Annarita Conconi

Prognostic Scoring System for Primary CNS Lymphomas: The International Extranodal Lymphoma Study Group Experience

PURPOSE To identify survival predictors and to design a prognostic score useful for distinguishing risk groups in immunocompetent patients with primary CNS lymphomas (PCNSL). PATIENTS AND METHODS The prognostic role of patient-, lymphoma-, and treatment-related variables was analyzed in a multicenter series of 378 PCNSL patients treated at 23 cancer centers from five different countries. RESULTS Age more than 60 years, performance status (PS) more than 1, elevated lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) serum level, high CSF protein concentration, and involvement of deep regions of the brain (periventricular regions, basal ganglia, brainstem, and/or cerebellum) were significantly and independently associated with a worse survival. These five variables were used to design a prognostic score. Each variable was assigned a value of either 0, if favorable, or 1, if unfavorable. The values were then added together to arrive at a final score, which was tested in 105 assessable patients for which complete data of all five variables were available. The 2-year overall survival (OS) +/- SD was 80% +/- 8%, 48% +/- 7%, and 15% +/- 7% (P =.00001) for patients with zero to one, two to three, and four to five unfavorable features, respectively. The prognostic role of this score was confirmed by limiting analysis to assessable patients treated with high-dose methotrexate-based chemotherapy (2-year OS +/- SD: 85% +/- 8%, 57% +/- 8%, and 24% +/- 11%; P =.0004). CONCLUSION Age, PS, LDH serum level, CSF protein concentration, and involvement of deep structures of the brain were independent predictors of survival. A prognostic score including these five parameters seems advisable in distinguishing different risk groups in PCNSL patients. The proposed score and its relevance in therapeutic decision deserve to be validated in further studies.

Clinical Activity of Rituximab in Gastric Marginal Zone Non-Hodgkin's Lymphoma Resistant to or Not Eligible for Anti–Helicobacter Pylori Therapy

PURPOSE Preliminary results using rituximab in extranodal marginal zone (MALT) non-Hodgkins lymphoma (NHL) patients seem to indicate a relevant clinical activity. Aim of the present study is to investigate the efficacy of conventional weekly treatment using rituximab in gastric MALT NHL patients resistant/refractory or not suitable for eradication treatment, and to evaluate the relevance of the t(11; 18)(q21; q21) translocation and its possible role as a predictive criteria of response. PATIENTS AND METHODS Twenty-seven patients presenting with gastric MALT NHL at any stage, relapsed/refractory to initial treatment or not suitable for eradication were treated with rituximab in a weekly conventional schedule and evaluated for response and relapse. Flourescence in situ hybridization (FISH) analysis for the presence of 18q21 translocation was performed in 21 patients and was evaluated with clinical outcome. RESULTS Among the 26 evaluated patients, 20 (77%) achieved an objective response. Twelve patients (46%) had a pathological and clinical complete remission, and eight (31%) had a partial response. With a median follow-up of 33 months, only two patients relapsed at 26 and 14 months, respectively. No correlation was founded between FISH analysis and response or relapse. CONCLUSION Our experience seems to confirm the clinical activity of rituximab in gastric MALT NHL patients resistant/refractory to antibiotics treatment or not presenting with clinical evidence of Helicobacter pylori infection. The t(11; 18)(q21; q21) translocation seems not to be a predictive marker to response or to subsequent relapse.

Biological and clinical risk factors of chronic lymphocytic leukaemia transformation to Richter syndrome

Predictors of chronic lymphocytic leukaemia (CLL) transformation to Richter syndrome (RS) are not established and were investigated in 185 consecutive CLL cases. Actuarial incidence of RS (n = 17; all diffuse large B‐cell lymphomas) at 10 years was 16·2% (95% confidence interval: 8·0–24·4%). At CLL diagnosis, prognosticators of RS by univariate analysis were IGHV homology ≥98% (P = 0·006), IGHV4‐39 usage (P < 0·001), del13q14 absence (P = 0·004), expression of CD38 (P < 0·001) and ZAP70 (P = 0·004), size (P < 0·001) and number (P < 0·001) of lymph nodes, advanced Binet stage (P = 0·002), and lactate dehydrogenase (P < 0·001). Multivariate analysis, performed separately for biological and clinical variables, identified CD38 expression [Hazard ratio (HR) = 4·26; P = 0·018], IGHV4‐39 usage (HR = 4·29; P = 0·018), and lymph node size ≥3 cm (HR = 9·07; P < 0·001) as independent RS prognosticators. A multivariate model simultaneously analysing biological and clinical variables identified lymph node size ≥3 cm (HR = 6·51; P = 0·001) and del13q14 absence (HR = 4·08; P = 0·031) as independent RS prognosticators. Risk factors of CLL transformation differed from risk factors of CLL progression. These results suggest that CD38 and del13q14 may identify biological subsets of CLL with different RS predisposition. Predominant nodal disease, CD38 expression, IGHV4‐39 usage, and absence of del13q14 may help in predicting RS at CLL diagnosis. Close monitoring and a careful biopsy policy are needed in patients carrying transformation risk factors.

Addition of Rituximab to Chlorambucil Produces Superior Event-Free Survival in the Treatment of Patients With Extranodal Marginal-Zone B-Cell Lymphoma: 5-Year Analysis of the IELSG-19 Randomized Study

PURPOSE Apart from localized gastric disease, there is no consensus on standard initial treatment of mucosa-associated lymphoid tissue lymphoma. The IELSG-19 study (Randomized Trial of Chlorambucil Versus Chlorambucil Plus Rituximab Versus Rituximab in MALT Lymphoma) was launched to compare chlorambucil alone versus chlorambucil plus rituximab in patients not previously given systemic anticancer therapy. PATIENTS AND METHODS Patients not responding to or not suitable for local therapy were eligible. In arm A, chlorambucil was given daily 6 mg/m(2) orally (PO) for 6 weeks. Responding patients and those with stable disease continued to be given daily chlorambucil 6 mg/m(2) PO for 14 consecutive days every 28 days for four cycles. In arm B, intravenous rituximab 375 mg/m(2) per day was added on days 1, 8, 15, 22, 56, 84, 112, and 140. After completion of the planned accrual, the protocol was amended to introduce a third arm with rituximab alone. We report the planned final analysis of the first two arms (113 patients in arm A and 114 in arm B). RESULTS At a median follow-up of 62 months, the 5-year event-free survival (EFS) was significantly better for the patients treated in arm B (68% v 50%; P = .002) who, despite similar overall response rates (90% v 87%), achieved a higher complete remission rate (78% v 65%; P = .025). Progression-free survival was also improved but it did not reach statistical significance (P = .057). Five-year overall survival (OS) was 89% in both arms. Both treatments were well tolerated without unexpected toxicities. CONCLUSION Both treatments were active; the better response rate and EFS obtained with the addition of rituximab did not translate into improved OS.

Primary extranodal non-Hodgkin's lymphomas. Part 2: Head and neck, central nervous system and other less common sites

The first part of this Review, which included a general introduction and the discussion of gastro-intestinal, cutaneous and genito-urinary non-Hodgkins lymphomas, was published in a previous issue of this journal (Zucca E, Roggero E, Bertoni F, Cavalli F. Primary extranodal non-Hodgkins lymphomas. Part 1: Gastrointestinal, cutaneous and genitourinary lymphomas. Annals of Oncology 1997; 8(8): 727-37). We do not discuss again here the general problems posed by the extranodal presentation of non-Hodgkins lymphomas. However, it is important to remember that the fundamental contribution of the R.E.A.L. Classification [4] in recognising different lymphoma entities can be the basis to improve our knowledge in extranodal lymphomas as well as in the nodal ones. However, at least thus far, treatment approaches are more influenced by the histologic type than the presenting site, thus emphasising how essential is a precise pathologic diagnosis. The above mentioned Part 1 also contained the first part of the bibliography (References 1-101) and the first six tables.

First-Line Treatment for Primary Testicular Diffuse Large B-Cell Lymphoma With Rituximab-CHOP, CNS Prophylaxis, and Contralateral Testis Irradiation: Final Results of an International Phase II Trial

PURPOSE Primary testicular lymphoma (PTL) has poor prognosis with failures in contralateral testis, CNS, and extranodal sites. To prevent these events, we designed an international phase II trial (International Extranodal Lymphoma Study Group 10 [IELSG-10]) that addressed feasibility and activity of conventional chemoimmunotherapy associated with CNS prophylaxis and contralateral testis irradiation. The trial was conducted by the IELSG and the Italian Lymphoma Foundation. PATIENTS AND METHODS Fifty-three patients (age 22 to 79 years) with untreated stage I or II PTL were treated with six to eight courses of rituximab added to cyclophosphamide, doxorubicin, vincristine, and prednisone (R-CHOP) every 21 days (R-CHOP21); four doses of intrathecal methotrexate (IT-MTX) and radiotherapy (RT) to the contralateral testis (30 Gy) for all patients and to regional lymph nodes (30 to 36 Gy) for stage II disease. RESULTS All patients received R-CHOP21, 50 received CNS prophylaxis, and 47 received testicular RT. With a median follow-up of 65 months, 5-year progression-free survival and overall survival rates were 74% (95% CI, 59% to 84%) and 85% (95% CI, 71% to 92%), respectively. Ten patients relapsed or progressed: two in lymph nodes, five in extranodal organs, and three in the CNS. The 5-year cumulative incidence of CNS relapse was 6% (95% CI, 0% to 12%). No contralateral testis relapses occurred. Ten patients died: lymphoma (n = 6), secondary leukemia (n = 2), heart failure (n = 1), and gastric cancer (n = 1). Grade 3 to 4 toxicities were neutropenia, 28%; infections, 4%; and neurologic, 13%. No deaths occurred as a result of toxicity. CONCLUSION This international prospective trial shows that combined treatment with R-CHOP21, IT-MTX, and testicular RT was associated with a good outcome in patients with PTL. RT avoided contralateral testis relapses, but CNS prophylaxis deserves further investigation.

Analysis of the host pharmacogenetic background for prediction of outcome and toxicity in diffuse large B-cell lymphoma treated with R-CHOP21

Knowledge on the impact of pharmacogenetics in predicting outcome and toxicity in diffuse large B-cell lymphoma (DLBCL) is scant. We tested 106 consecutive DLBCL treated with R-CHOP21 for 19 single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) from 15 genes potentially relevant to rituximab-CHOP (R-CHOP) pharmacogenetics. Associations of SNPs with event-free survival (EFS) and toxicity were controlled for multiple testing. Genotypic variants of nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide phosphate (NAD(P)H) oxidase p22phox (CYBA rs4673) and alpha1 class glutathione S-transferase (GSTA1 rs3957357) were independent predictors of EFS (CYBA rs4673 TT genotype: HR 2.06, P=0.038; GSTA1 rs3957357 CT/TT genotypes: HR 0.38, P=0.003), after adjusting for International Prognostic Index (IPI). CYBA rs4673 and GSTA1 rs3957357 also predicted outcome in DLBCL subgroups by IPI. Impact of SNPs on toxicity was evaluated in 658 R-CHOP21 courses utilizing generalized estimating equations. NCF4 rs1883112 was an independent predictor against hematologic (odds ratios (OR): 0.45; P=0.018), infectious (OR: 0.46; P=0.003) and cardiac toxicity (OR: 0.37; P=0.023). Overall, host SNPs affecting doxorubicin pharmacodynamics (CYBA rs4673) and alkylator detoxification (GSTA1 rs3957357) may predict outcome in R-CHOP21-treated DLBCL. Also, NCF4 rs1883112, a SNP of NAD(P)H oxidase p40phox, may have a function in protecting against hematologic and nonhematologic toxicity. These results highlight the need to improve characterization of the host genetic background for a better prognostication of DLBCL.

Incidence, risk factors and outcome of histological transformation in follicular lymphoma

Histological transformation (HT) into diffuse large B‐cell lymphoma (DLBCL) was documented in 37 of the 281 (13%; 95% CI, 9–18) follicular lymphoma (FL) patients treated at our institute from 1979 to 2007. HT occurred at a median of 2·75 years from initial FL diagnosis and HT rate was 15% at 10 years and 26% at 14 years, with a plateau from that point onward. Patients with bulky or extranodal disease, or those diagnosed before 1990 had a significantly higher risk of HT. When initial treatment strategies were taken into account, a reduced HT risk was seen in the patients initially managed with a ‘watch and wait’ policy, while the risk appeared significantly increased in the small subset of 18 patients initially managed with rituximab plus chemotherapy (P = 0·0005). HT was associated with a significantly shorter cause‐specific survival (P = 0·0002). Predictors of survival after HT were the Follicular Lymphoma International Prognostic Index at diagnosis, as well as age and performance status at the time of HT. Our data confirm the adverse clinical outcome of FL after HT. In keeping with previous isolated reports, our findings suggest that there is a subgroup of patients in whom HT may not occur.

Clinical activity of bortezomib in relapsed/refractory MALT lymphomas: results of a phase II study of the International Extranodal Lymphoma Study Group (IELSG)

BACKGROUND The nuclear factor-kappa B activation in mucosa-associated lymphoid tissue (MALT) lymphoma pathogenesis provided the rationale for the evaluation of bortezomib in this malignancy. PATIENTS AND METHODS Thirty-two patients with relapsed/refractory MALT lymphoma were enrolled. Thirty-one patients received bortezomib 1.3 mg/m(2) i.v., on days 1, 4, 8, and 11, for up to six 21-day cycles. RESULTS Median age was 63 years (range, 37-82 years). Median number of prior therapies was 2 (range, 1-4). Nine patients had Ann Arbor stage I, 7 patients had stage II, and 16 patients had stage IV. Primary lymphoma localization was the stomach in 14 patients; multiple extranodal sites were present in 10 patients. Among the 29 patients assessable for response, the overall response rate was 48% [95% confidence interval (CI) 29% to 67%], with 9 complete and 5 partial responses. Nine patients experienced stable disease and six had disease progression during therapy. The most relevant adverse events were fatigue, thrombocytopenia, neutropenia, and peripheral neuropathy. After a median follow-up of 24 months, the median duration of response was not reached yet. Five deaths were reported, in two patients due to disease progression. CONCLUSION Bortezomib is active in relapsed MALT lymphomas. Further investigations to identify optimal bortezomib dose, schedule, and combination regimens are needed since the frequent detection of dose-limiting peripheral neuropathy.

Frequent aberrant promoter hypermethylation of O6-methylguanine-DNA methyltransferase and death-associated protein kinase genes in immunodeficiency-related lymphomas.

Summary.  Aberrant promoter hypermethylation is a mechanism of tumour suppressor gene inactivation. We explored aberrant promoter hypermethylation of multiple genes in 88 human immunodeficiency virus (HIV)‐non Hodgkin lymphomas (NHL), 25 post‐transplant lymphoproliferative disorders (PTLD) and five common variable immunodeficiency (CVI)‐related NHL. Twenty‐six of 79 (32·9%) HIV‐NHL, eight of 14 (57·1%) PTLD and two of five (40·0%) CVI–NHL showed aberrant hypermethylation of O6‐methylguanine‐DNA methyltransferase (MGMT). Aberrant hypermethylation of death‐associated protein‐kinase (DAP‐K) occurred in 70 of 84 (83·3%) HIV–NHL, 19 of 25 (72·0%) PTLD and three of five (60·0%) CVI–NHL. These data implicate MGMT and DAP‐K hypermethylation in lymphomagenesis of immunodeficient hosts. In particular, promoter hypermethylation of DAP‐K represents the most frequent molecular alteration yet identified in immunodeficiency‐related lymphomas.