Prognostic impact of anthracyclines in the treatment of aggressive lymphoma in patients over 70 years

Abstract

Background and objectiveThe optimal treatment of aggressive non-Hodgkin lymphoma (NHL) in elderly patients remains controversial. We aimed to evaluate the impact of age and use of anthracyclines. Patients and methodRetrospective analysis of patients with aggressive NHL aged over 70 years old. ResultsOne hundred and twenty-eight patients with a median age of 76 years (70–91). Eighty-eight percent received chemotherapy, and 72% received anthracyclines. The overall response rate was 70%, 51% with a complete response (CR)/uncertain complete response and 19% with a partial response (PR). Overall survival (OS) was 28 months (95% confidence interval 18–78). In the diffuse large B-cell lymphoma group, progression-free survival (PFS) and OS were significantly better in patients who achieved CR versus PR. The use of anthracyclines was associated with CR, the international prognostic index (IPI) was associated with both survival and response, and age showed no association. ConclusionsIn patients aged ≥70 years with aggressive lymphoma who received chemotherapy, the IPI but not age and the use of anthracyclines showed a prognostic impact. Therefore, in elderly patients with aggressive lymphomas, the use of anthracyclines should be considered and therapeutic decisions should not be based on age exclusively.