Improving outcomes in mantle cell lymphoma patients treated with R-CHOP using autologous transplant.

Abstract

e18540 Background: Mantle cell lymphoma (MCL) is a small B cell lymphoma, incurable with standard chemo-immunotherapy. There is no standard upfront therapy, although Phase II trials have shown a survival benefit to dose-intensified regimens in selected patients. However, many patients are not candidates for these regimens secondary to age or comorbidites. These patients are often treated with R-CHOP with consideration for consolidation with ASCT. Methods: We conducted a retrospective cohort analysis to describe and compare the survival experiences of MCL patients at the University of Pennsylvania treated in the first-line setting with R-CHOP (N=32) with or without autologous stem cell transplant (ASCT). The primary study endpoint was PFS as assessed by chart review and confirmed by SSDI database. Results: Median follow up for all pts was 2.5 years. The median age was 62.5, and 80% (n=30) were stage IV at diagnosis. 16 patients underwent consolidative ASCT. Comparing patients treated with R-CHOP vs R-CHOP +ASCT, there were no statistical differences in terms of age, ECOG PS, LDH, WBC, beta-2microglobulin, BM or GI involvement, bulky disease or blastoid variant at baseline. The response rate for all patients was 96.9% and 87.5% of patients achieved CR. Median PFS for all patients was 2.8 years: R-CHOP alone 1.9 years vs. R-CHOP+ ASCT 3.9 years (P=0.02, HR 3.44, 95%CI: 1.2-9.5). Conclusions: Outcomes are poor for MCL patients treated with R-CHOP with continuous recurrence despite excellent initial response. Our data suggest an improved PFS in patients with advanced MCL when R-CHOP is consolidated with ASCT in first remission as compared to R-CHOP alone. Prospective RCTs are needed to determine the optimum treatment for patients who are not candidates for dose-intensive therapy.