scholarly journals Pencil Beam Scanning (PBS) Intensity-Modulated Proton Therapy (IMPT) Chemoradiotherapy for Anal Canal Cancer—Single Institution Experience

Cancers ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 14 (1) ◽  
pp. 185
Author(s):  
Pavel Vítek ◽  
Jiří Kubeš ◽  
Vladimír Vondráček ◽  
Michal Andrlik ◽  
Matěj Navrátíl ◽  
...  

Background: A favourable dose distribution has been described for proton beam therapy (PBT) of anal cancer in dosimetric studies. The relationship between dosimetric parameters in bone marrow and haematologic toxicity, treatment interruptions, and treatment efficacy has also been documented. There are only few references on clinical results of PBT for anal cancer. The primary objective of the retrospective study was to assess the efficacy of pencil beam scanning intensity-modulated proton therapy (PBS IMPT) in the definitive chemoradiotherapy of anal cancer. Secondary objectives were established to identify the risks of acute chronic toxicity risks and to assess colostomy rates. Materials and methods: Patients were treated for biopsy-proven squamous cell cancer (SCC) of the anus at initial or advanced stages. Eligible patients received PBS IMPT at a single institution. Treatment was administered in two volumes: 1—tumour with margins plus involved lymph nodes; 2—regional lymph node groups: perirectal (mesorectal), obturatory, inguinal, internal, external, and common iliac. The total doses of 57.5 GyE and 45 GyE, respectively, were administered in volumes 1 and 2 in 25 fractions, 5 fractions per week, respectively (a simultaneous integrated boost). Concomitant chemotherapy cisplatinum (CDDP) plus 5-FU or CDDP plus capecitabine was administered as per protocol. The treatment effect was assessed using DRE (digital rectal examination) and MRI (magnetic resonance imaging) within the follow-up period. Toxicity was scaled using CTCAE version 4.0 criteria. Results: 39 of 41 patients treated during the period of February 2014–August 2021 were eligible for analysis. All patients completed treatment, 76.9% without interruption. The median treatment time was 35 days (32–35). The median follow-up period was 30 months, 34 patients are alive to-date, 5 patients died prior to the date of analysis, and 2 deaths were unrelated to the primary disease. The 2-year overall survival, relapse-free survival, and colostomy-free survival were 94.2%, 93.8%, and 91.0%, respectively. Complete regression was achieved in 36 patients (92.3%), partial regression was achieved in 2 (5.1%), and immediate progression at end of treatment occurred in 1 patient (2.6%). Salvage resection was indicated for two patients in partial regression and due to severe chronic dermatologic toxicity. The grade 3 and 4 haematological toxicity rates were 7.7% and 5.1%, respectively. The most frequent non-haematological acute toxicities of grade 3–4 observed were dermatitis (23.1%), diarrhoea (7.7%), and dehydration (7.7%). Chronic toxicity emerged predominantly as skin atrophy/ulceration grade 2 (26.5%) and grade 3–4 (5.8%), and radiation proctitis grade 2 (38.2%) and grade 3 (2.9%). Discussion, conclusions: This single-institution study showed the high efficacy of PBS IMPT, achieving a high rate of complete regression. The haematological acute toxicity of grade 3–4 remained low; however, the impact of altered chemotherapy (CDDP instead of mitomycin C) remains unclear. The incidence of other acute toxicities shares similarity with photon therapy investigated in large studies. The acute toxicity completely resolved in all patients, had no lethal outcomes, and never resulted in the necessity for colostomy. By contrast, it was chronic toxicity, skin ulceration, perirectal fistulation, and fibrosis that resulted in salvage surgery and/or the need for a colostomy. A challenging question remains: to what extent can PBT prevent chronic toxicity? Longer follow-up remains necessary.

Cancers ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 13 (8) ◽  
pp. 1902
Author(s):  
Luciana Caravatta ◽  
Giovanna Mantello ◽  
Francesca Valvo ◽  
Pierfrancesco Franco ◽  
Lucrezia Gasparini ◽  
...  

A multi-institutional retrospective study was conducted to evaluate the pattern of care and clinical outcomes of anal cancer patients treated with intensity-modulated radiotherapy (IMRT) techniques. In a cohort of 987 patients, the clinical complete response (CR) rate (beyond 6 months) was 90.6%. The 3-year local control (LC) rate was 85.8% (95% CI: 84.4–87.2), and the 3-year colostomy-free survival (CFS) rate was 77.9% (95% CI: 76.1–79.8). Three-year progression-free survival (PFS) and overall survival (OS) rates were 80.2% and 88.1% (95% CI: 78.8–89.4) (95% CI: 78.5–81.9), respectively. Histological grade 3 and nodal involvement were associated with lower CR (p = 0.030 and p = 0.004, respectively). A statistically significant association was found between advanced stage and nodal involvement, and LC, CFS, PFS, OS and event-free survival (EFS). Overall treatment time (OTT) ≥45 days showed a trend for a lower PFS (p = 0.050) and was significantly associated with lower EFS (p = 0.030) and histological grade 3 with a lower LC (p = 0.025). No statistically significant association was found between total dose, dose/fraction and/or boost modality and clinical outcomes. This analysis reports excellent clinical results and a mild toxicity profile, confirming IMRT techniques as standard of care for the curative treatment of anal cancer patients. Lymph node involvement and histological grade have been confirmed as the most important negative prognostic factors.


2007 ◽  
Vol 61 (suppl_5) ◽  
pp. ONS202-ONS211 ◽  
Author(s):  
Nicholas C. Bambakidis ◽  
U. Kumar Kakarla ◽  
Louis J. Kim ◽  
Peter Nakaji ◽  
Randall W. Porter ◽  
...  

Abstract Objective: We examined the surgical approaches used at a single institution to treat petroclival meningioma and evaluated changes in method utilization over time. Methods: Craniotomies performed to treat petroclival meningioma between September of 1994 and July of 2005 were examined retrospectively. We reviewed 46 patients (mean follow-up, 3.6 yr). Techniques included combined petrosal or transcochlear approaches (15% of patients), retrosigmoid craniotomies with or without some degree of petrosectomy (59% of patients), orbitozygomatic craniotomies (7% of patients), and combined orbitozygomatic-retrosigmoid approaches (19% of patients). In 18 patients, the tumor extended supratentorially. Overall, the rate of gross total resection was 43%. Seven patients demonstrated progression over a mean of 5.9 years. No patients died. At 36 months, the progression-free survival rate for patients treated without petrosal approaches was 96%. Of 14 patients treated with stereotactic radiosurgery, none developed progression. Conclusion: Over the study period, a diminishing proportion of patients with petroclival meningioma were treated using petrosal approaches. Utilization of the orbitozygomatic and retrosigmoid approaches alone or in combination provided a viable alternative to petrosal approaches for treatment of petroclival meningioma. Regardless of approach, progression-free survival rates were excellent over short-term follow-up period.


2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jane E. Rogers ◽  
Michael Lam ◽  
Daniel M. Halperin ◽  
Cecile G. Dagohoy ◽  
James C. Yao ◽  
...  

We evaluated outcomes of treatment with 5-fluorouracil (5-FU), doxorubicin, and streptozocin (FAS) in well-differentiated pancreatic neuroendocrine tumors (PanNETs) and its impact on subsequent therapy (everolimus or temozolomide). Advanced PanNET patients treated at our center from 1992 to 2013 were retrospectively reviewed. Patients received bolus 5-FU (400 mg/m2), streptozocin (400 mg/m2) (both IV, days 1-5) and doxorubicin (40 mg/m2 IV, day 1) every 28 days. Overall response rate (ORR) was assessed using RECIST version 1.1. Of 243 eligible patients, 220 were evaluable for ORR, progression-free survival (PFS), and toxicity. Most (90%) had metastatic, nonfunctional PanNETs; 14% had prior therapy. ORR to FAS was 41% (95% confidence interval [CI]: 36-48%). Median follow-up was 61 months. Median PFS was 20 (95% CI: 15-23) months; median overall survival (OS) was 63 (95% CI: 60-71) months. Cox regression analyses suggested improvement with first-line vs subsequent lines of FAS therapy. Main adverse events ≥ grade 3 were neutropenia (10%) and nausea/vomiting (5.5%). Dose reductions were required in 32% of patients. Post-FAS everolimus (n=108; 68% second line) had a median PFS of 10 (95% CI: 8-14) months. Post-FAS temozolomide (n=60; 53% > fourth line) had an ORR of 13% and median PFS of 5.2 (95% CI: 4-12) months. In this largest reported cohort of PanNETs treated with chemotherapy, FAS demonstrated activity without significant safety concerns. FAS did not appear to affect subsequent PFS with everolimus; this sequence is being evaluated prospectively. Responses were noted with subsequent temozolomide-based regimens although PFS was possibly limited by line of therapy.


2020 ◽  
Vol 22 (Supplement_3) ◽  
pp. iii387-iii387
Author(s):  
Andrey Levashov ◽  
Dmitry Khochenkov ◽  
Anna Stroganova ◽  
Marina Ryzhova ◽  
Sergey Gorelyshev ◽  
...  

Abstract The aim of this study was to estimate treatment toxicity and event-free survival (EFS) according to therapeutic program, MYC/MYC-N gene amplification and MGMT/DNMT (1, 3a, 3b) proteins expression in tumor cells. From 2016 to 2018 twenty four patients were included in trial. Children underwent adjuvant therapy: craniospinal radiation (CSI) or local radiation therapy (RT) to the relapsed site up to 23.4Gy with 5-azacytidine, 2 cycles methotrexate/5-azacytidine/cisplatin/etoposide, 3 cycles 5-azacytidine/temozolomide - for relapsed group (arm A, n = 5); for patients with de novo medulloblastoma: arm B, n = 11 – vincristine/cyclophosphamide/cisplatin/etoposide (OPEC) - based induction, CSI 36Gy + local RT to the tumor bed up to 54Gy with 5-azacytidine, 1 cycle OPEC and 2 cycles thiophosphamide/carboplatin with auto stem cell transplantation (auto-SCT); arm C, n = 8 – cyclophosphamide/cisplatin - based induction, CSI 23.4 Gy followed by 2 cycles 5-azacytidine/thiophosphamide/carboplatin with auto-SCT, local RT with 5-azacytidine. The combination of 5-azacytidine with local RT or temozolomide was safety and tolerability. Arm C was discontinued due to severe gastrointestinal grade 3/4 toxicity, hemorrhagic syndrome after combination of 5-azacytidine with thiophosphamide/carboplatin. EFS was 0% in arm A, 53.0 ± 15.5%, 50.0 ± 17.7% in arms B and C, a median follow-up 8.8 ± 1.1 months (arm A), 18.8 ± 2.5 months (arm B), 25.0 ± 4.4 months (arm C). Addition of 5-azacytidine to RT or chemotherapy did not improve EFS of patients with MYC/MYC-N gene amplification positive tumor. There was not determined any prognostic significance of MGMT/DNMT (1, 3a, 3b) proteins expression in this cohort.


2021 ◽  
Vol 39 (3_suppl) ◽  
pp. 205-205
Author(s):  
Daisuke Takahari ◽  
Manabu Ohashi ◽  
Atsuo Takashima ◽  
Takuro Mizukami ◽  
Naoki Ishizuka ◽  
...  

205 Background:TAS-118 (S-1 and leucovorin) + oxaliplatin (L-OHP) improved overall survival (OS) compared to S-1 + cisplatin for patients (pts) with advanced gastric cancer (GC) (Kang, Lancet Oncol. 2020). This study investigated the feasibility of peri (pre and post)-operative (op) chemotherapy (chemo) with TAS-118 ± L-OHP in pts with locally advanced resectable GC. While it was reported that pre-op TAS-118 + L-OHP followed by D2 gastrectomy was well tolerated and showed promising efficay (Takahari, ASCO-GI. 2020), the recommended post-op chemo regimen, TAS-118 or TAS-118 + L-OHP, has yet to be determined. Methods:Eligible pts with GC of clinical T3-4N1-3M0 were enrolled. The protocol treatment consisted of pre-op chemo with 4 courses of TAS-118 (40-60 mg/body, orally, twice daily, 7 days) + L-OHP (85 mg/m2, intravenously, day 1) in a 2-week cycle, and gastrectomy with D2 lymphadenectomy, followed by post-op chemo with 12 courses of TAS-118 (step 1) and 8 courses of TAS-118 + L-OHP (step 2). Step 2 was started if the dose-limiting toxicity (DLT) occurred in < 6 of 10 pts in step 1. Up to 20 pts were included in the analysis of feasibility after a recommended regimen was determined. Results:Between December 2016 and February 2019, 45 pts were enrolled. The numbers of pts with cT3/4a and cN1/2/3 were 13/32 and 25/17/3, respectively. Excluding 14 pts (4 achieving pathological complete response, 4 not satisfying the criteria for post-op chemo, 3 physician judgement or pt withdrawal, 2 progressive disease, 1 adverse event [AE]), 31 pts (11/20 in step 1/2) received the post-op chemo. No DLT was observed in either step. The post-op chemo completion rate was 90.9% (95% CI, 63.6-99.5) in step 1 and 80.0% (95% CI, 59.9-92.9) in step 2. The median relative dose intensity of TAS-118 in step 1 was 83.3%, and those of TAS-118 and L-OHP in step 2 were 69.9% and 74.3%, respectively. One pt in step 2 discontinued post-op chemo due to AE. Grade ³ 3 AEs observed in ≥ 10% of pts were weight loss in both step 1 and step 2 (2 in each), and hypokalemia (n = 3) and neutropenia (n = 2) in step 2. At 1-year follow-up after the last pt was enrolled, recurrence-free survival and OS rates were 91.1% (95% CI, 78.0-96.6) and 100%, respectively at 12 months, and 69.1% (95% CI, 49.6-82.3) and 95.5% (95% CI, 71.9-99.3), respectively at 24 months. Conclusions:Taken together with the feasibility and efficacy of pre-op chemo, peri-op chemo with TAS-118 + L-OHP with D2 gastrectomy was well tolerated and showed promising efficacy. Clinical trial information: UMIN000024688.


2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Xiaoyao Feng ◽  
Jing Li ◽  
Aomei Li ◽  
Han Zhou ◽  
Xixu Zhu ◽  
...  

Abstract BackgroundSoft tissue sarcoma(STS) is a malignant tumor of highly heterogeneous mesenchymal origin. STS has a biologic pattern and clinical transformation with localized invasive growth and susceptibility to hematogenous metastasis. Metastatic and recurrent soft tissue sarcoma may be treated by local therapeutic options, including surgery and radiation therapy. This study evaluated the safety and efficacy of SBRT for metastatic and recurrent soft tissue sarcoma.MethodsWe performed a retrospective analysis of 37 STS patients with 58 lesions treated with SBRT from 2009-2019 at our institution. We analyze the local control (LC), overall survival (OS), progression free survival (PFS) and toxicity rates of the patients.ResultThe median follow-up was 20 months(range 2 to 120 months). One and two year LC rates were 75.3% and 55.2% [95% confidence interval (CI) 20–25 months]. Median OS was 24 months and the survival rates were 66.6%, 45% and 26.6% at 1, 2 and 3-year after SBRT. Median PFS were 11months (95% CI 8–18 months). No acute or chronic grade ≥ 3 toxicity was observed.ConclusionsIn patients with metastatic and recurrent STS, LC, OS and PFS were higher than expected. SBRT should be a proper treatment option for STS.


Blood ◽  
2018 ◽  
Vol 132 (Supplement 1) ◽  
pp. 1972-1972
Author(s):  
Yael C Cohen ◽  
Hila Magen ◽  
Noa Lavi ◽  
Moshe E. Gatt ◽  
Evgeni Chubar ◽  
...  

Abstract Introduction Ixazomib is an orally available proteasome inhibitor, shown to be safe and efficacious in combination with lenalidomide and dexamethasone (IRd regimen) in patients with relapsed and refractory multiple myeloma (RRMM) with 1-3 prior lines, demonstrating a progression free survival (PFS) benefit which was similar across cytogenetic risk groups (Tourmaline-MM1 phase 3 trial). A European real world data analysis of an IRd named patient program (NPP) outcomes in Greece (n=35), UK (n=46) and Check republic (n=57) showed similar favorable outcomes (Terpos et al, Blood 2017 130:3087). We aimed to analyze outcomes of ixazomib combinations among a multi-site cohort in the Israeli Myeloma registry. Overall response rate (ORR) was classified according to IMWG criteria. Primary endpoint was PFS, secondary endpoints included ORR, overall survival (OS), safety and tolerability. Patients A total of 78 patients across 7 sites, who received at least one cycle of ixazomib combination between June 2013 and June 2018 for treatment of RRMM were retrospectively included. Median age was 68 (range: 38-90). Male/Female ratio was 42/36. ISS (rISS) I/II/II was 30%/42%/27% (25%/54%/15%). Patient received between 1 and 7 prior lines of therapy, 66% received ixazomib in 2nd line, 18% in 3rd line. Overall, 89% of patients had been exposed to PIs (bortezomib 86%) prior to IRd, 41% to IMiDs (thalidomide 28% lenalidomide 22% and pomalidomide 6%), and 35% had undergone autologous transplantation (ASCT). Induction treatment was mostly bortezomib based (85%), most frequently VCD (62%). FISH cytogenetics were available for 60 patients, 29 (48%) had high or intermediate risk aberrations (t(4:14) 12 pts, amp 1q21 12 pts, del17p 9 pts). Disease aggressiveness was classified by treating physician as indolent (rapid control to protect from target organ damage not required) vs aggressive (imminent target organ damage) in 63% vs 27%, respectively. 60 (77%) of the 78 patients received ixazomib via a named patient program, the rest via national or private healthcare provider. Results Median time of follow up from first ixazomib dose was 22 months (range: 1-39 months), and 54 months from diagnosis of myeloma. Treatment is ongoing in 44 (56%) patients with a median duration of 19 months (range: 1-29). Among patients who discontinued treatment, the median duration was 9 months (1-31). Ixazomib was combined with lenalidomide, pomalidomide, and daratumumab in 69%, 9% and 4%, respectively. Overall response rate was 88% - CR 10%, VGPR 36%, PR 42%. Progression free survival was 78% and 54% at 12 and 24 months, respectively (fig1a). A worse PFS was found with physician assessment of aggressive vs indolent disease (14.5 vs 25.9 months, p=0.001), and with post induction progression free period (PFS1) ≤ 24 months vs. >24 months (23.9 vs 31.5 months, p=0.038) (fig 1b); age >=65 trended towards a worse PFS (p=0.058). Poor cytogenetic risk, prior exposure to bortezomib, prior auto transplant, and number of prior lines of therapy did not affect PFS or ORR. OS from first ixazomib administration was 90% and 81% at 12 and 24 months, respectively; median OS was not reached (fig1a). Any (grade 3-4) toxicity considered by investigator as related to ixazomib was reported in 70% (18% grade 3-4), including neutropenia 14% (6%), anemia 19% (6%), thrombocytopenia 17% (5%), nausea and vomiting 17% (1%), DVT/PE 4% (1%), neutropenic infection 0 (4%), peripheral neuropathy 14% (3%), diarrhea 14% (3%), rash 10% (4%), pneumonia 5% (3%). There were no ixazomib related deaths. Dose reduction or discontinuation due to toxicity occurred in 28% and 12%, respectively. Conclusion Our data shows ixazomib-based combinations are efficacious and safe regimens for patients with RRMM, achieving ORR of 88%, at 2nd as well as later lines of therapy, regardless to cytogenetic risk. Over a median follow up of almost 2-years, 54% remained progression free at 24 months. An ixazomib based regimen may be particularly attractive for patients who remain progression free for more than 24 months after a bortezomib induction and for patients with a more indolent disease phenotype. Disclosures Cohen: Neopharm Israel: Consultancy, Honoraria; Takeda: Consultancy, Honoraria, Research Funding; Amgen: Consultancy, Honoraria, Research Funding; Janssen: Honoraria, Research Funding; Medisson Israel: Consultancy, Honoraria, Research Funding. Tadmor:NOVARTIS: Consultancy; PFIEZER: Consultancy; ABBVIE: Consultancy; JNJ: Consultancy; ROCHE: Research Funding.


Author(s):  
Michael A. Postow ◽  
Debra A. Goldman ◽  
Alexander N. Shoushtari ◽  
Allison Betof Warner ◽  
Margaret K. Callahan ◽  
...  

PURPOSE Nivolumab + ipilimumab (nivo + ipi) is highly efficacious but has high toxicity. Standard treatment in advanced melanoma is four doses of nivo + ipi followed by nivo alone. Whether four doses of nivo + ipi are needed is unclear. METHODS The Adaptively Dosed ImmunoTherapy Trial (ADAPT-IT) study ( NCT03122522 ) is a multicenter, single-arm phase II clinical trial. Patients received two doses of nivo (1 mg/kg) + ipi (3 mg/kg) followed by a computed tomography scan at week 6. Patients without new lesions or index lesion tumor growth of > 4% had protocol-defined early favorable antitumor effect (FATE) and ceased nivo + ipi, transitioning to nivo monotherapy. Patients without FATE at week 6 received the standard third and fourth doses of nivo + ipi followed by nivo monotherapy. The primary end point was response rate by RECIST 1.1 at week 12. Secondary end points included additional efficacy assessments and safety. RESULTS Sixty patients were enrolled; 41 patients (68%) had FATE at week 6 and met criteria for stopping nivo + ipi. Best overall response rates by RECIST at week 12 or any time afterward were 48% (95% CI, 35 to 62) and 58% (95% CI, 45 to 71), respectively. With a median follow-up of 25 months, the estimated 18-month progression-free survival and overall survival are 52% and 80%, respectively. Fifty seven percent of patients had grade 3-5 treatment-related toxicity. CONCLUSION The efficacy and toxicity of standard four dose nivo + ipi induction therapy in melanoma is likely driven by the first two doses. An interim computed tomography scan after two doses guided cessation of combination dosing and identified almost all responders. Longer follow-up and further study are needed to fully understand the implications of a shortened induction course of nivo + ipi.


2020 ◽  
pp. JCO.20.02259
Author(s):  
Paul G. Richardson ◽  
Albert Oriol ◽  
Alessandra Larocca ◽  
Joan Bladé ◽  
Michele Cavo ◽  
...  

PURPOSE Melphalan flufenamide (melflufen) is a first-in-class peptide-drug conjugate that targets aminopeptidases and rapidly and selectively releases alkylating agents into tumor cells. The phase II HORIZON trial evaluated the efficacy of melflufen plus dexamethasone in relapsed and refractory multiple myeloma (RRMM), a population with an important unmet medical need. PATIENTS AND METHODS Patients with RRMM refractory to pomalidomide and/or an anti-CD38 monoclonal antibody received melflufen 40 mg intravenously on day 1 of each 28-day cycle plus once weekly oral dexamethasone at a dose of 40 mg (20 mg in patients older than 75 years). The primary end point was overall response rate (partial response or better) assessed by the investigator and confirmed by independent review. Secondary end points included duration of response, progression-free survival, overall survival, and safety. The primary analysis is complete with long-term follow-up ongoing. RESULTS Of 157 patients (median age 65 years; median five prior lines of therapy) enrolled and treated, 119 patients (76%) had triple-class–refractory disease, 55 (35%) had extramedullary disease, and 92 (59%) were refractory to previous alkylator therapy. The overall response rate was 29% in the all-treated population, with 26% in the triple-class–refractory population. In the all-treated population, median duration of response was 5.5 months, median progression-free survival was 4.2 months, and median overall survival was 11.6 months at a median follow-up of 14 months. Grade ≥ 3 treatment-emergent adverse events occurred in 96% of patients, most commonly neutropenia (79%), thrombocytopenia (76%), and anemia (43%). Pneumonia (10%) was the most common grade 3/4 nonhematologic event. Thrombocytopenia and bleeding (both grade 3/4 but fully reversible) occurred concomitantly in four patients. GI events, reported in 97 patients (62%), were predominantly grade 1/2 (93%); none were grade 4. CONCLUSION Melflufen plus dexamethasone showed clinically meaningful efficacy and a manageable safety profile in patients with heavily pretreated RRMM, including those with triple-class–refractory and extramedullary disease.


2020 ◽  
Vol 38 (3) ◽  
pp. 248-256 ◽  
Author(s):  
Hanneke C. Kluin-Nelemans ◽  
Eva Hoster ◽  
Olivier Hermine ◽  
Jan Walewski ◽  
Christian H. Geisler ◽  
...  

PURPOSE In an update of the randomized, open-label, phase III European Mantle Cell Lymphoma (MCL) Elderly trial (ClinicalTrials.gov identifier: NCT00209209 ), published in 2012, we aimed to confirm results on long-term outcome focusing on efficacy and safety of long-term use of rituximab maintenance. PATIENTS AND METHODS Five hundred sixty patients with newly diagnosed MCL underwent a first random assignment between rituximab, cyclophosphamide, doxorubicin, vincristine, and prednisone (R-CHOP) and rituximab, fludarabine, and cyclophosphamide (R-FC) induction, followed by a second random assignment in 316 responders between rituximab and interferon alfa maintenance, to be continued until progression. We compared progression-free survival from the second randomization and overall survival (OS) from the first or second randomizations. RESULTS After a median follow-up time of 7.6 years, the previously described difference in OS between the induction arms persisted (median, 6.4 years after R-CHOP [n = 280] v 3.9 years after R-FC [n = 280]; P = .0054). Patients responding to R-CHOP had median progression-free survival and OS times of 5.4 and 9.8 years, respectively, when randomly assigned to rituximab (n = 87), compared with 1.9 years ( P < .001) and 7.1 years ( P = .0026), respectively, when randomly assigned to interferon alfa (n = 97). In 58% and 32% of patients treated with R-CHOP, rituximab maintenance was still ongoing 2 and 5 years from start of maintenance, respectively. After R-FC, rituximab maintenance was associated with an unexpectedly high cumulative incidence of death in remission (22% at 5 years). Toxicity of rituximab maintenance was low after R-CHOP (grade 3-4 leukopenia or infection < 5%) but more prominent in patients on rituximab maintenance after R-FC, in whom grade 3-4 leukopenia (up to 40%) and infections were frequent (up to 15%). CONCLUSION The excellent results of R-CHOP followed by rituximab maintenance until progression for older patients with MCL persisted in a mature follow-up. Prolongation of rituximab maintenance beyond 2 years is effective and safe.


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