The architectural pattern of FOXP3-positive T cells in follicular lymphoma is an independent predictor of survival and histologic transformation

Blood ◽  
2010 ◽  
Vol 115 (2) ◽  
pp. 289-295 ◽  
Author(s):  
Pedro Farinha ◽  
Abdulwahab Al-Tourah ◽  
Karamjit Gill ◽  
Richard Klasa ◽  
Joseph M. Connors ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
T Cells ◽  
Follicular Lymphoma ◽  
International Prognostic Index ◽  
Prognostic Index ◽  
Progression Free Survival ◽  
Tissue Microarrays ◽  
Index Score ◽  
Cell Distribution ◽  
Cell Content ◽  
International Prognostic Index Score

Abstract Previous studies of follicular lymphoma (FL) patients treated heterogeneously have suggested that decreased numbers of regulatory T cells correlates with improved survival. We studied advanced-stage FL patients from a single institution phase 2 trial. All patients were treated uniformly with multiagent chemotherapy and radiation. Tissue microarrays were constructed using diagnostic biopsies available in 105 patients and stained with CD4, CD8, CD25, and forkhead/winged helix transcription factor 3 (FOXP3) antibodies. Both cell content and cell distribution were evaluated. For all antibodies, there were cases with a predominant intrafollicular or perifollicular localization of cells (follicular pattern) while others displayed a diffuse pattern. The median follow-up of living patients was 17.1 years. The International Prognostic Index score predicted overall survival (OS; P = .004) but not risk of transformation (RT). Cell content did not impact survival, while immunoarchitectural patterns of CD4/CD8 were significant for progression-free survival (PFS; P = .056), CD25 for both PFS and OS (P = .002 and P = .024, respectively), and FOXP3+ predicted PFS, OS, and RT (P = .001, P < .001 and p = .002, respectively). A Cox multivariate model showed both International Prognostic Index score and FOXP3+ pattern were independent predictors of OS (P = .008 and P < .001, respectively), while only FOXP3+ pattern predicted RT (P = .004). We conclude that FOXP3+ cell distribution significantly predicts survival and RT in FL.

scholarly journals Short regimen of rituximab plus lenalidomide in follicular lymphoma patients in need of first-line therapy

Blood ◽  
2019 ◽  
Vol 134 (4) ◽  
pp. 353-362 ◽  
Author(s):  
Emanuele Zucca ◽  
Stephanie Rondeau ◽  
Anna Vanazzi ◽  
Bjørn Østenstad ◽  
Ulrich J. M. Mey ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Follicular Lymphoma ◽  
International Prognostic Index ◽  
Prognostic Index ◽  
Progression Free Survival ◽  
Complete Response ◽  
Clinical Cancer Research ◽  
International Prognostic Index Score ◽  
First Line Therapy ◽  
Phase 2 Trial ◽  
Grade 3

Abstract The SAKK 35/10 phase 2 trial, developed by the Swiss Group for Clinical Cancer Research and the Nordic Lymphoma Group, compared the activity of rituximab vs rituximab plus lenalidomide in untreated follicular lymphoma patients in need of systemic therapy. Patients were randomized to rituximab (375 mg/m2 IV on day 1 of weeks 1-4 and repeated during weeks 12-15 in responding patients) or rituximab (same schedule) in combination with lenalidomide (15 mg orally daily for 18 weeks). Primary end point was complete response (CR)/unconfirmed CR (CRu) rate at 6 months. In total, 77 patients were allocated to rituximab monotherapy and 77 to the combination (47% poor-risk Follicular Lymphoma International Prognostic Index score in each arm). A significantly higher CR/CRu rate at 6 months was documented in the combination arm by the investigators (36%; 95% confidence interval [CI], 26%-48% vs 25%; 95% CI, 16%-36%) and confirmed by an independent response review of computed tomography scans only (61%; 95% CI, 49%-72% vs 36%; 95% CI, 26%-48%). After a median follow-up of 4 years, significantly higher 30-month CR/CRu rates and longer progression-free survival (PFS) and time to next treatment (TTNT) were observed for the combination. Overall survival (OS) rates were similar in both arms (≥90%). Toxicity grade ≥3 was more common in the combination arm (56% vs 22% of patients), mainly represented by neutropenia (23% vs 7%). Addition of lenalidomide to rituximab significantly improved CR/CRu rates, PFS, and TTNT, with expected higher, but manageable toxicity. The excellent OS in both arms suggests that chemotherapy-free strategies should be further explored. This trial was registered at www.clinicaltrials.gov as #NCT01307605.

High numbers of tumor-infiltrating FOXP3-positive regulatory T cells are associated with improved overall survival in follicular lymphoma

Blood ◽  
2006 ◽  
Vol 108 (9) ◽  
pp. 2957-2964 ◽  
Author(s):  
Joaquim Carreras ◽  
Armando Lopez-Guillermo ◽  
Bridget C. Fox ◽  
Lluis Colomo ◽  
Antonio Martinez ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Overall Survival ◽  
T Cells ◽  
Regulatory T Cells ◽  
Follicular Lymphoma ◽  
International Prognostic Index ◽  
Prognostic Significance ◽  
Prognostic Index ◽  
Specific Cell ◽  
First Relapse ◽  
The Impact

Abstract The tumor microenvironment plays an important role in the biologic behavior of follicular lymphoma (FL), but the specific cell subsets involved in this regulation are unknown. To determine the impact of FOXP3-positive regulatory T cells (Tregs) in the progression and outcome of FL patients, we examined samples from 97 patients at diagnosis and 37 at first relapse with an anti-FOXP3 monoclonal antibody. Tregs were quantified using computerized image analysis. The median overall survival (OS) of the series was 9.9 years, and the FL International Prognostic Index (FLIPI) was prognostically significant. The median Treg percentage at diagnosis was 10.5%. Overall, 49 patients had more than 10% Tregs, 30 between 5% to 10%, and 19 less than 5%, with a 5-year OS of 80%, 74%, and 50%, respectively (P = .001). Patients with very low numbers of Tregs (< 5%) presented more frequently with refractory disease (P = .007). The prognostic significance of Treg numbers was independent of the FLIPI. Seven transformed diffuse large B-cell lymphomas (DLBCLs) had lower Treg percentages (mean: 3.3%) than FL grades 1,2 (mean: 12.1%) or 3 (mean: 9%) (P < .02). In conclusion, high Treg numbers predict improved survival of FL patients, while a marked reduction in Tregs is observed on transformation to DLBCL.

The Follicular Lymphoma International Prognostic Index (FLIPI) as Part of a Proposed Prognostic Model for Follicular Lymphoma Patients Undergoing Autologous Hematopoietic Stem Cell Transplantation (ASCT).

Blood ◽  
2004 ◽  
Vol 104 (11) ◽  
pp. 12-12 ◽  
Author(s):  
Grant E. Keeney ◽  
Theodore A. Gooley ◽  
Oliver W. Press ◽  
John M. Pagel ◽  
Stephen H. Petersdorf ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Follicular Lymphoma ◽  
International Prognostic Index ◽  
Prognostic Index ◽  
Progression Free Survival ◽  
B Cell Lymphoma ◽  
Median Number ◽  
Hematopoietic Stem ◽  
Prior Chemotherapy ◽  
Five Factors ◽  
Grade 3

Abstract The FLIPI has recently been demonstrated to correlate with survival in patients (pts) with newly diagnosed follicular lymphoma (FL). No such index has been developed or evaluated to predict outcome for FL pts in the setting of myeloablative therapy and ASCT, despite data suggesting that ASCT may improve overall and progression-free survival (PFS). We examined the factors that contribute to the FLIPI as well as other factors assessed at time of transplant for their association with overall survival (OS) in 189 pts undergoing ASCT for FL. Baseline characteristics included: median age = 47 years (range, 24 – 64), stage III–IV = 94%, &gt;4 nodal areas = 7.7%, elevated LDH = 30%, &gt;5 cm maximal bulk of disease = 18%, chemoresistant disease = 13%, median number of prior chemotherapy regimens = 2. The FL histologies included: Grade 1 (49%), Grade 2 (31%), Grade 3 (13%), and transformation to diffuse large B-cell lymphoma (6%). Patients were conditioned with chemotherapy-only (21%), chemo+TBI (45%), or radioimmunotherapy +/− chemo (34%). Among all pts, the five-year estimated OS and PFS are 58% and 39%, respectively, with a median follow-up among surviving pts of 8 years (range, 1 – 18). The five factors that were found to be most significantly associated with OS include two FLIPI factors [age, hazard ratio for death (HR) = 1.37 per ten-year increase in age; elevated LDH, HR = 1.57] and three other clinical factors [&gt;1 maximal extranodal site of disease, HR = 1.67; ≥2 prior chemotherapy regimens, HR = 1.99; chemoresistant disease, HR = 2.8]. Patients with 0 – 1 adverse factors (with age dichotomized as &lt; 45 vs. ≥ 45) had an estimated 5-year OS of 79%, those with 2 factors 50%, 3 factors 41%, 4 or 5 factors 13% (Figure). Although prospective validation of this proposed model is required, this approach may be used to counsel FL pts regarding expected outcome following ASCT, to compare data between trials, and to design future studies. Figure Figure

Follicular Lymphoma International Prognostic Index 2: A New Prognostic Index for Follicular Lymphoma Developed by the International Follicular Lymphoma Prognostic Factor Project

2009 ◽  
Vol 27 (27) ◽  
pp. 4555-4562 ◽  
Author(s):  
Massimo Federico ◽  
Monica Bellei ◽  
Luigi Marcheselli ◽  
Stefano Luminari ◽  
Armando Lopez-Guillermo ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
High Risk ◽  
Follicular Lymphoma ◽  
Bone Marrow Involvement ◽  
International Prognostic Index ◽  
Prognostic Index ◽  
Progression Free Survival ◽  
Free Survival ◽  
Study Population ◽  
Index 2

Purpose The aim of the F2 study was to verify whether a prospective collection of data would enable the development of a more accurate prognostic index for follicular lymphoma (FL) by using parameters which could not be retrospectively studied before, and by choosing progression-free survival (PFS) as principal end point. Patients and Methods Between January 2003 and May 2005, 1,093 patients with a newly diagnosed FL were registered and 942 individuals receiving antilymphoma therapy were selected as the study population. The variables we used for score definition were selected by means of bootstrap resampling procedures on 832 patients with complete data. Procedures to select the model that would minimize errors were also performed. Results After a median follow-up of 38 months, 261 events for PFS evaluation were recorded. β2-microglobulin higher than the upper limit of normal, longest diameter of the largest involved node longer than 6 cm, bone marrow involvement, hemoglobin level lower than 12 g/dL, and age older than 60 years were factors independently predictive for PFS. Using these variables, a prognostic model was devised to identify three groups at different levels of risk. The 3-year PFS rate was 91%, 69%, and 51% for patients at low, intermediate, and high risk, respectively (log-rank = 64.6; P < .00001). The 3-year survival rate was 99%, 96%, and 84% for patients at low, intermediate, and high risk, respectively (P < .0001). Conclusion Follicular Lymphoma International Prognostic Index 2 is a simple prognostic index based on easily available clinical data and may represent a promising new tool for the identification of patients with FL at different risk in the era of immunochemotherapy.

scholarly journals Maintenance Rituximab After Cyclophosphamide, Vincristine, and Prednisone Prolongs Progression-Free Survival in Advanced Indolent Lymphoma: Results of the Randomized Phase III ECOG1496 Study

2009 ◽  
Vol 27 (10) ◽  
pp. 1607-1614 ◽  
Author(s):  
Howard Hochster ◽  
Edie Weller ◽  
Randy D. Gascoyne ◽  
Thomas M. Habermann ◽  
Leo I. Gordon ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Follicular Lymphoma ◽  
Residual Disease ◽  
International Prognostic Index ◽  
Prognostic Index ◽  
Progression Free Survival ◽  
Tumor Burden ◽  
Phase Iii ◽  
Indolent Lymphoma ◽  
Free Survival ◽  
Rank One

Purpose To determine if maintenance rituximab (MR) after standard chemotherapy improves progression-free survival (PFS) in advanced-stage indolent lymphoma. Patients and Methods Patients with stage III-IV indolent lymphoma with responding or stable disease after cyclophosphamide, vincristine, and prednisone (CVP) chemotherapy were stratified by initial tumor burden, residual disease after CVP (minimal or gross), and histology, and randomly assigned to observation (OBS) or MR 375 mg/m2 once per week for 4 weeks every 6 months for 2 years. PFS was the primary end point. Results Three hundred eleven (282 with follicular lymphoma) evaluable patients who received CVP were randomly assigned to OBS (n = 158) or MR (n = 153). Best response improved in 22% MR versus 7% OBS patients (P = .00006). Toxicity was minimal in both study arms. Three-year PFS after random assignment was 68% MR versus 33% OBS (hazard ratio [HR] = 0.4; P = 4.4 × 10−10 [all patients]) and 64% MR v 33% OBS (HR = 0.4; P = 9.2 × 10−8 [patients with follicular lymphoma]). There was an advantage for MR regardless of Follicular Lymphoma International Prognostic Index score, tumor burden, residual disease, or histology. In multivariate analysis of MR patients, minimal disease after CVP was a favorable prognostic factor. OS at 3 years was 92% MR versus 86% OBS (HR = 0.6; log-rank one-sided P = .05) and, among patients with follicular lymphoma, OS was 91% MR versus 86% (HR = 0.6; log-rank one-sided P = .08). A trend favoring MR was observed among patients with high tumor burden (log-rank one-sided P = .03). Conclusion The E1496 study provides the first phase III data in untreated indolent lymphoma that MR after chemotherapy significantly prolongs PFS.

scholarly journals Ofatumumab monotherapy in rituximab-refractory follicular lymphoma: results from a multicenter study

Blood ◽  
2012 ◽  
Vol 119 (16) ◽  
pp. 3698-3704 ◽  
Author(s):  
Myron S. Czuczman ◽  
Luis Fayad ◽  
Vincent Delwail ◽  
Guillaume Cartron ◽  
Eric Jacobsen ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Follicular Lymphoma ◽  
Overall Response Rate ◽  
Response Rate ◽  
International Prognostic Index ◽  
Prognostic Index ◽  
Progression Free Survival ◽  
Free Survival ◽  
Overall Response ◽  
Median Progression Free Survival ◽  
Grade 3

Abstract New treatments are required for rituximab-refractory follicular lymphoma (FL). In the present study, patients with rituximab-refractory FL received 8 weekly infusions of ofatumumab (CD20 mAb; dose 1, 300 mg and doses 2-8, 500 or 1000 mg; N = 116). The median age of these patients was 61 years, 47% had high-risk Follicular Lymphoma International Prognostic Index scores, 65% were chemotherapy-refractory, and the median number of prior therapies was 4. The overall response rate was 13% and 10% for the 500-mg and 1000-mg arms, respectively. Among 27 patients refractory to rituximab monotherapy, the overall response rate was 22%. The median progression-free survival was 5.8 months. Forty-six percent of patients demonstrated tumor reduction 3 months after therapy initiation, and the median progression-free survival for these patients was 9.1 months. The most common adverse events included infections, rash, urticaria, fatigue, and pruritus. Three patients experienced grade 3 infusion-related reactions, none of which were considered serious events. Grade 3-4 neutropenia, leukopenia, anemia, and thrombocytopenia occurred in a subset of patients. Ofatumumab was well tolerated and modestly active in this heavily pretreated, rituximab-refractory population and is therefore now being studied in less refractory FL and in combination with other agents in various B-cell neoplasms. The present study was registered at www.clinicaltrials.gov as NCT00394836.

scholarly journals Follicular lymphoma: evolving therapeutic strategies

Blood ◽  
2016 ◽  
Vol 127 (17) ◽  
pp. 2055-2063 ◽  
Author(s):  
Brad S. Kahl ◽  
David T. Yang
Keyword(s):  
High Risk ◽  
Follicular Lymphoma ◽  
Randomized Clinical Trials ◽  
International Prognostic Index ◽  
Prognostic Index ◽  
Predictive Biomarkers ◽  
Progression Free Survival ◽  
Western Hemisphere ◽  
Targeted Agents ◽  
Poor Outcomes

Abstract Follicular lymphoma (FL) is the most common indolent non-Hodgkin lymphoma in the Western hemisphere. After decades of stagnation, the natural history of FL appears to have been favorably impacted by the introduction of rituximab. Randomized clinical trials have demonstrated that the addition of rituximab to standard chemotherapy induction has improved the overall survival. Maintenance rituximab strategies can improve progression-free survival. Even chemotherapy platforms have changed in the past 5 years, as bendamustine combined with rituximab has rapidly become a standard frontline strategy in North America and parts of Europe. Recent discoveries have identified patients at high risk for poor outcomes to first-line therapy (m7–Follicular Lymphoma International Prognostic Index [m7-FLIPI]) and for poor outcomes after frontline therapy (National LymphoCare Study). However, several unmet needs remain, including a better ability to identify high-risk patients at diagnosis, the development of predictive biomarkers for targeted agents, and strategies to reduce the risk of transformation. The development of targeted agents, exploiting our current understanding of FL biology, is a high research priority. A multitude of novel therapies are under investigation in both the frontline and relapsed/refractory settings. It will be critical to identify the most appropriate populations for new agents and to develop validated surrogate end points, so that novel agents can be tested (and adopted, if appropriate) efficiently.

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