BCL6 Expression and Treatment Delay Correlate with Adverse Outcome in Newly Diagnosed Primary CNS Lymphoma: Final Report of CALGB 50202 (Alliance)

Blood ◽  
2012 ◽  
Vol 120 (21) ◽  
pp. 301-301
Author(s):  
James L. Rubenstein ◽  
Eric D. Hsi ◽  
Jeffrey L. Johnson ◽  
Sin-Ho Jung ◽  
Barbara Grant ◽  
...  

Abstract Abstract 301 Background: While whole brain radiotherapy (WBRT) has long been considered the standard consolidative therapy in primary CNS lymphoma (PCNSL), concerns regarding irreversible neurocognitive effects of brain irradiation have prompted development of dose-intensive induction and consolidative chemotherapeutic approaches, with the aim to eliminate brain irradiation. We present the updated results of the first Phase II multicenter trial, conducted by a major cooperative group within the United States, to evaluate an intensive chemotherapy-alone strategy in newly diagnosed patients with PCNSL. Methods: Induction chemotherapy consisted of methotrexate (MTX), temozolomide, rituximab (MT-R) with HD-MTX (8 gm/m2) administered every 2 weeks × 8, weekly rituximab × 6 and temozolomide (150 mg/m2) starting day +7 and continued monthly × 5. Patients who achieved a CR received intensive consolidation cytarabine 2 gm/m2 BID on days 1–4 with etoposide 40 mg/kg over 96 h (EA). Assessment of BCL6 and MYC expression by lymphoma cells was performed by immunohistochemical analysis of diagnostic specimens and scored (10% increments) by a pathologist who was blinded to clinical outcome. Results: 44 newly diagnosed, immunocompetent patients with PCNSL were treated at 12 CALGB centers between 2005 and 2009. Patient characteristics were as follows: median age was 61 yr (range 12–76), median ECOG PS was 1, 58% were IELSG risk group 2–3. 98% of tumors were large B-cell lymphoma. 66% of patients exhibited CR to induction MT-R. With median overall follow-up of 5.3 years, 21 out of 46 patients exhibited disease progression and 17 have died. There was one treatment-related death (sepsis) during consolidation. There has been no evidence for significant treatment-related neurotoxicity. The median progression-free survival (PFS) is 4.0 years and estimated PFS rates with 95% confidence limits at 1, 2, 3 and 4 years are 0.66 (0.50, 0.76), 0.59 (0.43, 0.72), 0.52 (0.36, 0.64) and 0.47 (0.32, 0.61). The probability of 2-year PFS for patients who completed the entire regimen is 0.69 (0.47, 0.94). The estimated overall survival (OS) rate with 95% confidence limits at 4 years is 0.65 (0.49,0.77). Remarkably, event-free survival (EFS) was similar in patients older and younger than 60 (p< 0.47). While ECOG PS>1 and high IELSG score showed a trend toward inferior EFS, the most significant clinical prognostic variable was treatment delay: those patients who started remission induction therapy more than 30 days after diagnosis exhibited shorter EFS than patients who received MT-R within a month (2-sided p-value = 0.05). There was no relationship between treatment delay and IELSG prognostic score. While high MYC expression (>50% lymphoma nuclei) was detected in 54% of cases, MYC was not prognostic. By contrast, high BCL6 expression (≥30% of lymphoma nuclei) was detected in 59% of cases and correlated as a continuous variable with inferior progression-free survival, event-free survival and overall survival. The 2-sided p-values for these models were p=0.045, p=0.019 and p=0.045 (log-rank test). Conclusions: CALGB 50202 (Alliance) demonstrates that induction MT-R followed by EA consolidation is feasible in the multicenter setting and yields rates of PFS and OS in newly diagnosed PCNSL patients that are at least comparable to combined modality treatment involving reduced dose whole brain irradiation. The MT-R-EA regimen is well-tolerated in patients age >60 and has similar efficacy in this population as in younger patients. Based upon these encouraging results, a successor, intergroup, randomized phase II trial, CALGB 51101 (Alliance) has been activated that compares dose-intensive consolidation (EA) with myeloablative chemotherapy and autologous stem cell transplant in this first randomized trial in PCNSL in which neither arm involves WBRT. Our observations regarding the association of treatment delay with adverse prognosis suggest that prompt initiation of therapy for PCNSL patients may translate into improved outcomes. In this first prospective analysis of molecular biomarkers in PCNSL in the setting of a clinical trial, high BCL6 expression was found to correlate with inferior outcome. This observation raises the possibility that in future studies BCL6 could be used as a biomarker in risk-adapted therapy and supports the investigation of BCL6 antagonists in the treatment of this disease. Supported by LLS and by NCI CA13908301. Disclosures: No relevant conflicts of interest to declare.

Blood ◽  
2010 ◽  
Vol 116 (21) ◽  
pp. 763-763 ◽  
Author(s):  
James L. Rubenstein ◽  
Jeffrey L. Johnson ◽  
Sin-Ho Jung ◽  
Bruce D. Cheson ◽  
Lawrence D. Kaplan

Abstract Abstract 763 Background. Whole brain irradiation is widely considered to be standard consolidative therapy in primary CNS lymphoma (PCNSL). However, concerns about the irreversible effects of brain irradiation on neurocognitive function, particularly in patients age > 60, have prompted interest in strategies to intensify induction and consolidative chemotherapy with the aim to eliminate or at least defer brain irradiation until relapse or progression. We present the results of the first Phase II multicenter trial, conducted by a major cooperative group within the United States, to evaluate an intensive chemotherapy-alone strategy in newly-diagnosed patients with PCNSL. Methods. Induction chemotherapy consisted of methotrexate (MTX), temozolomide, rituximab (MT-R) with intravenous HD-MTX (8 gm/m2) administered every two weeks × 8 and rituximab adminstered weekly × 6. Temozolomide (150-200 mg/m2) was administered starting on day +7 and continued every 28 days × 5. Patients who achieved a CR received intensive consolidation cytarabine 2 gm/m2 BID on days 1–4 with infusional etoposide 40 mg/kg over 96 h (EA). Results. 46 newly-diagnosed, immunocompetent patients with PCNSL were treated at 12 centers between 2005 and 2009. 96% of tumors were large B-cell lymphoma. Patient characteristics were as follows: median age was 60 (range 12–76), 47.8% were male, median ECOG PS was 1, 45.4% had involvement of deep brain structures, 47.7% had elevated CSF total protein, and 29.6% had increased serum LDH. 63% of patients exhibited CR to induction MT-R and went onto intensive consolidation (EA). With a median overall follow-up of 3.3 years, 21 out of 46 patients have exhibited disease progression and 15 patients have died. There was one treatment-related mortality (sepsis) during consolidation chemotherapy. There has been no evidence for significant early or delayed, treatment-related neurotoxicity. Median progression-free survival (PFS) is 2.3 years and estimated PFS with 95% confidence limits at 1, 2 and 3 years are 0.64 (0.48,0.76), 0.55 (0.39,0.69), and 0.50 (0.33,0.64). The estimated overall survival (OS) with 95% confidence limits at 1, 2 and 3 years are 0.73 (0.58, 0.84), 0.71 (0.55,0.81) and 0.67 (0.51,0.79). Notably, while the subgroup of patients with ECOG PS = 2 had inferior event-free survival (EFS) (p<0.018), the EFS was similar in patients older and younger than 60 (p<0.56). Conclusions. CALGB 50202 demonstrates that induction chemotherapy with MT-R followed by EA consolidation is feasible in the multicenter setting and yields rates of PFS and OS in newly diagnosed PCNSL patients which are at least comparable to combined modality treatment that involves reduced or standard doses of whole brain irradiation. The MT-R-EA regimen is well-tolerated in patients age >60 and has similar efficacy in this population as in younger patients. Disclosures: No relevant conflicts of interest to declare.


2021 ◽  
Vol 11 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Junyao Yu ◽  
Huaping Du ◽  
Xueshi Ye ◽  
Lifei Zhang ◽  
Haowen Xiao

AbstractWith the exception of high-dose methotrexate (HD-MTX), there is currently no defined standard treatment for newly diagnosed primary central nervous system lymphoma (PCNSL). This review focused on first-line induction and consolidation treatment of PCNSL and aimed to determine the optimal combination of HD-MTX and the long-term beneficial consolidation methods. A comprehensive literature search of MEDLINE identified 1407 studies, among which 31 studies met the inclusion criteria. The meta-analysis was performed by using Stata SE version 15. Forest plots were generated to report combined outcomes like the complete response rate (CRR), overall survival, and progression-free survival. We also conducted univariate regression analyses of the baseline characteristics to identify the source of heterogeneity. Pooled analysis showed a CRR of 41% across all HD-MTX-based regimens, and three- and four-drug regimens had better CRRs than HD-MTX monotherapy. In all combinations based on HD-MTX, the HD-MTX + procarbazine + vincristine (MPV) regimen showed pooled CRRs of 63% and 58% with and without rituximab, respectively, followed by the rituximab + HD-MTX + temozolomide regimen, which showed a pooled CRR of 60%. Pooled PFS and OS showed that post-remission consolidation with autologous stem cell transplantation (ASCT) was associated with the best survival outcome, with a pooled 2-year OS of 80%, a 2-year PFS of 74%, a 5-year OS of 77%, and a 5-year PFS of 63%. Next, whole-brain radiation therapy (WBRT) + chemotherapy showed a pooled 2-year OS of 72%, 2-year PFS of 56%, 5-year OS of 55%, and 5-year PFS of 41%, with no detectable CR heterogeneity throughout the entire treatment process. In HD-MTX-based therapy of newly diagnosed PCNSL, MPV with or without rituximab can be chosen as the inductive regimen, and the rituximab + HD-MTX + temozolomide regimen is also a practical choice. Based on our study, high-dose chemotherapy supported by ASCT is an efficacious approach for consolidation. Consolidation with WBRT + chemotherapy can be another feasible approach.


Blood ◽  
2006 ◽  
Vol 108 (11) ◽  
pp. 2452-2452
Author(s):  
Ingo G.H. Schmidt-Wolf ◽  
Hendrik Pels ◽  
Annika Juergens ◽  
Axel Glasmacher ◽  
Holger Schulz ◽  
...  

Abstract Background: Treatment of primary CNS lymphoma (PCNSL) with a combined systemic and intraventricular chemotherapy (Bonn protocol) has achieved an overall response rate (ORR) of 84% and long term complete remissions in a substantial fraction of patients younger than 60 years. Purpose: Due to a high infection rate of the Ommaya reservoir the question was addressed if intraventricular treatment is dispensable in this polychemotherapy protocol. Patients and Methods: Fifty patients with histologically confirmed PCNSL were enrolled onto a phase II-study evaluating chemotherapy without radiotherapy and without intraventricular treatment. A high-dose methotrexate (MTX) (cycles 1,2,4,5) and cytarabine (ara-C) (cycles 3,6) based systemic therapy (including dexamethasone, vinca-alkaloids, ifosfamide and cyclophosphamide) was administered. Results: In an ongoing trial thirty-five of 50 patients (18 pat. < 60 years, 17 pat. over 60 years) are yet assessable for response after a median follow up of nine months (range: 1 to 26 months). In 18 patients < 60 years, the ORR was 78%. However, median time to treatment failure (TTF) was eight months, and median progression free survival (PFS) only 7 months according to frequent early relapses. Conclusions: Early relapses are frequent in younger patients treated with the modified Bonn protocol without intraventricular treatment despite a high ORR. These preliminary results support the assumption that intraventricular treatment is essential to achieve sustained remissions after successful treatment of PCNSL.


Blood ◽  
2013 ◽  
Vol 122 (21) ◽  
pp. 362-362 ◽  
Author(s):  
Matthew J Maurer ◽  
Herve Ghesquieres ◽  
Jean-Philippe Jais ◽  
Thomas E Witzig ◽  
Corinne Haioun ◽  
...  

Abstract We have recently reported that event-free survival at 24 months from diagnosis (EFS24) is a robust endpoint for assessment of disease related outcome for newly diagnosed patients with diffuse large B-cell lymphoma (DLBCL) treated with anthracycline-based immunochemotherapy (IC). Patients who achieve EFS24 following IC have a subsequent overall survival that is equivalent to the age and sex matched general population. The IPI was developed in the pre-rituximab era using OS/EFS endpoints. While the IPI is associated with outcome in the IC era, the original survival estimates for the IPI risk groups are outdated. The IPI is also a discrete risk classifier, with only 6 possible groups. Here we remodel the IPI using EFS24 as the endpoint in a large international cohort of patients treated with IC. This model provides an individual level 0-100% risk of failing to achieve EFS24 for each patient and can be used for patient prognosis, treatment stratification, and risk assessment. Methods Newly diagnosed DLBCL patients treated with immunochemotherapy from the University of Iowa/Mayo Clinic SPORE Molecular Epidemiology Resource, NCCTG N0489 clinical trial, GELA LNH2003B program, and a Lyon, France based hospital registry were included in the original EFS24 study. Patients with a relapse, progression, unplanned re-treatment, or death due to any cause within 730 days of diagnosis were considered a failure for the EFS24 endpoint. Patients alive and progression/relapse free at 730 days from diagnosis with no subsequent treatment following initial IC were considered a success for the EFS24 endpoint. Variables selected for potential model inclusion were the IPI components (age, stage, ECOG PS, number of extranodal sites, and LDH), as well as standard clinical variables typically reported in studies of DLBCL: presence of B-symptoms, bone marrow involvement, bulky disease (>10 cm), and sex. The IPI24, a prognostic model for EFS24, was developed using logistic regression models. Model building began by fitting the classic IPI score (0-5), then allowing individual IPI variables to carry different model weights and number of categories, followed by dropping insignificant variables, finally adding any additional significant variables. Model performance was assessed using bias corrected c-statistics, AIC, and R2 values. Model selection was done using the complete case set with multiple imputation on the full dataset used to refine parameter estimates for the final model. Results 1596 total patients were available for modeling. The median age was 62 (range 18-93) and 53% were male; 33% were IPI 0-1, 25% were IPI 2, 25% were IPI 3, and 17% were IPI of 4-5. The failure rate for achieving EFS24 was 29%. All variables but sex (p=0.33) were univariately associated with EFS24 (p<6.4x10-5). The original IPI had good prognostic ability for EFS24 (c=0.696, p=2.2x10-32). Allowing multiple categories for ECOG PS, stage, and age (continuous) improved model fit and prognostic ability (c=0.727). The number of extranodal sites was not significant when IPI variables were modeled separately and was removed from the model. Sex and bulky disease were additional significant variables when added to the model. Thus, the final IPI24 model contained the following risk predictors: male sex, ECOG PS (0 vs. 1 vs 2 vs 3-4), stage (I vs. II, vs. III vs. IV), LDH (elevated vs. normal range), bulky disease > 10cm, and age (continuous). This model resulted in improved fit and prognostic ability (c=0.749) over the standard IPI (c=0.696, bootstrap p<0.001). Model validation was performed on an additional 158 patients from the SPORE MER and showed good concordance (c=0.697). Additional validation is planned in a larger set of independent patients. Conclusion The IPI24, generated using standard clinical variables, yields an individual risk prediction for failing to achieve EFS24 following IC for treatment of DLBCL. The IPI24 has superior prognostic ability to the standard IPI and can be implemented in the clinic using a nomogram or as a simple electronic application. Disclosures: No relevant conflicts of interest to declare.


2019 ◽  
Vol 21 (Supplement_6) ◽  
pp. vi17-vi18
Author(s):  
Osnat Bairey ◽  
Alexandra Benouaich-amiel ◽  
Shlomit Yust-Katz ◽  
Ronit Gurion ◽  
Tali Siegal

Abstract BACKGROUND Patients older than 60 years account for up to 70% of all PCNSL cases. Elderly PCNSL patients have median overall survival (OS) under 2 years and progression free survival (PFS) ranging between 6–16 months. Older patients have multiple comorbidities associated with low tolerability to high-dose (HD) chemotherapy. As maintenance treatment prolongs PFS and\or OS in several hematological malignancies we sought to investigate whether Ibrutinib maintenance may benefit elderly PCNSL patients. Ibrutinib was selected for maintenance since it has an impressive tolerability and activity in a range of systemic B-cell lymphomas. METHODS Single arm, open label, non-randomized study aiming to accrue 30 newly diagnosed PCNSL patients aged 60–85 years who received HD-methotrexate–based first line chemotherapy and have a documented response which is either partial (PR) or complete response (CR). The primary end-point is one and 2-year PFS and ibrutinib dose is 560mg/day. All patients undergo pre-maintenance neurocognitive evaluation which is repeated every 6 months. RESULTS Of the 16 patients screened for the study 2 were excluded due to relapse while on screening. 14 patients have been enrolled with a median age of 74 (61–80) years. The median interval between PCNSL diagnosis and start of ibrutinib maintenance is 7.6 (5.6–11.5) months. Currently, the median PFS is 22.5 (12–31.5) months. The adverse effects are largely grade 1/2 with rare grade 3/4 events. One patient discontinued treatment due to skin rash at 4.5 months. Two patients relapsed while on maintenance after 4 and 15 months of treatment. 3 patients with PR at enrolment improved to CR/CRu during maintenance. No invasive fungal infections have been observed. CONCLUSIONS Ibrutinib maintenance is feasible and well tolerated in newly diagnosed elderly PCNSL patients after first-line HD-MTX based treatment. The toxicity is mild to moderate. Enrollment is ongoing and updated outcomes will be presented at the meeting.


2019 ◽  
Vol 37 (10) ◽  
pp. 823-833 ◽  
Author(s):  
Caroline Houillier ◽  
Luc Taillandier ◽  
Sylvain Dureau ◽  
Thierry Lamy ◽  
Mouna Laadhari ◽  
...  

PURPOSE To determine the efficacy and toxicity of chemoimmunotherapy followed by either whole-brain radiotherapy (WBRT) or intensive chemotherapy and autologous stem-cell transplantation (ASCT) as a first-line treatment of primary CNS lymphoma (PCNSL). PATIENTS AND METHODS Immunocompetent patients (18 to 60 years of age) with untreated PCNSL were randomly assigned to receive WBRT or ASCT as consolidation treatment after induction chemotherapy consisting of two cycles of R-MBVP (rituximab 375 mg/m2 day (D) 1, methotrexate 3 g/m2 D1; D15, VP16 100 mg/m2 D2, BCNU 100 mg/m2 D3, prednisone 60 mg/kg/d D1-D5) followed by two cycles of R-AraC (rituximab 375 mg/m2 D1, cytarabine 3 g/m2 D1 to D2). Intensive chemotherapy consisted of thiotepa (250 mg/m2/d D9; D8; D7), busulfan (8 mg/kg D6 through D4), and cyclophosphamide (60 mg/kg/d D3; D2). WBRT delivered 40 Gy (2 Gy/fraction). The primary end point was 2-year progression-free survival. Cognitive outcome was the main secondary end point. Analysis was intention to treat in a noncomparative phase II trial. RESULTS Between October 2008 and February 2014, 140 patients were recruited from 23 French centers. Both WBRT and ASCT met the predetermined threshold (among the first 38 patients in each group, at least 24 patients were alive and disease free at 2 years). The 2-year progression-free survival rates were 63% (95% CI, 49% to 81%) and 87% (95% CI, 77% to 98%) in the WBRT and ASCT arms, respectively. Toxicity deaths were recorded in one and five patients after WBRT and ASCT, respectively. Cognitive impairment was observed after WBRT, whereas cognitive functions were preserved or improved after ASCT. CONCLUSION WBRT and ASCT are effective consolidation treatments for patients with PCNSL who are 60 years of age and younger. The efficacy end points tended to favor the ASCT arm. The specific risk of each procedure should be considered.


2019 ◽  
Vol 37 (15_suppl) ◽  
pp. e13528-e13528
Author(s):  
Isabel P Prado ◽  
Frank Barbiero ◽  
Joachim M. Baehring ◽  
Kevin Becker ◽  
Zachary Corbin

e13528 Background: Primary CNS lymphoma (PCNSL) incidence is increasing among the elderly and immunocompromised. Especially for these vulnerable populations, a deeper understanding of the prognostic value of tumor biomarkers is necessary to recommend more targeted therapies. Our primary objective is to evaluate the predictive strength of immunohistochemical markers on PCNSL overall survival. Secondary objectives include estimating the impact of these biomarkers on event-free survival. Methods: We retrospectively analyzed PCNSL patients treated at Yale between 2000 and 2018. The primary endpoint is overall survival. Event-free survival, measured by time to relapse or death, is the secondary endpoint. Kaplan-Meier survival curves with log-log confidence intervals were used to estimate survival outcomes. Cox proportional hazards regression models were used to evaluate the statistical significance (at alpha = 0.05) of immunohistochemical markers. Results: One hundred ten subjects were analyzed. Not all biomarkers were available for every subject. The median age of the cohort is 64 years. Sixty-three patients died, and seventy-six experienced an event (progression or death). Surviving patients had a median follow-up of 4.36 years. The median overall survival is 2.63 years (95% confidence interval (CI): 1.13 to 5.98 years). Epstein-Barr virus (EBV) status by immunohistochemistry significantly impacted overall survival. Adjusting for age and immunocompromised status, EBV-positive patients had a higher risk of death than EBV-negative patients (n = 13, hazard ratio (HR) = 33.75, 95% CI: 1.61-708.68). Other significant biomarkers include the GFAP and S100 proteins. The median event-free survival is 1.13 years (95% CI: 0.66 to 2.12 years), and EBV-positive patients had an increased risk of event (HR = 38.23, 95% CI: 2.32-630.88). CD10, BCL2, BCL6, and MUM1 were not significant to predict either survival outcome. Conclusions: We describe a large cohort of PCNSL patients treated at a single institution with comparable survival outcomes to similar research yet conflicting evidence of biomarker significance. Multi-institutional studies may further clarify the prognostic role of immunohistochemistry for improved PCNSL patient survival.


2020 ◽  
Vol 38 (15_suppl) ◽  
pp. 2501-2501
Author(s):  
Antonio Marcilio Padula Omuro ◽  
Lisa Marie DeAngelis ◽  
Theodore Karrison ◽  
Joe A Bovi ◽  
Marc Rosenblum ◽  
...  

2501 Background: MTX-based chemoradiotherapy is effective in PCNSL, but carries a risk of severe neurotoxicity (NT), especially in the elderly. In a phase II single arm study, R-MPV-A chemotherapy was combined with substantially reduced doses of radiotherapy (23.4 Gy), achieving prolonged progression free survival (PFS) and overall survival (OS) with acceptable NT. Because R-MPV-A had never been tested without radiotherapy, we conducted a randomized study to determine if the low doses of radiation played a role in the observed disease control, and to characterize NT as compared to chemotherapy alone. Methods: Patients were stratified by MSK RPA class and randomized to receive R-MPV-A with LD-WBRT (chemoRT arm) versus R-MPV-A alone (chemo arm). MTX dose was 3.5g/m2 infused over 2 hours. Filgrastim and pegfilgrastim support was given to all patients. LD-WBRT dose was 23.4 Gy (1.8 Gy X 13). The primary endpoint was intent-to-treat (ITT) PFS. A sample size of 89 would provide 80% power to detect a hazard ratio (HR) of 0.63, with one-sided alpha level of 0.15. Results: A total of 91 patients were randomized, of whom 4 were ineligible. Among eligible patients, 43 were enrolled in the chemoRT arm and 44 in the chemo arm. Median age was 66 (chemoRT) and 59 (chemo). Median KPS was 80 for both arms. Response rates following R-MPV were 81% (chemoRT) and 83% (chemo). In the chemoRT arm, 37 patients (86%) received LD-WBRT. After median follow-up of 55 months (m), the median ITT PFS was 25 m in the chemo arm and not reached in the chemoRT arm (HR 0.51; 95% CI [0.27, 0.95]; p = 0.015). The 2-year PFS was 54% (chemo) and 78% (chemoRT). Salvage radiotherapy has been given to 11 patients in the chemo arm. Median OS was not reached in either arm, with data still maturing. In both arms, most common grades 3 or 4 toxicities were anemia (27%), lymphopenia (41%), neutropenia (35%), thrombocytopenia (26%), ALT (23%) and AST (13%). One patient died from sepsis (chemo arm). As per investigators’ assessment, the rate of clinically defined moderate to severe NT was 11.4% (chemo) and 14% (chemoRT), p = 0.75. Conclusions: The study met the primary endpoint, demonstrating the addition of LD-WBRT to R-MPV-A improves PFS in newly diagnosed PCNSL. As per investigator’s assessment, NT rates were not statistically significantly increased, but further neuropsychological testing and neuroimaging analyses are ongoing to characterize cognitive decline and how it compares to other consolidation treatments. Clinical trial information: NCT01399372 .


1998 ◽  
Vol 16 (9) ◽  
pp. 3000-3006 ◽  
Author(s):  
V Sandor ◽  
V Stark-Vancs ◽  
D Pearson ◽  
R Nussenblat ◽  
S M Whitcup ◽  
...  

PURPOSE Primary CNS lymphoma (PCNSL) and primary intraocular lymphoma (IOL) are usually treated with radiation therapy alone or in combination with chemotherapy. The neurotoxicity of these treatments can be substantial. This study attempts to define the toxicity and efficacy of the treatment of this disease with chemotherapy alone. PATIENTS AND METHODS Fourteen nonimmunocompromised patients were accrued to a chemotherapy regimen that incorporated a 24-hour infusion of high-dose methotrexate total dose of 8.4 g/m2 with leucovorin rescue; thiotepa 35 mg/m2; vincristine 1.4 mg/m2; dexamethasone; and intrathecal cytarabine (Ara-C) and methotrexate (MTV) administered in 21-day cycles. Seven patients were prospectively followed up with formal neuropsychologic assessments for evidence of CNS toxicity. RESULTS The response rate was 100% with 11 (79%) complete responses and three (21%) partial responses. Cumulative survival and progression-free survival rates at more than 4.5 years were 68.8% and 34.3%, respectively. Median survival has not been reached, and median progression-free survival was 16.5 months. Toxicity included severe leukoencephalopathy that was clearly attributable to chemotherapy (two patients), grade 3 or 4 neutropenia in 50% of the cycles administered, ileus (one patient), and seizures (two patients). Mucositis and renal and hepatic toxicity were mild and not therapy limiting. CONCLUSION The MTV regimen is generally well tolerated and produces a high complete response rate. Chemotherapy alone should be investigated further in this disease to assess the necessity of initial radiation therapy, either alone or in combined modality regimens, for the achievement of optimal response and survival.


2013 ◽  
Vol 31 (25) ◽  
pp. 3061-3068 ◽  
Author(s):  
James L. Rubenstein ◽  
Eric D. Hsi ◽  
Jeffrey L. Johnson ◽  
Sin-Ho Jung ◽  
Megan O. Nakashima ◽  
...  

Purpose Concerns regarding neurocognitive toxicity of whole-brain radiotherapy (WBRT) have motivated development of alternative, dose-intensive chemotherapeutic strategies as consolidation in primary CNS lymphoma (PCNSL). We performed a multicenter study of high-dose consolidation, without WBRT, in PCNSL. Objectives were to determine: one, rate of complete response (CR) after remission induction therapy with methotrexate, temozolomide, and rituximab (MT-R); two, feasibility of a two-step approach using high-dose consolidation with etoposide plus cytarabine (EA); three, progression-free survival (PFS); and four, correlation between clinical and molecular prognostic factors and outcome. Patients and Methods Forty-four patients with newly diagnosed PCNSL were treated with induction MT-R, and patients who achieved CR received EA consolidation. We performed a prospective analysis of molecular prognostic biomarkers in PCNSL in the setting of a clinical trial. Results The rate of CR to MT-R was 66%. The overall 2-year PFS was 0.57, with median follow-up of 4.9 years. The 2-year time to progression was 0.59, and for patients who completed consolidation, it was 0.77. Patients age > 60 years did as well as younger patients, and the most significant clinical prognostic variable was treatment delay. High BCL6 expression correlated with shorter survival. Conclusion CALGB 50202 demonstrates for the first time to our knowledge that dose-intensive consolidation for PCNSL is feasible in the multicenter setting and yields rates of PFS and OS at least comparable to those of regimens involving WBRT. On the basis of these encouraging results, an intergroup study has been activated comparing EA consolidation with myeloablative chemotherapy in this randomized trial in PCNSL, in which neither arm involves WBRT.


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