Elderly Patients with Mantle Cell Lymphoma (MCL) – Efficacy and Feasibility of Prolonged Immunochemotherapy with Rituximab, Cytarabine and Fludarabine Added to CHOP and Followed by Rituximab Maintenance Treatment. A Prospective Study by the Finnish Lymphoma Group

Blood ◽  
2008 ◽  
Vol 112 (11) ◽  
pp. 1001-1001
Author(s):  
Erkki Elonen ◽  
Riikka Räty ◽  
Tuomo Honkanen ◽  
Esa Jantunen ◽  
Sirkku Jyrkkiö ◽  
...  

Abstract Background: The Nordic Lymphoma Group has shown that adding cytarabine (AraC) and rituximab (R) to high dose CHOP and autologous stem cell transplantation increases response rate, event free survival (EFS), progression free survival (PFS) and overall survival (OS) of patients (pts) with MCL < 65 years (Geisler et al, Blood 2008). About 50% of pts with MCL are older than 65 years. Most of them are not candidates for high dose chemotherapy or transplantations and no satisfactory standard treatment is known for them. In this prospective pilot trial for elderly pts we explored the feasibility and efficacy of a prolonged standard dose induction treatment (10 cycles) with potentially synergistic combinations followed by R maintenance. Methods: Eligible were pts with histologically confirmed MCL (WHO criteria), CD5+, CD19/20+, cyclinD1+, age > 65 years, with adequate organ functions and performance status < 4. Induction: standard dose R-CHOP (cycles 1, 3, 5), R-AraC (R 375mg/m2 x 1, AraC 1g/m2 4 doses with 12 hrs intervals, cycles 2, 4), R-AraC with fludarabine (F) (2 doses of F 25 mg/m2, cycles 6 – 8), CHOP (cycles 9–10). Maintenance for pts with CR/PR: R 375 mg/m2 bimonthly x 12. Diagnostic workup included physical examination, CT scan, histological lymph node biopsy, bone marrow aspiration and biopsy, and immunohistology or flow cytometry of the diagnostic material. Endoscopies were performed for symptomatic patients. Responses were evaluated according to revised criteria (Cheson et al JCO 2007) after 5th, 8th, 10th cycles and after that every 6 months. Results: Thirty four pts were recruited. Age median 74 years (67–79 years). Performance status 0 n=12, 1 n=16, 2 n=3, 3 n=3. Stage IIA n=1, IVA n=20, IVB n=13. International prognostic index IPI 2 n=10, 3 n=13, 4 n=9, 5 n=2. Response to induction: CR 23, CRu 6, PR 3, PD 1, not evaluable 1. The response of 7 pts improved with cycles 6 to 8 (R-AraC with F). At diagnosis 32 pts had bone marrow involvement. At best response 24/25 pts with bone marrow involvement studied and CR (n=17), CRu (n=6) or PR (CTscan positive, n=1) were negative in flow cytometry (sensitivity 10−3–10−4). One patient with PR had residual MCL in flow cytometry. Median follow-up time of living patients is 26 months, range 6–43 months. There have been 8 events: progression or relapse 4, secondary AML 1, sudden cardiac death in CR 1, and 2 responding patients withdrew their concents. At 30 months EFS is 72%, PFS 77%, time to progression 85%, and OS 80%. Three pts have discontinued induction after 6,7 or 8 cycles due to toxicity but remain in CR. Infections grade 3 occurred in 8 pts and grade 4 in 1 patient. Eight pts have had transient neutropenia < 0.5 x 109/l during maintenance treatment. Conclusions: Elderly patients with MCL and with good performance status could be treated relatively intensively with moderate toxicity when supported with G-CSF. In historical comparison to CHOP, R, AraC and F increase response rate and prolong PFS, TTP and OS. Flow cytometry is a powerful tool to study bone marrow involvement at diagnosis and minimal residual disease. A longer follow-up is needed to evaluate the maintenance treatment but several patients have developed transient grade 4 neutropenia during maintenance treatment after this induction schedule.

1993 ◽  
Vol 11 (6) ◽  
pp. 1132-1143 ◽  
Author(s):  
W P Peters ◽  
M Ross ◽  
J J Vredenburgh ◽  
B Meisenberg ◽  
L B Marks ◽  
...  

PURPOSE We studied high-dose cyclophosphamide, cisplatin, and carmustine (CPA/cDDP/BCNU) with autologous bone marrow support (ABMS) as consolidation after standard-dose adjuvant chemotherapy treatment of primary breast cancer involving 10 or more axillary lymph nodes. PATIENTS AND METHODS One hundred two women with stage IIA, IIB, IIIA, or IIIB breast cancer involving 10 or more lymph nodes at surgery were registered; 85 were eligible, treated, and assessable. Patients were treated with four cycles of standard-dose cyclophosphamide, doxorubicin, and fluorouracil (CAF), followed by high-dose CPA/cDDP/BCNU with ABMS. RESULTS Actuarial event-free survival for the study patients at a median follow-up of 2.5 years is 72% (95% confidence interval, 56% to 82%). Comparison to three historical or concurrent Cancer and Leukemia Group B (CALGB) adjuvant chemotherapy trials selected for similar patients showed event-free survival at 2.5 years to be between 38% and 52%. Therapy-related mortality was 12%; pulmonary toxicity of variable severity occurred in 31% of patients. Quality-of-life evaluations indicate that patients are functioning well without major impairments. CONCLUSION High-dose consolidation with CPA/cDDP/BCNU and ABMS after standard-dose CAF results in a decreased frequency of relapse in patients with high-risk primary breast cancer compared with historical series at the median follow-up of 2.5 years. Evaluation in a prospective, randomized trial is warranted and currently underway.


Blood ◽  
2004 ◽  
Vol 104 (11) ◽  
pp. 8-8
Author(s):  
Christian H. Geisler ◽  
Erkki Elonen ◽  
Arne Kolstad ◽  
Anna Laurell ◽  
Niels S. Andersen ◽  
...  

Abstract Methods: In the Nordic Lymphoma Group MCL Project newly diagnosed stage II-IV MCL patients < 66 years receive induction treatment and peripheral-blood stem-cell (PBSC) harvest, followed by BEAM/BEAC with PBSC support. In the MCL1 Protocol, the induction was maxi-CHOP x 3 (CTX 1200 mg/m2, doxorubicin 75 mg/m2, VCR 2mg D1, prednisolone 100 mg D1-5). Stem-cells were mobilised by maxi-CHOP + G-CSF. Because of the high failure rate in MCL1 (Figure 1) the MCL2 protocol was activated adding 2 series of high-dose Ara-C (3g/m2 BID D1-2) and 2 standard doses of rituximab (R) (375 mg/m2) to the induction program. Stem cells were mobilised by Ara-C + G-CSF + rituximab D1 + D9 for in-vivo purging. In both protocols patient-specific molecular markers were sought established before treatment start, and stem-cells and follow-up blood and bone-marrow samples assessed for MCL by PCR or flow cytometry. Results: Table 1 Compared Results of the Nordic Lymphoma Group MCL1 and MCL2 Protocols NORDIC MCL PROTOCOL # MCL1 (1997–2000) MCL2 (2000-) P value Supported by the Nordic Cancer Union No. of Pts included/eval. for response 42/42 120/88 Response pretransplant 31/42 86/88 0.002 CR/resp pretransplant 11/31 51/86 0.04 No. transplanted 27 86 Eval. for response posttransplant 27 82 CR/Response posttransplant 25/27 76/82 NS Molecular response posttransplant 5/13 38/42 0.0003 PCR-neg. stem-cell products (of tested) 2/16 22/25 0.00005 3-year failure-free survival (104 pts eval.) 24% 68% 0.0001 3-year relapse-free survival (RFS) 45% 76% 0.04 3-year molecular RFS survival ND 67% 3-year overall survival 60% 85% 0.02 Posttransplant maintenance treatment: In MCL2, patients in clinical stable response but molecular relapse are offered R 4 std. doses. So far, isolated molecular relapse occurred in 11 pts. of whom 10 received R: Four became PCR neg., one did not respond and later relapsed, five are not yet evaluable. Conclusion: By comparing MCL1 results with preliminary results of the still ongoing MCL2 study we conclude that the addition of HD Ara-C and R to the induction treatment significantly increases the • clinical response rate pretransplant • molecular response rate • No. of tumor-cell free grafts • failure-free, relapse-free and overall survival Rituximab maintenance treatment can induce 2nd molecular remission, the clinical significance hereof still unknown. Figure Figure


Blood ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 136 (Supplement 1) ◽  
pp. 39-40
Author(s):  
Sarah Farag ◽  
Ulrike Bacher ◽  
Myriam Legros ◽  
Daniel Betticher ◽  
Jean-Marc Lüthi ◽  
...  

Introduction: Consolidation of first-line induction treatment in myeloma (MM) patients (pts) with 200 mg/m2 melphalan chemotherapy (HDCT) and autologous stem cell transplantation (ASCT) was established as standard of care three decades ago. However, definite cure in myeloma patients remains exceptional due to residual disease escaping intensive treatment, and almost all patients will ultimately relapse at earlier or later time points following ASCT. Thus, improving efficacy of HDCT in MM remains an unresolved issue. Methods: We performed a phase-II randomized trial comparing standard 200 mg/m2 Melphalan (Mel) HDCT to experimental HDCT treatment with 200 mg/m2 bendamustine, a bifunctional alkylating agent, given at days -4 and -3, combined with 200 mg/m2 melphalan split on days -2 and -1 at 100 mg/m2 (BenMel) before ASCT in MM pts. Patients had up to four cycles of first-line induction treatment with bortezomib, lenalidomide and dexamethasone. After ASCT, pts received lenalidomide maintenance treatment for two years. The primary endpoint was to show a 15% improvement of the rate of complete remission (sCR+CR) after HDCT with BenMel compared to Mel alone. MRD assessment from the bone marrow was performed by multiparameter flow cytometry after hematological engraftment following HDCT/ASCT. MRD negativity was defined as clonal plasma cells below 10(-5). Results: We randomized 120 myeloma pts (60 patients in each arm), with high-risk genetic abnormalities present in 21.3% of the patients. The median age was 63 years (range 35-74). The sCR/CR rate after ASCT before initiation of lenalidomide maintenance treatment was better in the BenMel arm compared to Mel alone (70.0% vs 51.7%; p=.039). The post-ASCT remission rates in detail were sCR 40.0% vs 31.7% (p=.341); CR 30.0% vs 20.0% (p=.205); VGPR 16.7% vs 33.3% (p=.035); and PR 13.3% vs 15.0% (p=.793). MRD negativity assessed in the bone marrow by flow cytometry was observed in 26 (45.6%) of the BenMel treated pts compared to 22 (37.9%) of the Mel pts. Median time until neutrophil engraftment was 11 days after BenMel vs 12 days after Mel (p=.096), and median time until platelet engraftment was 13 days in both arms (p=0.367); all pts had full engraftment of both cell lineages. Prolonged hospitalization duration was seen in BenMel pts (median 19 vs 18 days; p=.006) due to the longer BenMel treatment administration. Fully reversible acute renal insufficiency occurred in three (5%) BenMel pts compared to none of the Mel pts (p=.250). No treatment-related mortality was seen in both groups. ICU admissions were necessary in 3 pts (5%) in the BenMel group (ARDS, septic shock, pulmonary failure), and 2 Mel treated pts (3.3%; due to pulmonary failure and decompensated cardiomyopathy). The PFS rates at 12 months were 95% in BenMel pts and 91% in Mel treated pts (p=.551). OS at 12 months was 96% for both groups (p=.262), and median PFS and OS were not reached in both groups. Conclusions: Our data confirm that high-dose bendamustine combined with melphalan HDCT before ASCT in MM patients is safe and well tolerated. In particular, bendamustine-associated renal toxicity was manageable and reversible in all patients, and hematopoietic engraftment was comparable to standard melphalan HDCT. HDCT with BenMel improves the sCR/CR rate compared to standard melphalan alone. Thus, BenMel HDCT before ASCT warrants further investigation aiming to improve the long-term survival rates of MM patients, eventually combined with new maintenance strategies in the post-transplant period. Figure 1 Disclosures No relevant conflicts of interest to declare.


Blood ◽  
2004 ◽  
Vol 104 (11) ◽  
pp. 1163-1163
Author(s):  
Sam O. Wanko ◽  
Jon P. Gocherman ◽  
Joseph O. Moore ◽  
Carlos Decastro ◽  
Robert Prosnitz ◽  
...  

Abstract BACKGROUND: Mantle cell lymphoma (MCL) typically has a poor outcome with overall survival of only 3–4 years. Higher treatment response and event-free survival has been demonstrated with aggressive high dose chemotherapy followed by autologous hematopoietic stem cell support, though long term cure rates remain unclear(Dreger P. Hematol J. 2000;vol.2). Modest response rates have also been reported with the monoclonal antibody (MoAb) rituximab and ALEMTUZUMAB (Foran, JM. JCO 2000; vol. 2. Faderl S. Blood 2003; vol. 9). We therefore combined dose-dense therapy with MoAbs to explore response rate and event free survival (EFS) in mantle cell lymphoma. The strength of this trial design is ability to follow all patients from induction chemotherapy through high dose therapy and transplant in order to gauge clinical outcome on all enrolled patients, not just the subpopulation who is able to proceed to high dose therapy. PATIENTS AND METHODS: Induction therapy consisted of 1 cycle of high dose cytarabine (3gm/m2 IV over 1 hour Q12H for 8 doses), mitoxantrone (10mg/m2 daily for 3 days), and ALEMTUZUMAB 30mg IV 3 times a week for 6 weeks with growth factor support. All responding patients were mobilized with cyclophosphamide 4gm/m2 and G-CSF 10 mcg/kg/day and/or bone marrow harvest. The transplant preparative regimen was carmustine 15mg/kg over 2 hours day -6, etoposide 60mg/kg over 4 hours day -4, and cyclophosphamide 100mg/kg over 2 hours day -2 followed by autologous reinfusion on day zero. Consolidation was given with rituximab 375mg/m2 weekly for 4 doses at 6 weeks and 6 months post transplant. RESULT: 9 patients with advanced disease (7 stage IV, 1 stage III, 1 stage IIA) and median age of 60 (48 – 65 years) have been accrued and treated since February 2003. Four were newly diagnosed and 5 had relapsed/refractory disease. Seventy eight percent (7/9) had complete response and 22% (2/9) had partial response (PR) following induction therapy. One patient had severe infection after induction and was unable to proceed to transplant. Another had constitutional decline preventing further therapy and each died within 4 months of withdrawal from the protocol. Both had relapse/refractory disease at accrual. The remaining 7 patients proceeded to the transplant phase. With a median follow-up of 7 months (range 3–16 months), all 7 patients remain in CR for 1 –16 months. Significant induction therapy toxicity included neutropenia in all 9 patients with average duration of 10.7 days, non-disseminated CMV reactivation in 44% of patients, one overwhelming fungal infection, and one patient with delay in engraftment. Figure Figure CONCLUSION: Our preliminary data show a high induction and transplant phase completion rate, manageable toxicity, and excellent overall response rate in this group of elderly patients with advanced disease. Larger numbers of patients and longer follow-up is needed to confirm these promising results.


Blood ◽  
2004 ◽  
Vol 104 (11) ◽  
pp. 4703-4703 ◽  
Author(s):  
Giuseppe Mele ◽  
Clelia Musto ◽  
Rosella Matera ◽  
Maria Luigia Vigliotti ◽  
Alfredo Tartarone ◽  
...  

Abstract Several studies showed that the response rate to standard dose of recombinant Human Erythropoietin (rHuEPO) in MDS patients is generally low, with only few cases presenting a significant increase of haemoglobin (Hb) levels. So, currently, the interest has focused on the use of high dose rHuEPO. The rationale for using high dose rHuEPO was elucidated: residual normal stem cells and/or abnormal clone of MDS stem cells, unresponsive to low levels of endogenous EPO, might respond to high doses of rHuEPO. The aim of this study was to assess the efficacy and safety of high dose rHuEPO treatment. EPO alfa 40.000 IU was given subcutaneously twice weekly for 4 weeks. Twenty-five patients with low-risk MDS (17 RA and 8 RARS) and Hb levels ≤ 10 g/dL were included in this study; sixteen patients were female and 9 male; mean age of enrolled patients was 74 years (range 66 – 85). Twenty-two of 25 patients completed the scheduled treatment and were evaluated for response. At 4 weeks eighteen of 22 patients (81%) showed a Hb mayor response (Hb increase ≥ 2 g/dL); Hb mean value at baseline was 8,15 g/dL (range 7 – 10), at 4 weeks was 13,15 g/dL (range 10 – 14,6). In 4 of 22 patients (19%) the high dose rHuEPO did not induce an increase of Hb levels after 4 weeks of treatment; in addition, these patients needed of RBC transfusions to maintain Hb levels ≥ 8 g/dL. The failure of treatment with rHuEPO occurred in patients with diagnosis of RARS. In our study there were no statistically significant differences between the group of patients with erythroid hyperplasia and the group of patients with normal percent of bone marrow erythroid cells (P = 0,4); no significant difference was noted in response rates between patients with RBC pre-treatment transfusion need and those with stable anaemia without prior transfusion (P = 0,09). In our study, Hb mayor response occurred also in one patient with marked marrow fibrosis. In this study all patients presented defective endogenous EPO production related to their degree of anaemia, with serum EPO levels ≤ 100 mU/ml (mean value 43,5; range 6 – 98). The responder patients need continuous maintenance treatment to maintain their response; EPO alfa 40.000 IU was given subcutaneously once a week; at 12 weeks overall response rate was 77%: 13/18 patients maintained their mayor response, 4/18 patients showed decreased Hb levels in comparison to initial response (Hb decrease > 1 < 2 g/dL), 1 patient progressed on RAEB. Hb mean value at 12 weeks was 11,8 g/dL (range 9,2 – 13,5). The median duration of maintenance of the erythroid response was 7,5 months (range 2 – 24 months). Treatment with high dose of rHuEPO is well tolerated; only one adverse event of arterial hypertension of moderate severity was reported as possible episode related to treatment. In conclusion, our study shows that, in low-risk MDS patients with defective endogenous EPO production, EPO alfa 40.000 IU, given subcutaneous twice weekly for 4 weeks, induces rapid, significant and persistent increase of Hb, without important adverse events; continuous maintenance treatment with 40.000 IU/w is necessary for the majority of the responding patients to maintain their response.


Blood ◽  
2004 ◽  
Vol 104 (11) ◽  
pp. 5234-5234
Author(s):  
Elise A. Chong ◽  
Charalambos Andreadis ◽  
Stephen J. Schuster ◽  
Selina M. Luger ◽  
David L. Porter ◽  
...  

Abstract Introduction: High-dose chemotherapy and autologous stem cell transplant (ASCT) can result in long term survival for patients with advanced non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma (NHL) but relapse remains a common cause of treatment failure. Bone marrow (BM) involvement is common in NHL and there is controversy over whether or not reinfusion of BM stem cells contaminated by clonogenic tumor cells is a major cause of relapse following ASCT. Bone marrow purging can reduce the number of tumor cells in vitro, but the impact on relapse and disease free survival (DFS) remains unknown. Methods: Between 1990 and 1993, 20 pts with poor prognosis NHL (B-symptoms, high LDH, bulky adenopathy, stage III or IV, or relapsed disease) at high risk for BM involvement underwent 4-hydroperoxycyclophosphamide (4-hc) purged BM transplantation. Thirteen pts had low grade B-cell NHL, 6 had an intermediate grade B-cell NHL with a small B-cell component, and 1 had T-lymphoblastic lymphoma. Seven of 20 pts had received ≥3 prior chemotherapeutic regimens. Three pts underwent transplantation in first complete remission and 17 pts were in chemotherapy-responsive relapse. At diagnosis, 11 of 20 pts had documented BM involvement, and at ASCT, 6 of 20 pts had BM involvement (all < 5% involvement at BM harvest). Eighteen pts (90%) received 4-hc purged autologous BM, and 2 pts (10%) received 4-hc purged autologous BM and peripheral stem cell support. High dose regimens included Cytoxan/TBI (85%), BCV(10%), and Melphalan/TBI (5%). The median age was 45 yrs (range: 20–57 yrs). The median nucleated cell count of 4-hc marrow that was reinfused was 2.4 × 108 /kg (range: 0.87–5.5). The median time to granulocyte recovery was 26 days (range: 14–59). Two pts died at days 31 and 35 without achieving platelet transfusion independence. In the remaining 18 pts, the last platelet transfusion was given at a median of 29 days post-marrow infusion (range 18–149), and the median in-patient hospital days was 27 (range: 16–82 days). Results: There were 2 deaths (fungal infection and CNS relapse) during ASCT. One pt died in CR after developing secondary AML 5.34 yrs after ASCT. Post-ASCT, 18 of 20 pts achieved CR (including 1 pt who had no evidence of disease at autopsy), 1 pt had a PR, and 1 pt died during BMT and was not evaluable for response. Median follow-up for the group was 8.2 yrs (range: 0.1–12.4 yrs). At last follow-up, 9 pts remain in CR (1 died of AML in CR), 5 pts had relapsed and remain alive, and 5 pts died of progressive disease. Median follow-up for survivors was 11.1 yrs (range: 5.2–12.4 yrs). 65% of pts remain alive at last follow-up. The median EFS was 9.4 yrs (range: 0.1–12.4 yrs). Those who achieved a CR post-ASCT had a median DFS of 10.6 yrs (range: 1.1–12.4 yrs). At 8.2 yrs, 4/6 pts with involved BM at the time of harvest had relapsed or died compared to 7/14 pts with negative BM which is not significantly different. Conclusion: ASCT using 4-hc BM purging is feasible and can result in long term relapse free survival, even for pts with subtypes of NHL at high risk for BM involvement. Whether 4-hc BM purging is equivalent or superior to immunologic approaches to stem cell processing remains to be determined.


Blood ◽  
2007 ◽  
Vol 110 (11) ◽  
pp. 2037-2037
Author(s):  
Ahmad A. Tarhini ◽  
S. Land ◽  
L. Pietragallo ◽  
A. Laman ◽  
M. Sulecki ◽  
...  

Abstract Introduction Standard FCR therapy in untreated CLL patients (F-25 mg/m2 d1–3 q 4wk; C-250 mg/m2 d 1–3 q 4wk; R-500 mg/m2 d1 q 4wk for 6 cycles) was reported to have complete remissions (CR) of 70% and overall responses (OR) of 95% (J Clin Oncol2005;23:4079). The major toxicity was grade 3/4 neutropenia during 52% of treatment courses. One approach to decrease neutropenia without compromising efficacy could be by reducing the doses of F and C and increasing the dose of R. Methods We conducted a phase II study for previously untreated advanced CLL patients treated with FCR-Lite (F-20mg/m2 d1–3 q 4 wk; C-150 mg/m2 d1–3 q 4 wk; R-500mg/m2 d1 and d14 q 4wks; maintenance R-500 mg/m2 ×1 q 3 months until progression). A Simon two-stage design was used where 15 patients were accrued in the first stage and because of acceptable toxicity and response rate in stage I an additional 35 patients were treated. The primary endpoint was response rate. Results A total of 50 patients were entered into this study and 42 are currently evaluable. There were 29 male and 13 female patients with an age range of 36–85 years (median 58) treated with a total of 236 courses of FCR-Lite. All 42 patients were evaluable for toxicity. Grade 3/4 neutropenia occurred during 29 (12%) courses with two episodes of neutropenic fever. One patient had cellulitis, another had pneumonia (not neutropenic). Grade 3/4 thrombocytopenia occurred during 7 (3%) courses and grade III/IV anemia during 6 (2.5%) courses. Among the 40 evaluable patients for response, the CR rate was 85%, PR rate was 15% with an OR rate of 100%. All of the CR patients were tested by flow cytometry and had &lt;1% CD5+/CD19+ cells in their bone marrow after therapy. One patient with potential CR was excluded due to the absence of follow up bone marrow biopsy. Minimal residual disease (MRD) was tested by four color flow cytometry (sensitivity 0.01%) in 8 patients with CR (Genzyme Genetics Corp.). Seven had no evidence of MRD at 7, 8, 8, 14, 22, 25 and 30 months respectively, post CR, and one patient had 0.03% and 0.06% when tested at 12 and 18 months post CR respectively. Conclusions Our results in 42 patients suggest FCR-Lite is highly effective with considerably less grade 3/4 neutropenia than standard FCR. Complete responders had no detectable CD5+/CD19+ cells in their bone marrow following FCR-Lite. MRD testing is currently underway for all patients.


Blood ◽  
2007 ◽  
Vol 110 (11) ◽  
pp. 3605-3605 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jonathan L. Kaufman ◽  
Charise Gleason ◽  
Leonard Heffner ◽  
Sagar Lonial

Abstract The optimal induction regimen for patients with symptomatic myeloma who are eligible for transplantation is currently unknown. While thalidomide and dexamethasone is an effective regimen, it only has a 60 to 65% response rate and few complete responses (CR). Bortezomib based inductions have demonstrated a high response rate and an improved CR as well. Recently the IFM reported the initial results of the randomized bortezomib plus dexamethasone versus VAD induction followed by transplant, which demonstrated that fewer patients treated with bortezomib required tandem transplants. Wang et al reported a high induction response rate with the combination of BTD for only 2 cycles given over a 28 day cycle. Here we report our experience with the combination of BTD as induction therapy. 38 patients with symptomatic myeloma were treated with BTD as induction therapy. Patients received standard dose and schedule bortezomib at 1.3 mg/m2 on days 1, 4, 8, and 11 with thalidomide at 100 mg/day, and 8 days of 40 mg dexamethasone every 21 days. The median age was 58 years (38–70) with 19 males. This was first line therapy for 29 patients, second line for 7 patients and 3rd line for 2. 12 patients had ISS stage 2 and 8 had ISS stage 3. The median β2M was 3.4 (1.66–41.89). Median creatinine was 1.1 (0.6–21.0). Nineteen patients had an IgG paraprotein, 6 an IgA, and 16 patients had light chain disease. The median number of cycles administered was 4 (2–8). Fifteen patients developed neuropathy of any grade. One patient developed grade 3 neuropathy. The overall response rate (CR, VGPR, plus PR) was 92%, with 58% of patients achieving a VGPR or better, and 21% of patients achieving an immunofixation negative CR. 1 patient had a minimal response and 2 patients had progressive disease (both patients presented with plasma cell leukemia). These two patients were treated with the combination of BTD with PACE chemotherapy. One of the two died from progressive disease and the other patient remains in complete remission after high dose therapy and autologous transplantation. 29 patients had consolidation therapy with high dose melphalan and autologous peripheral blood stem cell transplantation. Eight patients have collected stem cells without proceeding with immediate consolidation therapy. After a median follow up of 373 days, median progression free survival and overall survival have not been reached. One year overall survival is 97%. One year progression free survival is 87%. In conclusion, we report a very high response rate with a short course of bortezomib, thalidomide and dexamethasone with an acceptable toxicity profile. Follow up of patients in CR treated without high dose therapy and autologous transplant is in progress. Further studies of this active regimen are warranted.


Blood ◽  
2013 ◽  
Vol 122 (21) ◽  
pp. 4330-4330
Author(s):  
Christina Tsao ◽  
Kate Fisher ◽  
Ji-Hyun Lee ◽  
Julio C Chavez ◽  
Samir Dalia ◽  
...  

Abstract Background Diffuse large b-cell lymphoma (DLBCL) with CNS relapse or progression has a poor prognosis. Prior studies noted certain factors which increased the risk of CNS relapse: bone marrow involvement, type as well as number (1+) of extra-nodal sites, age over 60, and increasing International Prognostic Index (IPI) score. However, these were prior to the advent of rituximab (R), which has been suggested to lower CNS relapse when used in combination with CHOP therapy. To our knowledge, no one has looked at the incidence of CNS relapse with regards to extranodal disease in the rituximab era. Methods Retrospective chart review of patients with DLBCL treated with multiagent induction therapy including rituximab from July‘08 to Jan’12 at Moffitt Cancer Center. Age, stage, IPI score, extra-nodal site, number of nodal sites, and use of intrathecal prophylaxis (IT), were evaluated for their impact on the risk of developing CNS relapse. For those who had complete response to initial therapy, time to progression(TTP) for CNS relapse was measured from completion date of first set of chemo cycles to date of CNS relapse (those who did not CNS relapse were censored at last follow up). TTP was censored at 6 years. Progression free survival(PFS) was measured from date of diagnosis to date of CNS or systemic relapse or death (those who were alive without relapse were censored at last follow up). Overall survival (OS) was measure from date of diagnosis to date of death. Stratified Kaplan Meier curves(with log rank p-values) and Cox PH models(with Wald p-values) were used to explore potential risk factors associated with relapse. Results Sixty-four patients with DLBCL who received induction therapy were evaluated: median age (range) = 65 (24-93) years; male =56%; IPI scores at diagnosis: 1 (43.8%), 2(21.9%), 3(15.6%); median length of follow up from time of diagnosis = 32 months. All the patients received a regimen containing rituximab, and 92% of patients received R-Chop as treatment. IT prophylaxis with methotrexate was used in 28% of the patients. Incidence of CNS relapse in our study population= 17.3% (n=9) The risk of CNS relapse varied depending on the extranodal site. Those with bone marrow and/or musculoskeletal involvement had an increased risk, with 78% of the CNS relapses occurring in patients with one or both of these sites of involvement. The hazard ratio (HR) for CNS relapse for patients with bone marrow and musculoskeletal involvement was 2.53 and 2.74, respectively (p=0.20 and p=0.13). Other extranodal sites of disease such as visceral organs, genital urinary tract, nasopharynx, or skin did not seem to significantly contribute to the risk of CNS relapse. Patients with bone marrow involvement also had an inferior overall survival (HR=3.05, Wald p=0.02) (see figure 1). Though not statistically significant (log rank p=0.126), those receiving IT methotrexate prophylaxis appear to have longer PFS than those who did not, with 83% alive without relapse at 6 years compared to 43% (see figure 2). Conclusions Despite the addition of rituximab to multiagent chemotherapy, those with bone marrow and musculoskeletal involvement still had a significantly higher risk of CNS relapse. There is a trend which suggests intrathecal prophylaxis with methotrexate can improve progression free survival and is still possibly beneficial in high risk DLBCL patients even in the rituximab era. Larger prospective studies are needed to determine the true benefit of prophylactic IT therapy in this population. Disclosures: No relevant conflicts of interest to declare.


2006 ◽  
Vol 24 (18_suppl) ◽  
pp. 672-672 ◽  
Author(s):  
A. R. Zander ◽  
N. Kroeger ◽  
C. Schmoor ◽  
W. Krueger ◽  
V. Moebus ◽  
...  

672 Background: Investigation of high dose chemotherapy (HD-CT) supported by autologous hematopoietic stem cell transplantation compared with standard dose chemotherapy (SD-CT) as adjuvant treatment in patients with primary breast cancer and 10 or more axillary lymph nodes. Methods: Between November 1993 and September 2000 307 patients were randomized to receive the following cycles of Epirubicin (90 mg/m2), Cyclophosphamide (600 mg/m2) intervenously (every 21 days) either HD-CT of Cyclophosphamide (1500 mg/m2), Thiotepa (150 mg/m2) and Mitoxantrone (10 mg/m2) intervenously for 4 consecutive days followed by stem cell transplantation or standard dose chemotherapy SDCT in 3 cycles of Cyclophosphamide (500 mg/m2), Methotrexate (40 mg/m2) and Fluoruracil (600 mg/m2) intervenously on days 1 and 8 every 28 days. The primary end points were event-free survival and overall survival. Results: After a median follow-up of 6.1 years 166 events with respect to event-free survival (SD-CT: 91, HD-CT: 75) and 123 with respect to overall survival (SD-CT: 66 and HD-CT: 57) have been observed. The hazard ratio of HD-CT versus SD-CT is estimated as 0,80, p = 0,15. The hazard ratio for overall survival for high dose chemotherapy versus standard dose chemotherapy is estimated as 0,84, p = 0,33. Analysing the effect of treatment on event-free survival premenopausal patients, patients with tumor grade III and ER-positive patients had a better outcome with HD-CT with an interactive effect of 2.5 and 1.4. The significance was only shown in grade III patients in favour of HD-CT, (p = 0,049). The interactive effect of HD-CT with prognostic factors did not reach significance for overall survival. Conclusion: Even with a follow-up of 6.1 years there was only a trend in favour of high dose chemotherapy with respect to overall survival but without a statistical significance. A proper meta-analysis needs to be undertaken for an evaluation of subgroups of patients which might benefit from this treatment approach. No significant financial relationships to disclose.


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