Autologous Stem Cell Transplantation and Addition of Rituximab Independently Prolong Response Duration in Advanced Stage Mantle Cell Lymphoma.

Blood ◽  
2009 ◽  
Vol 114 (22) ◽  
pp. 880-880 ◽  
Author(s):  
Eva Hoster ◽  
Bernd Metzner ◽  
Roswitha Forstpointner ◽  
Michael Pfreundschuh ◽  
Lorenz Trümper ◽  
...  

Abstract Abstract 880 On behalf of the German Low-Grade Lymphoma Study Group (GLSG) and the European MCL Network Background: In younger patients with mantle cell lymphoma (MCL), autologous stem cell transplantation (ASCT) significantly prolonged response duration with a trend towards improved overall survival in a randomized trial of the European MCL Network (Dreyling et al., ASH 2008). A recently updated clinical trial of the German Low-Grade Lymphoma Study Group (GLSG) also reported a significantly prolonged response duration by the addition of Rituximab to first-line CHOP (Hoster et al., ASH 2008). By pooled analysis of these trials we investigated whether Rituximab and ASCT independently prolong response duration. Methods: The analysis included all advanced stage MCL patients of the trials “CHOP vs. MCP” (Nickenig et al., Cancer 2006), “CHOP vs. R-CHOP” (Lenz et al., JCO 2005) and European MCL trial 1 (Dreyling et al., Blood 2005) with complete or partial remission to either CHOP or R-CHOP first-line induction and randomization between ASCT and Interferon-α maintenance. Response duration was defined as time from the end of successful induction chemotherapy to relapse or death from any cause, overall survival from the end of successful induction chemotherapy to death from any cause. Stratified Kaplan-Meier curves for response duration and overall survival were calculated for the four treatment groups (CHOP without ASCT, CHOP with ASCT, R-CHOP without ASCT and R-CHOP with ASCT). By multiple Cox regression we tested whether the impact of Rituximab (R) and ASCT was independent and additive. Results: One-hundred and eighty patients with MCL were evaluable, 80 treated with R-CHOP, 78 with ASCT (CHOP without ASCT: 56, CHOP with ASCT: 46, R-CHOP without ASCT: 44 and R-CHOP with ASCT: 34). Median age was 55 years (range 34-65), the MIPI classified 71% as low risk, 22% as intermediate risk, and 6% as high risk, and baseline characteristics were comparable between treatment groups. With a median follow-up of 63 months, median response duration was 16 months after CHOP without ASCT, 26 months after R-CHOP without ASCT, 39 months after CHOP with ASCT, and 41 months after R-CHOP with ASCT. In multiple Cox regression including R and ASCT, the hazard ratios of R (0.60, 95% CI 0.42-0.86, p = 0.0056) and ASCT (0.50, 95% CI 0.35-0.70, p = 0.0001) were independently significant. There was no interaction between R and ASCT (p=0.43). Median overall survival was 54 months after CHOP without ASCT, 66 months after R-CHOP without ASCT, 90 months after CHOP with ASCT, and not reached after R-CHOP with ASCT. The hazard ratios for OS were 0.70 (95% CI 0.44-1.12, p = 0.14) for R and 0.63 (95% CI 0.41-0.97, p = 0.0379) for ASCT. Conclusions: Our results indicate an additive effect of ASCT and Rituximab in combination with CHOP on response duration in advanced stage MCL patients and support strategies of several study groups to combine Rituximab-containing induction therapies with ASCT in younger MCL patients. However, even after combined treatment approaches, delayed relapses have been observed, supporting the use of maintenance therapy and the introduction of molecular targeted therapeutical strategies. Disclosures: Hoster: Roche: Travel Support. Off Label Use: Rituximab in Mantle Cell Lymphoma. Pfreundschuh:Roche: Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees. Dührsen:Roche: Honoraria, Research Funding; Amgen: Honoraria, Research Funding. Gisselbrecht:Roche: Research Funding, Speakers Bureau. Unterhalt:Roche: Travel Support. Dreyling:Roche: Honoraria, Research Funding.

Blood ◽  
2014 ◽  
Vol 124 (21) ◽  
pp. 1752-1752 ◽  
Author(s):  
Eva Hoster ◽  
Michael Unterhalt ◽  
Michael Pfreundschuh ◽  
Michael Hallek ◽  
Roswitha Forstpointner ◽  
...  

Abstract Introduction: Immunochemotherapy has become the standard of care for patients with mantle-cell lymphoma (MCL) (Dreyling et al., ESMO recommendation for MCL, 2013). Previously, the German Low-Grade Lymphoma Study Group (GLSG) has shown in a randomized trial (GLSG2000) that the addition of rituximab to CHOP improves response rates in untreated advanced stage MCL patients (Lenz et al., JCO 2005). However, the trial was not powered to detect survival differences. Since 1996, patients with MCL have been included in the two consecutive randomized trials GLSG1996 (CHOP vs. MCP, Nickenig et al., Cancer 2006) and GLSG2000. Based on the mature pooled data of these trials we now aimed to compare the long-term clinical outcome of MCL patients treated with CHOP with or without rituximab. Methods: Induction treatment consisted of 4-6 cycles of MCP, CHOP, or R-CHOP. Patients younger than 66 years were subsequently randomized to either myeloablative consolidation and autologous stem cell transplantation, or interferon-alpha maintenance in the first European MCL Trial (Dreyling et al., Blood 2005), whereas older patients were designated to interferon-alpha maintenance. In 1998, randomization between CHOP and MCP (GLSG1996) was stopped due to superior response rates and more effective stem cell mobilization after CHOP, and all subsequently recruited patients were assigned to CHOP. Similarly, in 2002, randomization between CHOP and R-CHOP (GLSG2000) was stopped because of superior response rates after R-CHOP, and all subsequently recruited patients were assigned to R-CHOP. For the current evaluation, we included MCL patients prospectively assigned to either CHOP (GLSG1996 or GLSG2000) or R-CHOP (GLSG2000). We performed an intention-to-treat analysis comparing failure-free (failure: stable disease, progression, or death from any cause) and overall survival (OS) of patients prospectively assigned to R-CHOP versus CHOP, adjusting for potential imbalances in clinical risk profile based on the MIPI score (Hoster et al., JCO 2014). Results: From 1996 to 2004, 386 MCL patients have been prospectively assigned to R-CHOP (185) or CHOP (201). Clinical characteristics were comparable with median age 62 vs. 61 years for R-CHOP vs. CHOP groups, and 40% vs. 42% low risk, 38% vs. 36% intermediate risk, and 22% vs. 21% high risk MIPI. The R-CHOP group showed higher overall response (91% vs. 80%) and complete remission rates (25% vs. 15%). Median failure-free survival was 2.1 compared to 1.4 years (Figure 1, left panel) with adjusted hazard ratio 0.62 (95% CI 0.50-0.78, p<0.0001). After a median follow-up of 9.6 years, median OS was 5.9 vs. 4.8 years with adjusted hazard ratio 0.73 (95% CI 0.57-0.94, p=0.0166) and 5-year OS rates of 57% vs. 48% (Figure 1, right panel), confirming the randomized comparison (5-year OS rates, 59% vs. 47%, adjusted hazard ratio 0.74, 95% CI 0.50-1.09). OS curves of CHOP patients in GLSG1996 or GLSG2000 were overlapping as well as OS curves of patients with randomization or fixed assignment to R-CHOP in GLSG2000. Conclusions: After longer follow-up, pooled data of prospective GLSG trials showed prolonged survival by the addition of rituximab to CHOP induction in previously untreated MCL patients. Our results confirm the recommendation for immunochemotherapy as standard treatment for MCL. Compared to previous observations, clinical outcome for MCL patients has improved; however, further improvement by the introduction of more potent chemotherapy (e.g. high-dose cytarabine) or new targeted approaches is urgently warranted. Figure 1: Failure-free (left) and overall survival (right) of patients prospectively assigned to R-CHOP or CHOP in GLSG1996 or GLSG2000 trials Figure 1:. Failure-free (left) and overall survival (right) of patients prospectively assigned to R-CHOP or CHOP in GLSG1996 or GLSG2000 trials Figure 2 Figure 2. Disclosures Hoster: Roche: Travel Support Other. Off Label Use: Rituximab in mantle-cell lymphoma. Unterhalt:Roche: Travel Support Other. Hallek:Roche: Consultancy, Research Funding. Klapper:Roche: Research Funding. Dreyling:Roche: Honoraria, Research Funding. Hiddemann:Roche: Honoraria, Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees, Research Funding.


Blood ◽  
2004 ◽  
Vol 104 (11) ◽  
pp. 611-611 ◽  
Author(s):  
Christina Nickenig ◽  
Martin H. Dreyling ◽  
Eva Schiegnitz ◽  
Michael Pfreundschuh ◽  
Lorenz H. Truemper ◽  
...  

Abstract In advanced stage follicular lymphoma conventional chemotherapy is non-curative and no major improvement in overall survival has been achieved by different regimens. Similarly, MCL, a lymphoma subtype with an especially poor clinical outcome, cannot be cured by conventional chemotherapy. In 1996, the German Low Grade Lymphoma Study Group (GLSG) started a randomized trial to evaluate the efficacy of two different anthracycline/anthrachinon containing regimens comparing CHOP (cyclophosphamide 750 mg/m2 day 1, vincristine 1.4 mg/m2 day 2, adriamycine 50 mg/m2 day 1, prednisone 100 mg/m2 days 1–5) and MCP (mitoxantrone 8 mg/m2 days 1–2, chlorambucil 3x3 mg/m2 days 1–5; prednisone 25 mg/m2 days 1–5). 415 previously untreated patients with advanced stage indolent lymphoma were prospectively randomized to receive either 6–8 cycles of CHOP or MCP and are evaluable for induction therapy. 277 patients (67%) had a follicular lymphoma, 86 (21%) had a mantle cell lymphoma and 52 (13%) patients had another indolent histology. Responders up to 60 years were subsequently assigned to either myeloablative radiochemotherapy and autologous stem cell transplantation or to interferon-a maintenance (IFNa ), all other patients received IFNa. As stem cell mobilization was hampered in the MCP arm (only 44% sucessful mobilisations after MCP, 93% after CHOP; p=0.0003), from July 1998 all younger patients were asssigned to the CHOP arm. 86% complete and partial remissions (18% CR) were observed in the CHOP arm, whereas after MCP an overall response rate of 77% was obtained (14% CR, p=0.0094). In subgroup analysis similar improvement of remission rates were detected in follicular lymphoma (91% vs 82%, p=0.026) and mantle cell lymphomas (87% vs 73%, p=0.080). No differences, were observed, however, between both regimens for progression-free survival in both lymphoma subtypes. Overall survival was comparable for FL in both study arms (74% vs 69% at five years, p=0.29). In MCL, overall survival was slightly higher in the CHOP arm (5y OS: 57% vs. 31%; p=0.0578), but this difference was mostly due to unbalanced patient characteristics (IPI). In conclusion, CHOP appears superior to MCP in achieving a higher initial response rate but has no long term impact on response duration or overall survival.


2009 ◽  
Vol 27 (4) ◽  
pp. 511-518 ◽  
Author(s):  
Annina Herrmann ◽  
Eva Hoster ◽  
Thomas Zwingers ◽  
Günter Brittinger ◽  
Marianne Engelhard ◽  
...  

Purpose Mantle cell lymphomas (MCLs) represent a clinically aggressive lymphoma subtype with a poor prognosis. To explore a potential progress in outcome a historical comparison was performed using data from the Kiel Lymphoma Study Group (KLSG; 1975 to 1986) and the German Low Grade Lymphoma Study Group (GLSG; 1996 to 2004). Patients and Methods All patients with the histologically confirmed diagnosis of advanced-stage nonblastoid MCL were eligible. To minimize the potential heterogeneity of different risk profiles frequency matching was pursued. In addition, we adjusted for potential confounding variables by multiple Cox regression. Results A total of 520 patients were assessable, 150 from KLSG and 370 from GLSG studies. The median overall survival was 2.7 years for KLSG patients as compared with 4.8 years for GLSG patients (P < .0001). The 5-year survival rates were 22% in the KLSG group (95% CI, 13% to 31%) as compared with 47% for GLSG treated patients (95% CI, 38% to 55%). The hazard ratio adjusted for performance status, lactate dehydrogenase, and age was 0.44 for GLSG patients (95% CI, 0.32 to 0.59). Conclusion Median overall survival of patients with advanced nonblastoid MCL almost doubled during the past 30 years. Potential reasons for this apparent improvement in overall survival include the application of anthracycline-containing regimens and new approaches, such as antilymphoma antibodies or stem cell transplantation. Advances in general supportive care, new diagnostic tools, and general improvement of life span might have also reinforced this effect. However, our results are questioning the validity of historical comparisons which had been frequently applied in previous trials.


Blood ◽  
2008 ◽  
Vol 111 (4) ◽  
pp. 2385-2387 ◽  
Author(s):  
Olaf Determann ◽  
Eva Hoster ◽  
German Ott ◽  
Heinz Wolfram Bernd ◽  
Christoph Loddenkemper ◽  
...  

Clinical outcome of mantle cell lymphoma (MCL) is highly heterogeneous. Tumor cell proliferation as assessed by the Ki-67 index has been shown to yield prognostic information on MCL in many studies using heterogeneously treated patient cohorts. The prognostic value of the Ki-67 index in patients treated with anti-CD20 therapy has not been studied so far. We analyzed the Ki-67 index at primary diagnosis in 249 advanced-stage MCL patients treated within randomized trials. Ki-67 showed high prognostic relevance for overall survival (relative risk 1.27 for 10% higher Ki-67, P < .001), also independently from clinical prognostic factors. The 3 groups with different Ki-67 index of less than 10%, 10% to less than 30%, and 30% or more showed significantly different overall survival in patients treated with CHOP (P = .001) as well as in patients treated with CHOP in combination with anti-CD20 therapy (R-CHOP, P = .013). Thus, the Ki-67 index remains an important prognostic marker in the era of anti-CD20 therapy. The Euro-pean MCL study is registered at www.ClinicalTrials.gov as #NCT00016887.


Blood ◽  
2000 ◽  
Vol 95 (2) ◽  
pp. 619-626 ◽  
Author(s):  
Roberto Chiarle ◽  
Leo M. Budel ◽  
Jeffrey Skolnik ◽  
Glauco Frizzera ◽  
Marco Chilosi ◽  
...  

Mantle cell lymphoma (MCL) is an aggressive neoplasm characterized by the deregulated expression of cyclin D1 by t(11;14). The molecular mechanisms responsible for MCL's clinical behavior remain unclear. The authors have investigated the expression of p53, E2F-1, and the CDK inhibitors p27 and p21 in 110 MCLs, relating their expression to proliferative activity (Ki-67). For comparison, they have similarly analyzed low-grade (12 MALT, 16 CLL/SLL) and high-grade (19 DLCL) lymphomas. p53 was detected more frequently in large-cell MCL (l-MCL; 5 of 7) than in classical MCL (s-MCL; 13 of 103) and DLCL (8 of 19). In MCL and DLCL, the percentage of E2F-1+ nuclei was high, correlating with high Ki-67 expression. Most MCLs (91 of 112) and DLCLs (12 of 19) showed a loss of p27; MALT and CLL/SLL, however, were p27 positive. Reverse transcription–polymerase chain reaction and in vitro protein degradation assays demonstrated that MCLs have normal p27 mRNA expression but increased p27 protein degradation activity via the proteasome pathway. Correlation of MCL p53 and p27 expression with clinical data showed an association between reduced overall survival rates and the overexpression of p53 (P = .001), the loss of p27 (P = .002), or both. Loss of p27 identified patients with a worse clinical outcome among p53 negative cases (P = .002). These findings demonstrated that MCL has a distinct cell cycle protein expression similar to that of high-grade lymphoma. The loss of p27 and the overexpression of p53 in MCL are prognostic markers that identify patients at high risk. The demonstration that low levels of p27 in MCL result from enhanced proteasome-mediated degradation should encourage additional clinical trials. (Blood. 2000;95:619-626)


Blood ◽  
2011 ◽  
Vol 118 (21) ◽  
pp. 436-436 ◽  
Author(s):  
Robert Kridel ◽  
Barbara Meissner ◽  
Sanja Rogic ◽  
Merrill Boyle ◽  
Adele Telenius ◽  
...  

Abstract Abstract 436 Background: Mantle cell lymphoma (MCL) is an aggressive subtype of non-Hodgkin's lymphoma that is characterized by the hallmark t(11;14)(q13;q32) translocation, as well as a high number of secondary chromosomal alterations. Further, a small number of genes such as TP53, ATM and CCND1 have been reported to be recurrently mutated in MCL, but do not fully explain the biology and do not adequately account for the wide spectrum of clinical manifestations, response to treatment and prognosis. The aim of this study was to discover new somatic mutations that could contribute to our understanding of the pathogenesis of MCL. Methods: In our discovery cohort, we sequenced the transcriptomes of 18 clinical samples (11 diagnostic and 7 progression biopsies) and 2 mantle cell lymphoma-derived cell lines (Mino and Jeko-1). For this purpose, whole transcriptome shotgun sequencing was performed on RNA extracted from fresh frozen tissue. We assembled an extension cohort of 103 diagnostic patient samples and 4 additional cell lines (Rec-1, Z-138, Maver-1, JVM-2), and performed Sanger sequencing of NOTCH1 exons 26, 27 and 34 on genomic DNA. We further exposed the 6 cell lines to 1 μM of the γ-secretase inhibitor XXI (compound E) for 7 days and measured cellular proliferation with an EdU incorporation assay. Survival analysis was carried out in the 113 patients with diagnostic biopsies and available outcome data. Results: NOTCH1 mutations were found in 14 out of 121 patient samples (11.6%) and in 2 out of 6 cell lines, Mino and Rec-1 (33.3%). The majority of these mutations (12 out of 14) lie in exon 34 that encodes the PEST domain of NOTCH1 and consist of either small frameshift-causing indels (10 cases) or nonsense mutations (2 cases). These mutations are predicted to cause truncations of the C-terminal PEST domain. To gain further insight into functional relevance, we treated 6 cell lines with compound E, an inhibitor of the γ-secretase complex that plays a critical role in the release of the intracellular domain of NOTCH1 after ligand-induced activation. In Rec-1, that harbours a NOTCH1 mutation, we observed a significant decrease in proliferation (mean percentage of cells in culture incorporating EdU decreasing from 47.5% to 1.4%, p<.001). No effect of compound E was observed in Mino, the other cell line with a NOTCH1 mutation, nor in the 4 cell lines that are wild type for NOTCH1. Outcome correlation analysis showed that NOTCH1 mutations are associated with poor overall survival (1.56 versus 3.86 years respectively, p=.001), but not with significantly shortened progression-free survival (0.88 versus 1.73 years respectively, p=.07). Discussion: We have identified recurrent mutations in NOTCH1 in a subset of patients with MCL (11.6%). The frequency and the pattern of mutations are strikingly similar to what has recently been reported in chronic lymphocytic leukemia, the other major CD5 positive B-cell malignancy (Nature, 2011 Jun 5, 475:101–105 and J Exp Med, 2011 Jul 4, 208:1389–1401). NOTCH1 mutations are associated with adverse prognosis as evidenced by shortened overall survival. This latter finding, however, should ideally be validated in a larger and uniformly treated cohort. Finally, the sensitivity of the Rec-1 cell line to compound E suggests that NOTCH1 mutations could serve as the target for tailored therapy in mantle cell lymphoma. Disclosures: Sehn: Roche/Genentech: Consultancy, Honoraria, Research Funding. Connors:Roche: Research Funding.


2006 ◽  
Vol 24 (18_suppl) ◽  
pp. 7502-7502 ◽  
Author(s):  
M. Dreyling ◽  
R. Forstpointner ◽  
M. Gramatzki ◽  
H. Böck ◽  
M. Hänel ◽  
...  

7502 Background: Rituximab (R) prolongs the progression-free survival (PFS) in patients with follicular lymphoma (FL) when given either simultaneously with or as maintenance after chemotherapy only. Methods: In the current study the impact of R maintenance after remission induction with an R-containing combined immuno-chemotherapy (R-FCM) was evaluated. Patients with advanced stage relapsed or refractory FL and mantle cell lymphoma (MCL) were eligible. The study design comprized 4 courses of chemotherapy with Fludarabine (25 mg/m2/d days 1–3), Cyclophosphamide (200 mg/m2/d days 1–3) and Mitoxantrone (8 mg/m2/d day 1) (FCM) ± Rituximab (375 mg/m2/d day 0). Patients entering a complete (CR) or partial remission (PR) underwent a second randomization for R maintenance (4 weekly doses (375 mg/m2/d) at three and nine months after end of induction) or observation only. Randomization was stratified for histology, prior therapies (up to 2 lines vs. >2), induction (±R), and response (CR vs. PR). After improved outcome of the R-FCM arm had been observed in the initial 147 randomized patients, all subsequent patients received a combined immuno-chemotherapy induction. Results: 176 of 195 randomized cases are evaluable, 138 of whom had received an R-containing induction. In these patients (as well as the total group) the median PFS after end of induction has not been reached in the R-maintenance arm in contrast to 17 months in patients with no further treatment (p = 0.001). This improvement was seen both in FL (n = 81; p = 0,035) and MCL (n = 47; p = 0,049). More importantly, overall survival rate was also improved after R maintenance with borderline significance (3 y rate 82% vs. 55%; p = 0,056). No major sided effects of R maintenance have been observed and the rate of serious infections was similar in both study arms (p = 0.72). Conclusions: The final analysis of this study confirms that R maintenance after combined immuno-chemotherapy (R-FCM) is highly effective and improves the progression-free survival—with a strong trend towards improved overall survival—of patients with relapsed FL and MCL. [Table: see text]


Blood ◽  
2008 ◽  
Vol 112 (11) ◽  
pp. 769-769 ◽  
Author(s):  
Martin H. Dreyling ◽  
Eva Hoster ◽  
Achiel Van Hoof ◽  
Bernd Metzner ◽  
Christian Gisselbrecht ◽  
...  

Abstract Background: Mantle cell lymphoma (MCL) is a distinct subtype of malignant lymphoma with an especially poor prognosis and a median survival of only 3–4 years. Methods: In 1996, the European MCL Network initiated a randomized trial to improve the dismal outcome of MCL, comparing early consolidation with myeloablative radiochemotherapy (TBI 12 gray, cyclophosphamide 120 mg/kg bw) followed by autologous stem cell transplantation (ASCT) to a conventional α-interferon maintenance (6×106 IE IFN- α3x weekly) in first remission after a CHOP-like induction regimen (Dreyling et al, Blood 2005). Here we report the long term results of this prospective trial. Results: Until March 2004, a total of 232 previously untreated patients up to 65 years with advanced stage MCL were randomized upfront. 173 (76%) of 228 patients evaluable according to the intention to treat (ITT) responded to initial induction chemotherapy and 151 of these (87%) proceeded to the assigned consolidation therapy. 144 patients were evaluable per protocol, 75 pts in the ASCT arm and 69 patients in the IFN maintenance arm. Baseline characteristics were comparable in the per protocol as well as in the ITT cohorts. Patients in the ASCT study arm experienced a significantly longer response duration (RD, median 3.7 years) as compared to patients in the IFNa arm (median 1.6 years, p = 0.0004). These differences were even more pronounced in the CR patients (median response duration 4.5 years vs. 1.6 years) and the intent to treat analysis (median time to treatment failure 2.6 vs. 1.4 years, p = 0.0001). Most importantly, this advantage resulted in a pronounced trend towards an improved overall survival (OS) in the ASCT arm. After a prolonged follow-up of up to 10 years (median 6.1 years), median survival after ASCT was 7.5 years in comparison to 5.4 years under IFN-α maintenance (p = 0.075). In the intent to treat analysis median OS was 7.5 vs. 5.3 years (p = 0.031). As expected, acute toxicity was higher in the ASCT group, whereas long-term effects were more frequently encountered under IFN-α maintenance. Conclusion: In first line treatment of advanced stage MCL, dose-intensified consolidation with myeloablative radiochemotherapy followed by ASCT after CHOP-like induction results in a significantly prolonged response duration and may also result in an improved overall survival. Accordingly, dose-intensified regimens represent the current therapeutic standard in younger MCL patients. Future study concepts will evaluate the addition of molecular targeted approaches to further improve long term outcome.


Blood ◽  
2015 ◽  
Vol 126 (23) ◽  
pp. 2717-2717
Author(s):  
Jonathon B. Cohen ◽  
Xuesong Han ◽  
Xin Hu ◽  
Ahmedin Jemal ◽  
Elizabeth Ward ◽  
...  

Abstract Background: Although mantle cell lymphoma (MCL) has traditionally been considered an aggressive lymphoma with shortened survival, the long-term outcomes and initial presentation can be heterogeneous. Martin et al (JCO 2009) reported that 32% of patients with MCL at an academic referral center deferred therapy for at least 3 months, with a median overall survival (OS) of 64 months for patients treated within 90 days of diagnosis and median OS not reached for those who deferred therapy. We used the National Cancer Database (NCDB) to perform a national cohort analysis of the impact of deferred therapy in MCL. Methods: The NCDB is a nationwide oncology outcomes database sponsored by the Commission on Cancer of the American College of Surgeons and the American Cancer Society, capturing nearly 70% of all newly diagnosed cases of cancer in the United States. We included all patients ≥18 years old who received initial treatment for newly diagnosed MCL in 2004-2011. MCL patients were identified by the International Classification of Diseases for Oncology code 9673 and variables of interest were captured using the Facility Oncology Registry Data Standards. Patients were determined to have received deferred therapy if their time to initial treatment was > 90 days. Chi-square tests were used as appropriate to compare baseline characteristics between immediate and deferred treatment groups, and OS was estimated using the Kaplan-Meier method. Log-binomial regression models were developed to identify characteristics associated with deferred treatment and multivariable Cox proportional hazard models were fit to evaluate the relationship between deferred treatment and OS. Results: Of 8209 patients with MCL, 492 (6.1%) received therapy > 90 days from diagnosis with a median time to treatment for this group of 121 days (range 91-1152). Among all patients, 64% were > 60 years of age, 73% were male, 85% were stage III/IV, and 83% had primarily nodal disease. Additional comorbidities were identified in 22% of patients, and 28% of patients presented with B-symptoms at diagnosis. Approximately 1/3 of patients received therapy in a high volume teaching/research institution. Compared to patients treated within 90 days of diagnosis, patients receiving deferred therapy were more likely to have early stage disease (22% vs 15% p<0.0001), extranodal presentation (24% vs 17%, p<0.0001), to be located in the Northeast region (26% vs 20%, p<0.0001), and to be treated at a high volume teaching/research institution (41% vs 33%, p=0.005). Patients treated within 90 days of diagnosis more commonly had B-symptoms (29% vs 16%, p<0.0001). There were no significant differences between the two groups with regard to gender, age, year of diagnosis, socioeconomic status (based on location of residence), or primary payer. When analyzed in a multivariable model, lack of B-symptoms (RR 1.67, 95% CI 1.38-2.03, p < 0.0001) and extra-nodal status (RR 1.24, 95% CI 1.00-1.53, p = 0.0468) were two strong clinical predictors of deferred therapy. Multivariable analysis demonstrated improved OS for patients who received deferred therapy (HR 0.79: 95% CI 0.67-0.93, p = 0.005; See Figure 1). Additional significant predictors of improved OS included age ≤ 60 years (HR 0.60: 95% CI 0.54-0.66, p < 0.0001), early stage disease (HR 0.66: 95% CI 0.59-0.74, p < 0.0001), lack of B-symptoms (HR 0.75: 95% CI 0.70-0.81, p < 0.0001), and lack of comorbidities (HR 0.63: 95% CI 0.58-0.68, p < 0.0001). Non-Hispanic black patients had inferior OS compared to the other racial/ethnic groups. Among patients who deferred therapy, male gender (p=0.046), age ≤ 60 years (p=0.0002) and lack of comorbidities (p<0.0001) were associated with improved OS, while remaining variables including region, stage, race, B-symptoms, and extranodal presentation were not. Discussion: This national cohort analysis supports prior reports that deferred therapy in MCL is safe for a subgroup of patients with MCL. We found that deferred therapy > 90 days was associated with improved OS and that lack of B-symptoms was a strong predictor for deferred therapy. Predictors of improved survival for patients deferring therapy included young age and lack of comorbidities. These data support use of watchful waiting approach for well-selected newly diagnosed MCL patients. Figure 1. Overall survival for newly diagnosed patients with mantle cell lymphoma based on time to initiation of therapy. Figure 1. Overall survival for newly diagnosed patients with mantle cell lymphoma based on time to initiation of therapy. Disclosures Cohen: BMS: Research Funding; Seattle Genetics: Consultancy; Pharmacyclics: Consultancy; Millennium: Consultancy; Celgene: Consultancy; Janssen: Research Funding. Flowers:Infinity Pharmaceuticals: Research Funding; Acerta: Research Funding; Millennium/Takeda: Research Funding; AbbVie: Research Funding; Gilead Sciences: Research Funding; Acerta: Research Funding; Gilead Sciences: Research Funding; Onyx Pharmaceuticals: Research Funding; Janssen: Research Funding; OptumRx: Consultancy; Spectrum: Research Funding; Seattle Genetics: Consultancy; Infinity Pharmaceuticals: Research Funding; Genentech: Research Funding; Millennium/Takeda: Research Funding; Genentech: Research Funding; Janssen: Research Funding; Onyx Pharmaceuticals: Research Funding; Pharmacyclics: Research Funding; Spectrum: Research Funding; Pharmacyclics: Research Funding; AbbVie: Research Funding; Seattle Genetics: Consultancy; Celegene: Other: Unpaid consultant, Research Funding; OptumRx: Consultancy.


Sign in / Sign up

Export Citation Format

Share Document