 21 with gemcitabine plus vinorelbine. The overall response rate was 68%. The grade 3-4 toxicity was myelosupression and infections. Fifteen patients proceeded to allogeneic and five to autologous transplant. Two-year overall survival (OS) and progression-free survival (PFS) for all patients were 36% and 25%, respectively. In multivariate analysis, relapse > 6 months after autoHCT and response to gemcitabine-based chemotherapy were associated with superior OS and response to gemcitabine-based chemotherapy with improved PFS. A treatment strategy based on gemcitabine-containing chemotherapy and second transplant appears to be an effective treatment option for patients relapsing > 6 months after autoHCT, providing a median survival time of 34 months.

Anaplastic large cell lymphoma (ALCL) ALK positive and ALCL ALK negative uniformly treated with intensive alternating chemotherapy at a single institution

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Background: Anaplastic large cell lymphoma ALK positive (ALCL ALK+) is frequently referred to as easily curable disease, however, patients with more than 1 IPI risk factors have a poor outcome. ALCL ALK negative (ALCL ALK-) have usually higher IPI score and there is no general consensus on what treatment is the optimal. We evaluated data on 26 consecutive patients with ALCL ALK+ and ALCL ALK- treated uniformly at our institution between July 2004 and April 2011. Methods: 26 patients with ALCL ALK+ or ALCL ALK- were treated according to GMALL B-ALL/NHL 2002 protocol (Hoelzer D et al. Blood 2007; 110: Abstr. 518) without rituximab. Kaplan-Meier method and Cox’s model were used to analyze overall survival time and progression free survival time. Results: ALK protein expression was tested in 26 patients, 19(73%) were positive, 5(27%) were negative. Median age was 33 years (range 16-53). 14 pts (54%) were male, 20 (77%) were in clinical stage (CS) III or IV, 16 (61,5%) had B symptoms, 10(38,5%) had bulky disease, 10 (38,5%) had LDH > N, and 20 (77%) had IPI score >1. The overall response rate (ORR) was evaluated in 23 of 26 patients. The ORR was 87% (20/23 patients). After median follow up of 26 months (range; 6-90) overall (OS) and progression free survival (PFS) at 2 years was 67%: 95% C.I.=[48%, 86%] and 65%: 95% C.I.=[48%, 82%], respectively. On multivariate analysis none of factors: CS III and IV, B symptoms, bulky disease, IPI score>2, LDH>N, ALK expression influenced OS and PFS. The major toxicity was reversible myelosuppression: grade 4 neutropenia occurred after every cycle. Other complications included mucositis and infection. Two toxic deaths (7,6%) from sepsis occurred during neutropenia after first cycle of treatment. Conclusions: These results suggest that GMALL- B-ALL/NHL 2002 protocol is an effective treatment for both ALCL ALK + and ALCL ALK-, however, toxicity is remarkable, with neutropenia and infection being most frequent complications.

Outcome of adult patients with T-lymphoblastic lymphoma treated according to protocols for acute lymphoblastic leukemia

We treated 45 adult patients with T-lymphoblastic lymphoma (T-LBL) (age range 15-61 years) with 2 protocols designed for adult acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL). An encouraging cure rate of 90% was recently reported for T-LBL in children treated with a similar approach. In our study, an 8-drug standard induction was administered over 8 weeks including prophylactic cranial (24 Gy) and mediastinal irradiation (24 Gy) followed by consolidation and reinduction therapy. At diagnosis, 91% of the 45 patients showed a mediastinal tumor and 40% had pleural/pericardial effusions; 73% of the patients had stage III/IV disease. Overall, 42 patients (93%) achieved a complete remission (CR), 2 patients (4%) achieved a partial remission, and 1 patient (2%) died during induction. In patients with stage I-III disease (n = 18) the CR rate was 100% compared with 89% in stage IV (n = 27). There were 15 patients who relapsed (36%) within 12 months. The majority of relapses (47%) occurred in the mediastinum (n = 7) despite mediastinal irradiation with 24 Gy in 6 out of 7 patients. The estimates for overall survival, continuous CR, and disease-free survival at 7 years are 51%, 65%, and 62%, respectively. Stage, age, lactate dehydrogenase, and all other parameters had no influence on achievement of CR or outcome. This study demonstrates in a large cohort of patients with adult T-LBL that a high CR rate and a favorable outcome can be achieved with an ALL-type regimen. Mediastinal recurrence was the major obstacle and further improvement by intensification of chemotherapy, increased dose of mediastinal irradiation (36 Gy), and extended indications for stem cell transplantation seem to be required.