Treatment of Early-Stage Nodular Lymphocyte-Predominant Hodgkin Lymphoma: A Subgroup Analysis of the Randomized German Hodgkin Study Group HD16 Study

Background: Nodular lymphocyte-predominant Hodgkin lymphoma (NLPHL) is a rare lymphoma entity accounting for approximately 5% of all Hodgkin lymphoma (HL) cases. Pathological and clinical characteristics differ from classical HL (cHL). In contrast to cHL, the malignant cells in NLPHL are consistently positive for CD20 but stain negative for CD30. The clinical course of NLPHL is usually indolent and patients present with early-stage disease more frequently than in cHL. Patients and Methods: We investigated characteristics and outcomes of 85 patients with NLPHL (stage IB and stage II without risk factors) who had treatment within the randomized German Hodgkin Study Group HD16 study for early-stage HL. Results were compared to those from 495 cHL patients (stage IB and stage II without risk factors) treated within the same study. Patients were randomized between standard treatment consisting of 2 cycles of ABVD followed by consolidation radiotherapy and treatment guided by interim positron emission tomography after 2 cycles of ABVD (PET-2). PET-2-guided treatment consisted of 2 cycles of ABVD alone for patients with a negative PET-2 and 2 cycles of ABVD followed by consolidation radiotherapy for patients with a positive PET-2 (defined as a Deauville score ≥ 3). Progression-free survival (PFS) and overall survival (OS) were analyzed using the Kaplan-Meier method including 95%-confidence intervals (95%-CI) and hazard ratios (HR) obtained from Cox regression models. Analyses were performed descriptively. Results: Overall, 62/85 NLPHL patients (73%) were male as compared to 254/495 cHL patients (51%) (p=0.0002). The median age was 37 years (range: 19-71 years) among patients with NLPHL and 36 years (range: 18-75 years) among patients with cHL (p=0.4380). Information on the histopathological growth pattern was available for 67/85 NLPHL patients of which 44 (66%) had a typical growth pattern. The PET-2 was positive in 39/85 NLPHL patients (46%) and in 171/495 cHL patients (35%) (p=0.0507). After a median observation time of 64 months, the 5-year PFS was 90.3% (95%-CI: 83.8-96.7%) for all 85 NLPHL patients and 90.8% (95%-CI: 88.1-93.5%) for all 495 cHL patients (HR=1.1; 95%-CI: 0.5-2.1). The 5-year PFS rates for PET-2-positive NLPHL (n=39) and cHL (n=171) patients were 89.3% (95%-CI: 79.4-99.2%) and 91.6% (95%-CI: 87.2-96%) (HR= 1.3; 95%-CI: 0.5-3.5), respectively. The 5-year PFS rates for PET-2-negative NLPHL (n=46) and cHL (n=324) patients were 91% (95%-CI: 82.7-99.4%) and 90.4% (95%-CI: 87-99.4%) (HR=0.85; 95%-CI: 0.3-2.4), respectively. PET-2-negative NLPHL (n=25) and cHL (n=152) patients treated with 2 cycles of ABVD alone had 5-year PFS rates of 83% (95%-CI: 67.8-98.2%) and 88.2% (95%-CI: 82.7-93.6%) (HR=1.5, 95%-CI: 0.5-4.5), respectively. In contrast, PET-2-negative NLPHL (n=21) and cHL (n=172) patients treated with 2 cycles of ABVD followed by consolidation radiotherapy had 5-year PFS rates of 100% and 92.3% (95%-CI: 88.1-96.5%) (HR=0; 95%-CI: 0), respectively. NLPHL patients with a typical growth pattern (n=44) had a 5-year PFS of 95.2% (95%-CI: 88.8-100%) whereas patients with an atypical growth pattern (n=23) had a 5-year PFS of 82.2% (95%-CI: 66.3-98%) (HR=2.5; 95%-CI: 0.5-11.2). A total of 9 NLPHL patients experienced disease progression or relapse during follow-up. The median time to NLPHL recurrence was 14 months (range: 1-89 months). There were 2 cases of second primary malignancies (1 case of malignant melanoma, 1 case of stomach cancer) among patients with NLPHL. No patient developed histological transformation into aggressive B-cell non-Hodgkin lymphoma. The 5-year OS rates were 100% and 98.6% (95%-CI: 97.5-99.7%) (HR=0; 95%-CI: 0) for patients with NLPHL and cHL, respectively. Conclusion: Taken together, the 5-year outcomes for patients with newly diagnosed early-stage NLPHL were similar to their counterparts with cHL. Thus, the current standard of care for early-stage cHL consisting of 2 cycles of ABVD followed by consolidation radiotherapy represents a highly active option also for the treatment of patients with the initial diagnosis of stage IB and stage II NLPHL without risk factors. Disclosures Fuchs: Takeda: Consultancy, Honoraria; Lukon: Honoraria; Celgene: Honoraria; BMS: Honoraria; MSD: Honoraria. von Tresckow: AstraZeneca: Honoraria, Other: congress and travel support; Kite-Gilead: Consultancy, Honoraria; BMS-Celgene: Consultancy, Honoraria, Other: congress and travel support; Amgen: Consultancy, Honoraria; AbbVie: Other: congress and travel support; Pfizer: Consultancy, Honoraria; Novartis: Consultancy, Honoraria, Other: congress and travel support, Research Funding; Pentixafarm: Consultancy, Honoraria; MSD: Consultancy, Honoraria, Other: congress and travel support, Research Funding; Roche: Consultancy, Honoraria; Takeda: Consultancy, Honoraria, Other, Research Funding. Engert: Takeda: Consultancy, Honoraria, Research Funding; BMS: Honoraria, Research Funding; Astra Zeneca: Consultancy, Honoraria; Tessa Therapeutics: Consultancy; Amgen: Honoraria; ADC Therapeutics: Consultancy; MSD: Honoraria; Hexal: Honoraria.

Role of radiotherapy to bulky sites of advanced Hodgkin lymphoma treated with ABVD: final results of FIL HD0801 trial

The role of consolidation radiotherapy (RT) to bulky lesions is controversial for advanced-stage Hodgkin's lymphoma (HL) patients achieving complete metabolic response (CMR) after ABVD-based chemotherapy. Herein we present the final results of the Fondazione Italiana Linfomi HD0801 trial, investigating the potential benefit of RT in that particular setting. In this phase III randomized study, patients with a bulky lesion at baseline (mass with the largest diameter ≥5 cm) achieving CMR after 2 and 6 ABVD cycles were randomly assigned 1:1 to RT vs observation with a primary endpoint of event-free survival (EFS) at two years. The sample size was calculated estimating an EFS improvement for RT of 20% (from 60% to 80%). The secondary endpoint was progression-free survival (PFS). One-hundred and sixteen (116) patients met the inclusion criteria and were randomized. Intention-to-treat (ITT) analysis showed a 2-year EFS of 87.8% vs. 85.8% for RT vs. observation, respectively (HR:1.5, CI:0.6-3.5, p=0.34). Per-protocol (PP) analysis showed a 2-year EFS of 89.6% vs. 85.8%, respectively (HR:1.19, CI:0.47-3.02, p=0.71). At 2 years, ITT PFS was 91.3% vs. 85.8% (HR:1.2, CI:0.5-3, p=0.7), while PP PFS was 93.8% vs. 85.8% (HR:0.7, CI:0.2-2.1, p=0.52) for RT vs observation, respectively. Our study showed that patients in CMR randomized to observation have a very good outcome and the primary endpoint of a 20% benefit in EFS for RT was not met. However, the sample size was under-powered to detect a benefit of 10% or less, keeping open the question on potential, more limited, role of RT in this setting. This trial was registered at www.clinicaltrials.gov as # NCT00784537.

Involved Site Radiotherapy Extends Time to Premature Menopause in Infra-Diaphragmatic Female Hodgkin Lymphoma Patients – An Analysis of GHSG HD14- and HD17-Patients

IntroductionConsolidation radiotherapy in intermediate stage Hodgkin´s lymphoma (HL) has been the standard of care for many years as involved field radiotherapy (IFRT) after chemotherapy. It included initially involved region(s). Based on randomized studies, radiation volumes could be reduced and involved site radiation therapy (ISRT) became the new standard. ISRT includes the initially affected lymph nodes. In young adults suffering from HL, infertility and hypogonadism are major concerns. With regard to these questions, we analyzed the influence of modern radiotherapy concepts such as consolidating ISRT in infradiaphragmatic involvement of HL after polychemotherapy.Patients and MethodsFive hundred twelve patients treated within German Hodgkin Study Group (GHSG) HD14 and HD17 trials were evaluated. We analyzed log-adjusted follicle-stimulating-hormone (FSH)- and luteinizing-hormone (LH)-levels of HD14-patients with infradiaphragmatic radiotherapy (IDRT) in comparison with HD14-patients, who had a supradiaphragmatic radiotherapy (SDRT). In a second step, we compared IFRT with ISRT of female HD17 patients regarding the effects on ovarian function and premature menopause.ResultsWe analyzed FSH- and LH-levels of 258 female and 241 male patients, all treated with IFRT. Of these 499 patients, 478 patients had SDRT and 21 patients had IDRT. In a multiple regression model, we could show that log-adjusted FSH (p=0.0006) and LH values (p=0.0127) were significantly higher after IDRT than after SDRT. The effect of IDRT on gonadal function was comparable to two cycles of escalated bleomycin, etoposide, doxorubicin, cyclophosphamide, vincristine, procarbazine, and prednisone (BEACOPPesc). We compared the effect of IFRT with ISRT in thirteen female HD17 patients with infradiaphragmatic (ID) involvement. The mean ovarian dose after ISRT was significantly lower than after IFRT. The calculated proportion of surviving non-growing follicles (NGFs) increased significantly from 11.87% to 24.48% in ISRT compared to IFRT, resulting in a significantly longer calculated time to menopause. The younger the age at therapy, the greater the absolute time gain until menopause.ConclusionInfradiaphragmatic IFRT impairs gonadal function to a similar extent as two cycles of BEACOPPesc. In comparison, the use of ISRT target volume definition significantly reduced radiation dose to the ovaries and significantly extends the time interval from treatment to premature menopause.

Primary Mediastinal Large B-cell Lymphoma Treatment and Prevention of Anthracycline Cardiotoxicity: A Case Report

Primary mediastinal B-cell lymphoma (PMBCL) is a relatively rare lymphoma subtype affecting mainly young adults. Its molecular signature and clinical features resemble classical Hodgkin lymphoma. The optimal chemotherapy for this lymphoma subtype has not been established. The addition of rituximab to anthracycline based chemotherapy improved response rates and survival. Many centers use R-CHOP as standard treatment, but the role of the intensified regimens and consolidation radiotherapy has to be clarified. Recent data coming from retrospective analyses and an ongoing prospective study addressing the problem of consolidation radiotherapy will help to better identify risk groups and apply risk-adapted and effective treatment strategies. The latest research has helped to understand molecular mechanisms of PMBCL pathogenesis and indicated targets of directed therapy for the future.

Consolidation Radiotherapy Could Be Safely Omitted in Advanced Hodgkin Lymphoma With Large Nodal Mass in Complete Metabolic Response After ABVD: Final Analysis of the Randomized GITIL/FIL HD0607 Trial

PURPOSE To investigate the role of consolidation radiotherapy (cRT) in advanced-stage Hodgkin lymphoma (HL) presenting at baseline with a large nodal mass (LNM) in complete metabolic response after doxorubicin, bleomycin, vinblastine, and dacarbazine (ABVD) chemotherapy. PATIENTS AND METHODS Advanced-stage (IIB-IVB) HL patients, enrolled in the HD 0607 trial (Clinicaltrial.gov identifier NCT00795613 ), with both a negative PET after two (PET-2) and six (PET-6) ABVD cycles, who presented at baseline with an LNM, defined as a nodal mass with the largest diameter ≥ 5 cm, were prospectively randomly assigned to receive cRT over the LNM or no further treatment (NFT). RESULTS Among 296 randomly assigned patients, the largest diameter of LNM at baseline was 5-7 cm in 101 (34%; subgroup A) and 8-10 cm in 96 (32%; subgroup B), whereas classic bulky (diameter > 10 cm) was detected in 99 (33%; subgroup C). Two hundred eighty patients (88%) showed a postchemotherapy RM. The median dose of cRT was 30.6 Gy (range, 24-36 Gy). After a median follow-up of 5.9 years (range, 0.5-10 years), the 6-year progression-free survival rate of patients who underwent cRT or NFT was, respectively, 91% (95% CI, 84% to 99%) and 95% (95% CI, 89% to 100%; P = .62) in subgroup A; 98% (95% CI, 93% to 100%) and 90% (95% CI, 80% to 100%; P = .24) in subgroup B; 89% (95% CI, 81% to 98%) and 86% (95% CI, 77% to 96%; P = .53) in subgroup C (classic bulky). CONCLUSION cRT could be safely omitted in patients with HL presenting with an LNM and a negative PET-2 and PET-6 scan, irrespective from the LNM size detected at baseline.

Consolidation radiotherapy for patients with extended disease small cell lung cancer in a single tertiary institution: impact of dose and perspectives in the era of immunotherapy

BackgroundConsolidation radiotherapy (cRT) in extended disease small cell lung cancer (ED-SCLC) showed improved 2-year overall survival in patients who responded to chemotherapy (ChT) in CREST trial, however results of two meta - analysis were contradictive. Recently, immunotherapy was introduced to the treatment of ED-SCLC, making the role of cRT even more unclear. The aim of our study was to access if consolidation thoracic irradiation improves survival of ED-SCLC patients treated in a routine clinical practice and to study the impact of cRT dose on survival. We also discuss the future role of cRT in the era of immunotherapy.Patients and methodsWe retrospectively reviewed 704 consecutive medical records of patients with small cell lung cancer treated at the Institute of Oncology Ljubljana from January 2010 to December 2014 with median follow up of 65 months. We analyzed median overall survival (mOS) of patients with ED-SCLC treated with ChT only and those treated with ChT and cRT. We also compared mOS of patients treated with different consolidation doses and performed univariate and multivariate analysis of prognostic factors.ResultsOut of 412 patients with ED-SCLC, ChT with cRT was delivered to 74 patients and ChT only to 113 patients. Patients with cRT had significantly longer mOS compared to patients with ChT only, 11.1 months (CI 10.1–12.0) vs. 7.6 months (CI 6.9–8.5, p < 0.001) and longer 1-year OS (44% vs. 23%, p = 0.0025), while the difference in 2-year OS was not significantly different (10% vs. 5%, p = 0.19). The cRT dose was not uniform. Higher dose with 45 Gy (in 18 fractions) resulted in better mOS compared to lower doses 30–36 Gy (in 10–12 fractions), 17.2 months vs. 10.3 months (p = 0.03) and statistically significant difference was also seen for 1-year OS (68% vs. 30%, p = 0.01) but non significant for 2-year OS (18% vs. 5%, p = 0.11).ConclusionsConsolidation RT improved mOS and 1-year OS in ED-SCLC as compared to ChT alone. Higher dose of cRT resulted in better mOS and 1-year OS compared to lower dose. Consolidation RT, higher number of ChT cycles and prophylactic cranial irradiation (PCI) were independent prognostic factors for better survival in our analysis. For patients who received cRT, only higher doses and PCI had impact on survival regardless of number of ChT cycles received. Role of cRT in the era of immunotherapy is unknown and should be exploited in further trials.