scholarly journals Primary Central Nervous System Lymphoma in Elderly Patients: Management and Perspectives

Cancers ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 13 (14) ◽  
pp. 3479
Author(s):  
Andrea Morales-Martinez ◽  
Fernando Lozano-Sanchez ◽  
Alberto Duran-Peña ◽  
Khe Hoang-Xuan ◽  
Caroline Houillier

The management of elderly patients suffering from primary central nervous system (CNS) lymphoma, who represent a rapidly growing population, is challenging. Despite the advances made in PCNSL treatment, the prognosis in older patients remains unsatisfactory. The high risk of systemic and CNS toxicity induced by a high-dose chemotherapy regimen and radiation therapy, respectively, limits the use of consolidation phase treatments in elderly patients and contributes to the poor outcome of these patients. Here, we review the current treatment strategies and ongoing trials proposed for elderly PCNSL patients.

2018 ◽  
Vol 38 (01) ◽  
pp. 086-094 ◽  
Author(s):  
Tracy Batchelor ◽  
Sarah Löw

Primary central nervous system lymphoma (PCNSL) is an extranodal non-Hodgkin lymphoma limited to the brain, spinal cord, leptomeninges, and eyes. The majority of patients are immunocompetent, with a median age of 65 years at diagnosis. Historically, whole-brain radiation therapy (WBRT) was the first and sole treatment for PCNSL. Today, due to the recognized neurotoxicity of WBRT, this modality is usually avoided in the treatment. Most chemotherapy regimens are based on high-dose methotrexate plus the anti-CD20 monoclonal antibody rituximab, leading to high response rates, but 5-year survival is still poor at approximately 30% compared with other extranodal lymphomas. New treatment strategies including high-dose chemotherapy/autologous stem cell transplantation, targeted therapies focusing on, for example, genetic alterations in B cells or mammalian target of rapamycin signaling, and immunotherapy with inhibitors of the programmed cell death 1 receptor are only a few options to improve the armamentarium against PCNSL.


2020 ◽  
Vol 38 (15_suppl) ◽  
pp. 2562-2562
Author(s):  
Shaha Nabeel ◽  
Zahoor Ahmed ◽  
Arafat Ali Farooqui ◽  
Zunairah Shah ◽  
Aqsa Ashraf ◽  
...  

2562 Background: High dose chemotherapy (HDCT) followed by autologous stem cell transplant (ASCT) has shown to overcome intrinsic chemo-resistance and improve disease control in Primary Central Nervous System Lymphoma (PCNSL). Our study reviews the treatment outcome in PCNSL with sequential HDCT and ASCT. Methods: 8/34 studies were finalized after systematic search of PubMed, Cochrane, and Clinicaltrials.gov for treatment of PCNSL with HDCT followed by ASCT. Results: 251/288 patients were evaluated. Mean age was 55.5 years. 227 underwent HDCT-ASCT. 174 were newly diagnosed (ND) and 77 had relapsed refractory (R/R) PCNSL. ND patients showed superior outcomes in terms of progression free survival and overall survival. Combinations of High dose Rituximab, Busulfan and Cyclophosphamide significantly improved survival outcomes in RR patients. Significant toxicities mainly included pancytopenias and opportunistic. Conclusions: Primary CNS lymphoma treated with HDCT followed by ASCT has shown promising outcomes and has set a benchmark for future studies. [Table: see text]


2018 ◽  
Vol 5 (3) ◽  
pp. 176-183
Author(s):  
Roy E Strowd ◽  
Gregory Russell ◽  
Fang-Chi Hsu ◽  
Annette F Carter ◽  
Michael Chan ◽  
...  

Abstract Background For cancer patients, rates of influenza-associated hospitalization and death are 4 times greater than that of the general population. Previously, we reported reduced immunogenicity to the standard-dose influenza vaccine in patients with central nervous system malignancy. In other poorly responding populations (eg, elderly patients), high-dose vaccination has improved efficacy and immunogenicity. Methods A prospective cohort study was designed to evaluate the immunogenicity of the Fluzone® high-dose influenza vaccine in brain tumor patients. Data on diagnosis, active oncologic treatment, and immunologic status (eg, CD4 count, CD8 count, CD4:CD8 ratio) were collected. All patients received the high-dose vaccine (180 µg). Hemagglutination inhibition titers were measured at baseline, day 28, and 3 months following vaccination to determine seroconversion (≥4-fold rise) and seroprotection (titer ≥1:40), which were compared to our prior results. Results Twenty-seven patients enrolled. Diagnoses included high-grade glioma (85%), CNS lymphoma (11%), and meningioma (4%). Treatment at enrollment included glucocorticoids (n = 8, 30%), radiation (n = 2, 7%), and chemotherapy (n = 9, 33%). Posttreatment lymphopenia (PTL, CD4 ≤ 200) was observed in 4 patients (15%). High-dose vaccination was well tolerated with no grade III-IV toxicity. Overall, seroconversion rates for the A/H1N1, A/H3N2, and B vaccine strains were significantly higher than in our prior study: 65% vs 37%, 69% vs 23%, and 50% vs 23%, respectively (all P < .04). Seroconversion was universally poor in patients with PTL. While seroprotection at 3 months declined in our prior study, no drop was observed following high-dose vaccination in this cohort. Conclusions The immunologic response to HD influenza vaccination was higher in this cohort than standard-dose influenza vaccination in our prior report. These findings mirror those in elderly patients where high-dose vaccination is the standard of care and raise the possibility of an immunosenescence phenotype.


2020 ◽  
Vol 18 (11) ◽  
pp. 1571-1578
Author(s):  
Matthias Holdhoff ◽  
Maciej M. Mrugala ◽  
Christian Grommes ◽  
Thomas J. Kaley ◽  
Lode J. Swinnen ◽  
...  

Primary central nervous system lymphomas (PCNSLs) are rare cancers of the central nervous system (CNS) and are predominantly diffuse large B-cell lymphomas of the activated B-cell (ABC) subtype. They typically present in the sixth and seventh decade of life, with the highest incidence among patients aged >75 years. Although many different regimens have demonstrated efficacy in newly diagnosed and relapsed or refractory PCNSL, there have been few randomized prospective trials, and most recommendations and treatment decisions are based on single-arm phase II trials or even retrospective studies. High-dose methotrexate (HD-MTX; 3–8 g/m2) is the backbone of preferred standard induction regimens. Various effective regimens with different toxicity profiles can be considered that combine other chemotherapies and/or rituximab with HD-MTX, but there is currently no consensus for a single preferred regimen. There is controversy about the role of various consolidation therapies for patients who respond to HD-MTX–based induction therapy. For patients with relapsed or refractory PCNSL who previously experienced response to HD-MTX, repeat treatment with HD-MTX–based therapy can be considered depending on the timing of recurrence. Other more novel and less toxic regimens have been developed that show efficacy in recurrent disease, including ibrutinib, or lenalidomide ± rituximab. There is uniform agreement to delay or avoid whole-brain radiation therapy due to concerns for significant neurotoxicity if a reasonable systemic treatment option exists. This article aims to provide a clinically practical approach to PCNSL, including special considerations for older patients and those with impaired renal function. The benefits and risks of HD-MTX or high-dose chemotherapy with autologous stem cell transplantation versus other, better tolerated strategies are also discussed. In all settings, the preferred treatment is always enrollment in a clinical trial if one is available.


2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Meng Wang ◽  
Baochang Qi ◽  
Jinming Han ◽  
Chunjie Guo ◽  
Limei Qu ◽  
...  

Abstract Background: Primary central nervous system lymphoma (PCNSL ) is a rare and aggressive malignant tumor. It is easy to be misdiagnosed due to its low incidence and unspecific presentations in clinical practice. PCNSL mainly occurs intracranially in the brain while spinal cord is rarely involved. Case presentation: Here we report a 76-year-old woman who had a suspicious tumor history and presented retardant paralysis, bladder dysfunction and sensory loss of the lower limbs. Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) of the thoracic spine disclosed longitudinally extensive lesions extending from thoracic 4 (T4) to lumbar 1 (L1) vertebral level with an enhanced nodular lesion noting at levels of T10 and T11 . In order to further identify the cause, the whole body 18 F-fluorodeoxyglucose ( 18 F-FDG) positron emission tomography (PET)/computed tomography (CT) was performed and showed a hypermetabolic nodule corresponded to MRI enhancing lesions, which further suggesting the possibility of a tumor. The patient then underwent a surgical resection and spinal cord biopsy confirmed the diagnosis of non-Hodgkin's lymphoma (diffuse large B-cell type). The patient then received a high-dose chemotherapy based on methotrexate combined with Rituximab. Unfortunately, the symptoms of this patient have not been improved significantly after three rounds of chemotherapy. Conclusion: Our case indicates that PCNSL may also serve as a possible cause for longitudinally extensive spinal cord lesions, especially the patients who had a suspicious tumor history, MRI enhancing lesion s in the spinal cord corresponded to hypermetabolic nodules on 18 F-FDG- PET/CT at the same level.


Blood ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 136 (Supplement 1) ◽  
pp. 16-17
Author(s):  
Cesar Gentille Sanchez ◽  
Ethan Burns ◽  
Ibrahim Muhsen ◽  
Humaira Sarfraz ◽  
Carlo Guerrero ◽  
...  

Introduction Primary Central Nervous System Lymphoma (PCNSL) is a rare form of extra-nodal non-Hodgkin Lymphoma (NHL), with diffuse large B-cell Lymphoma (DLBCL) reported in 90% of cases. Secondary CNS lymphoma (SCNSL) may occur as an isolated recurrence of previously diagnosed NHL or occur simultaneously as a manifestation of systemic disease. Comparative data on survival in treated PCNSL and SCNSL in the real-world setting is lacking. We present a retrospective analysis of outcomes in PCNSL and SCNSL patients treated at the Houston Methodist Cancer Center. Methods We retrospectively identified patients with a diagnosis of PCNSL or SCNSL from 2015 to 2020. Data collected included age, race, sex, diagnosis (PCNSL, SCNSL), histology and immunohistochemistry, treatment type (chemotherapy, radiation), transplant rates as well as outcomes (alive/dead). Responses were classified as complete response (CR), partial response (PR), stable disease (SD) and progressive disease (PD). Survival was analyzed using Kaplan-Meier methodology, and log-rank tests were used to compare survival distributions. P &lt; 0.05 was considered statistically significant. Results There were 50 patients with CNS lymphoma identified between 2015 and 2020; 68% were PCNSL. Out of 43 with available pathology, 2 patients were T-cell lymphomas and 41 DLBCL. Out of the DLBCL cases, 95% of cases expressed CD20 while close to 60% were positive for MUM1, bcl-2 and bcl-6. Less than 15% of cases were positive for CD10. CD30 was positive in 17% of cases. Cerebral hemispheres (76%) was the most common organ involved, followed by ocular (8%), intraventricular space (6%) and cerebellum (6%). Median age at diagnosis was 67 years; male to female ratio was 1.27. Caucasian (62%) and Hispanic (24%) were most common ethnicities. Epstein-Barr Virus was positive in 14% of patients (5 in PCNSL and 2 in SCNSL). One patient with SCNSL had human immunodeficiency virus. The median follow-up time was 9.1 months. Multiagent chemotherapy including high dose methotrexate (MTX), cytarabine and rituximab was given to 48% of the patients while 32% received high dose MTX alone plus rituximab. From the latter group, five out of sixteen patients received temozolomide. Other regimens were used in 6% of the cases. Median dose of MTX in a multiagent chemotherapy regimen was 2.5gr/m2 and 2.25gr/m2 when used alone or with temozolomide. Median number of cycles given was 3. Radiation therapy alone was given to 8% of cases. Three patients did not receive treatment. For patients with PCNSL, overall response rate (ORR) was 82.8% (CR 65.5%, PR 13.8%, SD 3.4%). ORRs were similar between multiagent chemotherapy and methotrexate alone (+/- temozolomide) with 86.7% and 83.3% respectively. ORR for SCNSL was 57.1% (CR 35.7%, PR 21.4%); only 1 patient was treated with MTX alone. Further lines of therapy were required in 9.3% of patients. Consolidation with whole brain radiation was given in 22% of the cases (29.4% for PCNSL and 6.3% for SCNSL). Autologous stem cell transplant was performed in 10% of the patients (2 PCNSL, 3 SCNSL). Overall survival for patients with PCNSL was 74.8 months and 10.1 months for SCNSL (p=0.0444) (Figure 1). Survival was not significant between patients receiving multiagent chemotherapy and MTX alone or in combination with temozolomide (3-year OS 57.3% vs 73.4%, p= 0.5652) (Figure 2). Conclusion Most patients diagnosed with PCNSL are non-germinal center DLBCL. Median MTX dose was lower than 3gr/m2 with excellent ORR of over 80% in PCNSL. Response rates were lower in SCNSL and in general, patients with PCNSL had better outcomes. Survival did not differ significantly between regimens, suggesting that a lower intensity therapy may perform similarly to multiagent chemotherapy. These results need to be confirmed by prospective studies. Disclosures No relevant conflicts of interest to declare.


2019 ◽  
Vol 7 ◽  
pp. 232470961989354
Author(s):  
Gliceida M. Galarza Fortuna ◽  
Kathrin Dvir ◽  
Christopher Febres-Aldana ◽  
Michael Schwartz ◽  
Ana Maria Medina

Primary central nervous system (CNS) lymphoma (PCNSL) is an uncommon extranodal non-Hodgkin lymphoma often presenting as a single brain lesion within the CNS. On histopathological evaluation of PCNSL a positive CD10, which is frequently observed in systemic diffuse large B-cell lymphoma, is present in approximately 10% of PCNSL. We describe a case of CD10-positive PCNSL presenting with multiple posterior fossa enhancing lesions in an immunocompetent older woman with a history of breast cancer successfully treated by the RTOG 0227 protocol consisting of pre-irradiation chemotherapy with high-dose methotrexate, rituximab, and temozolomide for 6 cycles, followed by low-dose whole-brain radiation and post-irradiation temozolomide.


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