Central Nervous System Relapse-free Survival Research Articles

Impact of triple intrathecal prophylaxis in acute lymphoblastic leukemia adults receiving HyperCVAD: A COVID-19 practice change.

Treatment of acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL) requires both systemically and locally directed therapies to prevent central nervous system (CNS) recurrence. In response to restrictions brought on by the COVID-19 pandemic, our institution adopted triple intrathecal (IT) chemotherapy for CNS prophylaxis during HyperCVAD (hyperfractionated cyclophosphamide, vincristine, doxorubicin, and dexamethasone alternating with high-dose methotrexate and cytarabine). We retrospectively reviewed records of newly diagnosed adult all patients who were consecutively treated with HyperCVAD between January 2011 and July 2022. Outcomes of patients who received triple IT chemotherapy and standard of care (SOC) CNS prophylaxis were compared. The primary endpoint was CNS relapse-free survival (RFS) while secondary endpoints included cumulative incidence of relapse, overall survival, number of outpatient, and total ITs per patient, and CNS treatment-related toxicities. A total of 37 patients including 21 in the triple IT and 16 in the SOC cohorts were evaluated. There were no differences between the triple IT and SOC cohorts with respect to CNS-RFS (89.6% vs. 80.4%; HR, 1.55; 95% CI, 0.45-5.39; p = .49), cumulative incidence of relapse (8.9% vs. 19.6%; HR, 1.14; 95% CI, 0.3-5.3; p = .87), and overall survival (89.6% vs. 85.7%; HR, 0.91; 95% CI, 0.20-4.21; p = .90) at 2-years. Significantly fewer IT doses were administered in the triple IT cohort (p = .011) and the number of additional outpatient appointments to administer IT chemotherapy were markedly reduced as 98.6% of IT doses were administered during scheduled admissions compared to 76.8% (p < .001). The adoption of triple IT chemotherapy did not increase CNS treatment-related toxicities but rather, the inverse was observed. Triple IT chemotherapy during HyperCVAD represents a feasible alternative to SOC CNS prophylaxis, especially during times of resource restriction and when minimization of patient exposures is desired.

Prophylactic Central Nervous System Irradiation Is Not Indispensable in Adult Patients with Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia: A Multicenter Retrospective Cohort Study

Objective:Studies comparing the efficacy and safety of prophylactic regimens for central nervous system (CNS) involvement in acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL) are scarce in adults. This multicenter retrospective study aimed to compare the efficacy of prophylactic regimens with and without CNS irradiation on the development of CNS relapse during follow-up.Materials and Methods:This was a multicenter comparative cohort study. A total of 203 patients were included from four tertiary care centers in Turkey. Patients were divided into two groups according to whether they received CNS irradiation or not. The groups were analyzed retrospectively regarding patient and disease characteristics, with the main focus being CNS relapse.Results:While 105 patients received chemotherapy-based prophylaxis, 98 patients received additional CNS irradiation. These groups were statistically comparable in terms of demographic characteristics and risk factors for CNS involvement. In the irradiation group, patients were younger and had more stem cell transplants. In a median of 23.8 (11.1-62.4) months, there was no difference between the two groups regarding CNS relapse-free survival (log-rank p=0.787).Conclusion:Craniospinal irradiation may not be indispensable for every adult patient with ALL, similarly to pediatric patients. It is crucial to avoid the long-term toxicities of radiation, especially in patients with long life expectancy. Craniospinal irradiation may be reserved for therapeutic use in cases of CNS relapse and prophylaxis for some high-risk patients.

The Efficacy of Systemic High Dose Methotrexate As Central Nervous System Prophylaxis in Patients with High Risk Diffuse Large B-Cell Lymphoma: A Propensity Score-Matched Analysis

Background: While the outcome of patients with diffuse large B-cell lymphoma (DLBCL) has been improved with the introduction of rituximab, central nervous system (CNS) relapse is still associated with poor prognosis. Although intrathecal methotrexate has been widely used for prophylaxis, its role has been questioned. Another way of utilizing the agent, systemic high dose methotrexate (HD-MTX) has been advocated from a few retrospective studies. However, they had no comparison group or they were compared with imbalanced, unmatched group even if existed. With prospectively collected cohort, we performed a propensity score-matched analysis to evaluate the efficacy of IV HD-HTX as CNS prophylaxis in high risk DLBCL patients.Methods: The registry data set of DLBCL patients, collected from January 2010 through March 2015 at a single institute, Asan Medical Center, was retrospectively reviewed. From July 2013, all consecutive DLBCL patients who were considered at high risk for CNS recurrence received systemic HD-MTX with standard R-CHOP therapy. High risk CNS relapse was defined by the involvement of ≥2 extranodal sites and elevated lactic dehydrogenase (LDH); or high-risk CNS international prognostic index (CNS-IPI ≥4); or involvement of specific high-risk extranodal sites including bone marrow, breasts, testes, paranasal sinuses. HD-MTX was administered at a dose of 3-3.5 g/m2 on day 15 of alternating cycles of R-CHOP or delivered 2 to 5 weeks after the completion of the primary therapy. We analyzed the progression-free survival (PFS), CNS relapse-free survival (CNS-RFS) and overall survival (OS) of the patients receiving CNS prophylaxis and compared with the patients who received R-CHOP only. Multivariate Cox regression and propensity score analysis were used to evaluate the treatment effect of systemic HD-MTX on survival with multiple covariates including age, sex, LDH, ECOG score, stage, CNS-IPI, extranodal involvement and involved sites.Results: A total of 197 patients with DLBCL and CNS risk factors who were treated with standard R-CHOP therapy were identified between January 2010 and March 2015. Among them, 47 patients received systemic HD-MTX as CNS prophylaxis. In the R-CHOP only group (n=150), with a median follow-up of 58.88 (1.34-84.3) months, 14 CNS relapses occurred within 2 years. The estimated 2-year PFS, CNS-RFS and OS rates were 58.6%, 89.5%, 71.3%, respectively. In the HD-MTX prophylaxis group (n=47), with a median follow-up of 27.24 (3.38-42.02) months, 3 CNS relapses occurred within 2 years. The estimated 2-year PFS, CNS-RFS and OS rates were 62.3%, 93.1% and 74.5%, respectively. Systemic HD-MTX did not significantly increase the PFS (HR 0.619, 95% CI 0.363-1.057, P = .079), CNS-RFS (HR 0.547, 95% CI 0.156-1.924, P=.347), and OS (HR 0.628, 95% CI 0.331-1.19, P = .154) in the multivariate survival analysis. The results seems to consistently show no survival benefit of systemic HD-MTX regardless of the different propensity score analysis methods except for PFS by weighting HR: PFS (matching HR 0.652, 95% CI 0.36-1.18, P=.157; weighting HR 0.689, 95% CI 0.503-0.945, P=.02),CNS-RFS (matching HR 0.635, 95% CI 0.161-2.499, P=.516; weighting HR 0.587, 95% CI 0.287-1.203, P=.146), OS (matching HR 0.625, 95% CI 0.319-1.227, P=.172; weighting HR 0.726, 95% CI 0.505-1.044, P=.083).Conclusion: Systemic HD-MTX prophylaxis for CNS relapse did not show significant survival improvement in high risk DLBCL patients in this study although there was a trend for better outcomes in patients given HD-MTX, as different statistical methods incorporating stringent propensity score-matched analysis were applied. However, these results are still limited by small cohort size its retrospective nature. Multi-center, prospective randomized studies are necessary to appraise the efficacy of systemic HD-MTX as CNS prophylaxis in high risk DLBCL patients. DisclosuresNo relevant conflicts of interest to declare.

Methotrexate-related central neurotoxicity: clinical characteristics, risk factors and genome-wide association study in children treated for acute lymphoblastic leukemia.

Symptomatic methotrexate-related central neurotoxicity (MTX neurotoxicity) is a severe toxicity experienced during acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL) therapy with potential long-term neurologic complications. Risk factors and long-term outcomes require further study. We conducted a systematic, retrospective review of 1,251 consecutive Australian children enrolled on Berlin-Frankfurt-Münster or Children's Oncology Group-based protocols between 1998-2013. Clinical risk predictors for MTX neurotoxicity were analyzed using regression. A genome-wide association study (GWAS) was performed on 48 cases and 537 controls. The incidence of MTX neurotoxicity was 7.6% (n=95 of 1,251), at a median of 4 months from ALL diagnosis and 8 days after intravenous or intrathecal MTX. Grade 3 elevation of serum aspartate aminotransferase (P=0.005, odds ratio 2.31 [range, 1.28–4.16]) in induction/consolidation was associated with MTX neurotoxicity, after accounting for the only established risk factor, age ≥10 years. Cumulative incidence of CNS relapse was increased in children where intrathecal MTX was omitted following symptomatic MTX neurotoxicity (n=48) compared to where intrathecal MTX was continued throughout therapy (n=1,174) (P=0.047). Five-year central nervous system relapse-free survival was 89.2±4.6% when intrathecal MTX was ceased compared to 95.4±0.6% when intrathecal MTX was continued. Recurrence of MTX neurotoxicity was low (12.9%) for patients whose intrathecal MTX was continued after their first episode. The GWAS identified single-nucletide polymorphism associated with MTX neurotoxicity near genes regulating neuronal growth, neuronal differentiation and cytoskeletal organization (P<1x10-6). In conclusion, increased serum aspartate aminotransferase and age ≥10 years at diagnosis were independent risk factors for MTX neurotoxicity. Our data do not support cessation of intrathecal MTX after a first MTX neurotoxicity event.

Patterns and Risk of CNS Recurrence after R-EPOCH Treatment for Double/Triple Hit Lymphoma

Patterns and Risk of CNS Recurrence after R-EPOCH Treatment for Double/Triple Hit Lymphoma

MYD88 L265P mutation detected by digital PCR as a prognostic factor in patients with diffuse large B-cell lymphoma in rituximab era

The central nervous system (CNS) relapse in patients with diffuse large B cell lymphoma (DLBCL) is fatal as there are no effective rescue treatments. To test if the presence of the MYD88 L265P mutation is a prognostic factor for secondary CNS relapse, we carried out the digital PCR analysis of 134 samples from patients with DLBCL at diagnosis. The MYD88 L265P mutations were detected in 22 (16.4%) patients, particularly in those with a non-GC subtype, CD5-positive, high absolute monocyte count, extra-nodal lymphoma, and B symptoms. Nine patients showed low signal in digital PCR but were deemed positive for the MYD88 L265P mutation by the nested allele-specific PCR. The remaining 103 patients were negative according to the results of both the PCR analyses. With a median follow-up period of 64 months, the carriers of MYD88 L265P mutation exhibited inferior CNS relapse-free survival at 5 years (53.2% versus 96% and 100%, respectively, P < 0.001) with a significant effect of the mutation demonstrated by the multivariate analysis (hazard ratio 5.1; 95% CI 1.2-22.9, P = 0.02). This suggests that the MYD88 L265P mutation plays a critical role in the progression of DLBCL to CNS.

Title: 12 Versus 8 Prophylactic Intrathecal (IT) Chemotherapy Administration Decrease Incidence of Central Nervous System (CNS) Relapse in Patients (pts) with Newly Diagnosed Philadelphia (Ph)-Positive Acute Lymphocytic Leukemia (ALL)

Introduction: The addition of tyrosine kinase inhibitors to hyperfractionated cyclophosphamide, dexamethasone, vincristine, and doxorubicin alternating with high-dose methotrexate and cytarabine (HCVAD) for the treatment of Ph-positive ALL has significantly improved outcomes. However, with the increased median survival, an increased incidence of CNS relapses were documented over time, thus suggesting an increased risk among pts with Ph-positive disease (Ravandi et al, Cancer 2015).In order to reduce this incidence, treatment protocols for Ph-positive ALL were amended in 2012 to increase prophylactic IT chemotherapy from 8 to 12 at our institution. The aim of this study is to compare the incidence of CNS relapses in pts with Ph-positive ALL treated with 8 versus 12 ITs. Methods: We conducted a retrospective chart review of 156 pts with newly diagnosed Ph-positive ALL treated with Rituximab (R)± HCVAD plus imatinib (n=35), dasatinib (n=68), or ponatinib (n=53) between July 2001 and January 2019. Pts with CNS disease at initial diagnosis were excluded. Complete molecular response (CMR) at 3 months was defined as absence of a quantifiable BCR-ABL1 transcript. CNS relapse was identified by detection of blasts or rare atypical cells in the cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) in at least 2 successive evaluations and/or findings of leptomeningeal disease on imaging. Landmark analysis was performed at 6 months at the approximate time of completion of both systemic and IT therapy. Poor risk cytogenetic abnormality was defined as the presence of +der(22)t(9;22) and/or −9/9p in the absence of high hyperdiploidy (51‐65 chromosomes). CNS relapse-free survival (RFS) was defined from the start of therapy to the time of CNS relapse. Patients who died or relapsed in bone marrow were censored at the time of death and systemic relapse, respectively. Survival was assessed with and without the censoring of allogeneic stem cell transplantation (ASCT). Results: Pt characteristics are summarized in Figure A. One hundred and twelve pts (72%) received a median of 8 ITs (range, 2-8) and 44 pts (28%) received a median of 12 (range, 9-15). There were no statistically significant differences between groups in regards to baseline characteristics with the exception that more patients in the &gt; 8 ITs cohort received ponatinib (66% vs 21%) and thus achieved a higher rate of 3-month CMR (70% vs 52%; p=0.04). CNS relapses were identified in 11 pts overall (7%, 4 treated with imatinib and 7 with dasatinib) and all of them received 8 or less prophylactic ITs (IT ≤8, 10% vs IT &gt;8, 0%; p=0.023). The median follow-up of the entire population was 81 months, and 97 and 43 months for pts who received ≤8 and &gt;8 ITs, respectively. The 3 and 6-year CNS RFS was 89% and 88% in pts with ≤8 ITs and 100% in pts with &gt;8 Its, respectively (overall P=0.041; 3-yr CNS RFS P=0.049; 6-yr CNS RFS P=0.045) (Figure B). The outcomes remained statistically significant even after censoring for ASCT (P=0.048) (Figure C). In a multivariate analysis and after adjusting for the follow-up time, a median of 12 prophylactic IT chemotherapies was a prognostic factor significantly associated with a decrease rate of CNS relapses (P=0.03; HR=0.64 95%, CI: 0.43-0.96) (Figure D). Conclusion: In pts with newly diagnosed Ph-positive ALL, incorporation of 12 prophylactic IT chemotherapy in addition to systemic therapy is a very effective strategy to reduce the long-term incidence of CNS relapses. Figure Disclosures Paul: Pfizer: Consultancy; Agios: Consultancy. Sasaki:Otsuka: Honoraria; Pfizer: Consultancy. Kadia:BMS: Research Funding; Jazz: Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees, Research Funding; Amgen: Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees, Research Funding; Bioline RX: Research Funding; Celgene: Research Funding; Pfizer: Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees, Research Funding; Genentech: Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees; Pharmacyclics: Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees; Takeda: Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees; AbbVie: Consultancy, Research Funding. Garcia-Manero:Helsinn: Research Funding; Novartis: Research Funding; AbbVie: Research Funding; Amphivena: Consultancy, Research Funding; Celgene: Consultancy, Research Funding; Astex: Consultancy, Research Funding; Onconova: Research Funding; H3 Biomedicine: Research Funding; Merck: Research Funding. Ravandi:Macrogenix: Consultancy, Research Funding; Amgen: Honoraria, Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees, Research Funding; Xencor: Consultancy, Research Funding; Menarini Ricerche: Research Funding; Selvita: Research Funding; Cyclacel LTD: Research Funding. Kantarjian:BMS: Research Funding; Novartis: Research Funding; AbbVie: Honoraria, Research Funding; Actinium: Honoraria, Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees; Ariad: Research Funding; Daiichi-Sankyo: Research Funding; Takeda: Honoraria; Pfizer: Honoraria, Research Funding; Agios: Honoraria, Research Funding; Astex: Research Funding; Jazz Pharma: Research Funding; Cyclacel: Research Funding; Immunogen: Research Funding; Amgen: Honoraria, Research Funding. Jabbour:AbbVie: Consultancy, Research Funding; BMS: Consultancy, Research Funding; Amgen: Consultancy, Research Funding; Cyclacel LTD: Research Funding; Pfizer: Consultancy, Research Funding; Takeda: Consultancy, Research Funding; Adaptive: Consultancy, Research Funding.

Central Nervous System Failure in Korean Breast Cancer Patients with HER2-Enriched Subtype: Korean Radiation Oncology Group 16-15 Multicenter Retrospective Study.

PurposeThe purpose of this study was to evaluate the risk of central nervous system (CNS) failure in Korean patients with human epidermal growth factor receptor 2 (HER2)-enriched breast cancer treated with surgery followed by postoperative radiotherapy (RT).MethodsA total of 749 patients from eight institutions were enrolled in this study. All of them underwent surgery followed by postoperative RT from 2003 to 2011; 246 (32.8%) received neoadjuvant chemotherapy and 649 (81.7%) received adjuvant chemotherapy. Adjuvant trastuzumab was administered to 386 patients (48.6%).ResultsThe median follow-up duration was 84 (range, 8–171) months. The 7-year disease-free and overall survival rates were 79.0% and 84.2%, respectively. On multivariate analysis, mastectomy, nodal involvement, and presence of lymphatic invasion were correlated with poor overall survival (p = 0.004, 0.022, and 0.011, respectively), whereas T stage and lymphatic invasion were associated with disease-free survival (p = 0.018 and 0.005, respectively). Regarding CNS failures, 30 brain metastases, 2 leptomeningeal metastases, and 8 brain and leptomeningeal metastases were noted. The 7-year CNS relapse-free survival rates in patients receiving and not receiving trastuzumab were 91.2% and 96.9%, respectively (p = 0.005). On multivariate analysis, the administration of adjuvant trastuzumab was the only prognostic factor in predicting a higher CNS failure rate (hazard ratio, 2.260; 95% confidence interval, 1.076–4.746; p = 0.031).ConclusionAdjuvant trastuzumab was associated with higher CNS failure rate in Korean patients with HER2-enriched breast cancer. Close monitoring and reasonable approaches such as CNS penetrating HER2 blockades combined with the current standard therapy could contribute to improving intracranial tumor control and quality of life in patients with CNS metastasis from HER2-enriched breast cancer.

The Impact of Low-Dose Cranial Boost on the Long-Term Outcomes of Adult Patients with High-Risk Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia Undergoing Total Body Irradiation and Allogeneic Hematopoietic Stem Cell Transplantation

PurposeTotal body irradiation (TBI) is an integral part of the conditioning regimen for patients with acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL) undergoing allogeneic, hematopoietic, cell transplantation (allo-HCT). There are conflicting data in the literature regarding the utility of a cranial irradiation boost in high-risk adult ALL without evidence of preexisting central nervous system (CNS) involvement. This study investigates the posttransplant clinical outcomes of patients with high-risk adult ALL undergoing TBI conditioning for allo-HCT with or without a whole-brain boost, without overt CNS involvement at the time of diagnosis. Methods and materialsA retrospective cohort study was conducted using a medical record analysis. We identified 58 patients who were treated between January 1998 and December 2016, and met our preset inclusion criteria of adults (age >18 years old) who carried a pathologically confirmed diagnosis of CNS-negative, high-risk ALL, who underwent hematopoietic stem cell transplantation with TBI conditioning. A multivariate analysis of correlation between patient outcomes and collected categorical variables was assessed with stepwise Cox logistic regression. Survival analyses were assessed using the Kaplan-Meier technique with a log-rank test. ResultsWith a median follow-up time of 5.3 years, there was a statistically significant improvement in actuarial 7-year CNS relapse-free survival (100% vs 76.4%; P = .043) in favor of patients undergoing a cranial boost. There was no statistically significant improvement in 7-year progression-free survival (78.3% vs 62.5%; P = .076) or overall survival (49.4% vs 43.5%; P = .921) with versus without a cranial boost. On multivariate analysis, the presence of a cranial boost was the only identified variable with an independent relationship to CNS relapse-free survival. ConclusionsAdult patients with high-risk, CNS-negative ALL were found to have a statistically significant improvement in CNS relapse-free survival and a trend toward improved progression-free survival with the inclusion of a cranial boost with TBI pretransplant conditioning. Our data indicate that further investigation into the use of cranial boost in this patient population is warranted.

Role of systemic high-dose methotrexate and combined approaches in the management of vitreoretinal lymphoma: A single center experience 1990-2018.

Vitreoretinal lymphoma (VRL) management remains a challenge. We present 72 patients with VRL, diagnosed at Mayo Clinic between 1990-2018. Three nondiffuse large B-cell lymphoma (DLBCL) histology cases were excluded. Among 69 DLBCL, 33 patients had primary VRL (PVRL), 18 concurrent intraocular and central nervous system (CNS) or systemic disease and 18 secondary VRL. Patients received intraocular chemotherapy (intraocular injections of rituximab or metothrexate or steroids or in combination), radiotherapy, systemic or combined systemic plus intraocular treatment in 9, 10, 35, and 15 cases, respectively. Among primary and concurrent VRL, median failure free survival (FFS), CNS relapse-free survival (CNS-RFS) and overall survival (OS) were: 1.8, 4.9, and 4.1 years, respectively; among PVRL, median FFS, CNS-RFS, and OS were: 2.6 year, Not Reached and 9.3 year, respectively. No CNS relapse occurred beyond 4 years in PVRL. Median OS for patients diagnosed between 1990 and 1999 vs between 2000 and 2018 was 1.5 vs 9.4 years, respectively (P = .0002). OS was significantly higher in PVRL, as compared with concurrent VRL (P = .04). Previous immunosuppression and poor performance status were predictive of worse outcome. In PVRL, a combined systemic and intraocular therapy showed higher FFS (P = .002) and CNS-RFS (P = .003), but no differences in OS. Among 18 secondary VRL, at a median follow-up of 1.1 year after vitreoretinal relapse, median FFS and OS were 0.3 and 1.3 years. An improvement in survival of VRL has been observed over the decades. PVRL should undergo combined systemic and intraocular chemotherapy to prevent CNS progression.

Role of Systemic High-Dose Methotrexate and Combined Approaches in the Management of Vitreoretinal Diffuse Large B-Cell Lymphoma: A Single Center Experience 1990-2018

Introduction. Vitreoretinal lymphoma (VRL) is a rare ocular malignancy. Diagnosis and optimal treatment remain a challenge for clinicians. We present clinical characteristics and outcome of a cohort of 69 patients affected by vitreoretinal diffuse large B-cell (DLBCL) lymphoma treated at Mayo Clinic over a 28-year period.Methods. We accessed the Mayo Clinic Lymphoma Data Base to identify all patients > 18 years old with VRL diagnosed between 01/01/1990 and 01/31/2018. Only patients with DLBCL, confirmed at pathological review, were included. Clinical characteristics, therapies, response, relapse patterns and follow up status were collected and analyzed in the cohort and in the different subgroups: primary (PVRL, localized only in eye at diagnosis) vs concurrent (CVRL) vs secondary VRL (SVRL). Chi-squared test, Fisher's exact test and Wilcoxon's signed-rank test were used for analysis. Failure-free survival (FFS), overall survival (OS), central nervous system (CNS) and eye relapse-free survival were analyzed according to Kaplan Meier method. Differences between subgroups were compared with log-rank test. Since the group of SVRL can be affected by a survivorship selection bias, it was investigated separately for the outcome analysis.Results. A total of 69 patients with vitreoretinal DLBCL were included. At diagnosis, 33 (48%) were PVRL, 18 (26%) CVRL (eye plus CNS (N=17) or systemic (N=1) disease) and 18 (26%) had SVRL (9 primary CNS lymphomas, 9 systemic at diagnosis, among which 4 were primary testicular lymphomas). Unilateral intraocular involvement was observed in 16 (23%) cases. Clinical characteristics are reported in Table I.At diagnosis, patients received a systemic treatment in 35 (50%, including high-dose systemic MTX (HD-MTX, N 14, 20%), MTR (HD-MTX, Temozolomide and Rituximab) (N 7, 10%) and CHOP (Cyclophosphamide, Doxorubicin, Vincristine and Prednisone) with or without Rituximab (N 10, 15%)), combined systemic plus intraocular treatment in 15 (22%), local radiotherapy in 10 (14%) and intraocular therapy (intraocular injections of rituximab or MTX or steroids or a combination of these) in 9 (13%) cases. Systemic Rituximab, autologous stem cell transplantation (ASCT) and therapeutic vitrectomy/enucleation were performed in 36 (53%), 20 (29%) and 5 (7%) patients, respectively. The median number of treatments was 2 (range 0-10). Among PVRL and CVRL (N=51), median FFS, CNS relapse-free survival, eye relapse-free survival and OS were: 1.8 y, 4.9 y, 3.8 y and 4.1 y, respectively (Fig 1). Among PVRL they were: 2.6 y, not reached (NR), 5.2 y and 9.3 y, respectively. No CNS relapse occurred beyond 4 years in the PVRL subgroup. The median OS for patients diagnosed between 1990 and 1999, in contrast to 2000 and 2018 was 1.5 y vs 9.4 y respectively (p= 0.0002). OS was significantly higher in PVRL, as compared to CVRL (p= 0.04). Previous immunosuppression and poor performance status were predictive of worse outcome (p=0.04), while ASCT correlated with higher OS (p= 0.009). In PVRL, a combined systemic + intraocular therapy was associated with higher FFS (p=0.002) and CNS-relapse free survival (p= 0.003), but no difference in OS was observed. Among 18 SVRL, at a median follow-up of 1.1 y after vitreoretinal relapse, median FFS and OS were 0.3 y and 1.3 y, respectively. Systemic toxicities included 8 (11.6%) acute renal failures, 8 (11.6%) infections, and 3 (4.3%) hemorrhages. Intraocular toxicities included cataract in 11, vitreal detachment in 3 , ocular hypertension in 5, retinal vessel occlusion in 3 and keratitis in 2 cases. Of 69 patients, 39 (56.5%) died secondary to lymphoma (N=21, 53.8%), infectious toxicity (N=2, 5.2%), unrelated (N=3, 7.7%) or unknown (N=13, 33.3%) causes.Conclusions. VR DLBCL is a rare disease, which can occur as primary, concurrent with systemic, or in relapsed disease. OS over the decades has significantly improved. In PVRL, no late CNS relapses were observed, while late intraocular relapses can occur. A combined approach with intraocular + systemic HD-MTX based treatment at diagnosis was associated with a higher FFS and CNS-relapse free survival in PVRL and is recommended in bilateral involvement, even though no differences in OS were observed. Treatment consolidation with ASCT can be considered in cases with concurrent systemic disease. Further studies are needed to confirm these results and to better define the role of new drugs in treatment of this uncommon malignancy. DisclosuresWitzig:Celgene: Consultancy, Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees, Research Funding.

Outcome of acute leukemia patients with central nervous system (CNS) involvement treated with total body or CNS irradiation before transplantation

Background: Central nervous system (CNS) involvement is a poor prognostic factor for patients with acute leukemia. Currently, there is still no standard approach to effectively reduce the CNS relapse rate and improve outcome. The purpose of the study was to evaluate whether radiation therapy (RT) at pre-transplantation setting with either total body irradiation (TBI) for conditioning or CNS-directed RT would improve CNS relapse rate or survival after transplantation. Methods: We retrospectively reviewed the database in NTUH stem cell transplantation center from 1995 to 2016 and included consecutive acute myeloid and lymphoblastic leukemia patients with CNS disease before transplantation. CNS involvement was mandatory, either at initial presentation or relapse before transplantation. A total of 55 patients were included. All patients received allogeneic transplantation, and most of them received myeloablative conditioning. Overall survival (OS), relapse-free survival (RFS), and 2-year CNS RFS after transplantation were compared between patients with RT and without RT using Kaplan-Meier analysis. Results: The 2-year OS was 72.5% for patients with RT, and 72.2% without RT (log-rank test, P=0.111). The 2-year RFS was 69.4% for patients with RT, and 44.4% without RT (P=0.164). The 2-year post-transplantation CNS RFS was 73.3% for patients with RT, and 74.1% without RT (P=0.742). Multivariate analysis revealed that pre-transplantation disease status (with complete response, P=0.03) and TBI or CNS RT (P=0.04) were significantly associated with better OS rate. TBI or CNS RT (P=0.03) was also independently associated with improved RFS, but had only marginally significant impact on CNS RFS (P=0.068). Conclusions: Our study has shown that there was potential OS and RFS benefit of peri-transplantation radiation, including TBI conditioning or CNS RT, for acute leukemia patients with CNS involvement.

Absolute peripheral monocyte count at diagnosis predicts central nervous system relapse in diffuse large B-cell lymphoma.

Recently, elevated peripheral blood monocyte counts at diagnosis have been shown to be an independent marker associated with poor prognosis in patients with both non-Hodgkin and Hodgkin lymphoma. In this study, we retrospectively analyzed the data from a total of 550 patients with diffuse large B-cell lymphoma and evaluated the relationship between central nervous system relapse and absolute monocyte counts at diagnosis. Twenty-six patients developed central nervous system relapse. The central nervous system relapse-free survival rate was significantly lower in patients with the absolute monocyte counts ≥ 0.51 × 10(9)/L (87.8% versus 96.4%; P<0.001). This association was independently significant after adjusting for other significant factors, including systemic relapse as a time-dependent covariate by multivariate analysis (hazard ratio 2.46; 95% confidence intervals 1.05-5.75; P=0.039). These results suggest that the absolute monocyte count at diagnosis is an independent significant risk factor for central nervous system relapse in patients with diffuse large B-cell lymphoma.

Optimum Radiation Treatment for CNS Recurrent Neuroblastoma

Recurrent CNS neuroblastoma traditionally carries a very poor prognosis. The use of 21.6 Gy craniospinal irradiation (CSI) with intrathecal radio-immunotherapy (RIT) has significantly improved survival. Since 21.6 Gy CSI results in more long-term neurocognitive deficits than 18 Gy, 18 Gy is commonly now used at our institution and others to minimize toxicity; however the effect of the two regimens on disease control has not been studied. To test the hypothesis that 18 Gy CSI results in similar disease control to 21.6 Gy, we present the outcomes of recurrent neuroblastoma patients treated with either 21.6 or ≤18 Gy. 42 patients with recurrent CNS neuroblastoma were treated at MSKCC from 2003 to present (19 received 21.6 Gy, 19 received 18 Gy, 4 received <18 Gy). Treatment included resection of the tumor, CSI, chemotherapy, intrathecal RIT, and often systemic RIT. Patient characteristics at time of recurrence, overall survival (OS), CNS relapse-free survival (RFS), and progression-free survival (PFS) were analyzed. Patients who received 21.6 vs ≤18 Gy were followed for a median of 83 and 50 months, respectively, and were well balanced with regards to age at CNS relapse, percent with leptomeningeal disease at relapse, percent with residual disease after resection, the number of CNS metastases, the size of the largest CNS metastasis, percent with concurrent disease outside the CNS, percent treated with other modalities such as chemotherapy or RIT, and the dose RIT. The radiation boost dose was generally higher in the ≤18 Gy CSI group (12.9 vs 9.2 Gy, p = 0.06). OS from the time of CNS relapse was significantly better for those receiving 21.6 Gy compared with ≤18 Gy at 3 years (89% vs 62%, p = 0.03). Those who benefited most had residual disease on MR after resection (OS 87 vs 41%, p = 0.01), while those with a completely resected unifocal recurrence did not have a significant survival difference with 21.6 vs ≤18 Gy (90% vs 69%, p = 0.20), despite higher average boost dose to the tumor bed in the ≤18 Gy group. When the 4 patients who received <18 Gy were removed from the cohort, 21.6 Gy still resulted in significantly better OS than 18 Gy. There was a trend toward better PFS (70% vs 56% at 3 years, p = 0.17) and CNS RFS (82% vs 66% at four years, p = 0.16) in those receiving 21.6 vs ≤18 Gy. Relapse rates outside the CNS were equivalent in both groups (22% for 21.6 Gy vs 32% for ≤18 Gy, p = 0.39). Intrathecal RIT dose ranged from 20-100 mCi and dose did not significantly affect OS (64% in those receiving ≥50 mCi vs 48% with <50 mCi, p = 0.45). Treatment of relapsed CNS neuroblastoma should include 21.6 Gy CSI, especially if there are signs of residual disease on MR, as this is associated with improved survival compared with ≤18 Gy CSI. In patients with unifocal, completely resected CNS relapse, ≤18 Gy is associated with similar survival to 21.6 Gy and may be an appropriate alternative.

Gamma-knife radiosurgery for brain metastases of renal cell carcinoma: results in 23 patients.

From Jan. 1993 to Sept. 1995 23 patients suffering from brain metastases from renal cell carcinoma were treated with the Leksell Gamma Knife at the University of Vienna. At the time of diagnosis 13 patients had single and 10 patients presented with multiple metastatic lesions with a total of 44 metastases in MRI scans. Median tumour volume was 5500 cmm (range 100-24000 cmm). Predominant neurological symptoms and signs were different forms of hemiparesis, focal and generalized seizures, cognitive deficit, headache, dizziness, ataxia and CN XII paresis. Fourteen patients received Gamma Knife Radiosurgery (GKRS) with a median dose of 22 Gy (range 8-30 Gy) at the tumour margin. Nine patients underwent a combined treatment of a radiosurgical boost with a median dose of 18 Gy (range 10-22 Gy) at the tumour margin followed by Whole Brain Radiotherapy (total dose 30 Gy/2 weeks). In 20 patients tumour volume reduction up to 30% of the primary tumour volume was found after 4 weeks, evaluated on CT or MRI. A total remission was seen in 4 cases 3 months after GKRS. We achieved a local tumour control of 96%. Rapid neurological improvement after GKRS was seen in 17 patients. The median survival time was 11 months; the one-year actual survival in this unselected group was 48%. Five long term survivors were still alive, 18 patients had subsequently died, 15 of them of general tumour progression. GKRS induces a significant tumour remission accompanied by rapid neurological improvement and therefore provides the opportunity for extended high quality survival. Neither local tumour control was improved nor CNS relapse free survival was prolonged significantly by additional WBRT.

Prevention of CNS disease in intermediate-risk acute lymphoblastic leukemia: comparison of cranial radiation and intrathecal methotrexate and the importance of systemic therapy: a Childrens Cancer Group report.

This study (Childrens Cancer Group [CCG]-105) was designed in part to determine in a prospective randomized trial whether intrathecal methotrexate (IT MTX) administered during induction, consolidation, and maintenance could provide protection from CNS relapse equivalent to that provided by cranial radiation (CXRT) in children with acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL) and intermediate-risk features. We randomized 1,388 children with intermediate-risk ALL to the two CNS regimens. They received either IT MTX at intervals throughout their course of therapy or CXRT (18 Gy) during consolidation with IT MTX during induction, consolidation, and delayed intensification. Systemic therapy was randomized to one of four treatment regimens derived from a regimen used by CCG in recent studies for this patient population and three more intensive regimens based on the Berlin-Frankfurt-Munster trials. Life-table estimates at 7 years show a 93% and 91% CNS relapse-free survival rate for the CXRT and IT MTX groups, respectively. The corresponding event-free survival (EFS) rates are 68% and 64%. The differences are not significant. Patients who received more intensive systemic therapy had a 94% CNS relapse-free survival rate on either CXRT or IT MTX, while patients who received standard systemic therapy had 90% and 80% rates for CXRT and IT MTX, respectively (P < .0001). Patients less than 10 years of age who received CXRT or IT MTX had 72% and 71% EFS rates if they received more intensive systemic therapy. Patients 10 years or older who received CXRT had an improved EFS (61% v 53%) with a more intensive systemic program. This was primarily due to fewer bone marrow relapses (P = .04). IT MTX during induction, consolidation, and maintenance provides protection from CNS relapse in patients with intermediate-risk ALL equivalent to that provided by CXRT if more intensive systemic therapy is given. The CNS relapse rate with either CXRT or IT MTX is in part dependent on the associated systemic therapy. For intermediate-risk patients less than 10 years of age, IT MTX with an intensified systemic regimen provided CNS prophylaxis comparable to that provided by CXRT, whereas older patients had fewer systemic relapses if they received CXRT.

Central nervous system prophylaxis with combined intravenous and intrathecal methotrexate in diffuse lymphoma of aggressive histologic type.

With the use of a multivariate regression model, 21 patients with diffuse lymphoma were identified as having greater than 15% risk of experiencing relapse in the central nervous system (CNS). The efficacy of a combination of sequential intravenous methotrexate (MTX) (1 g/m2) and intrathecal MTX in preventing relapse in the CNS and improving survival times was assessed. A comparable historical control group of patients with similar risk of CNS relapse and who did not receive any CNS prophylaxis was used. The CNS relapse-free survival rate (RFS) was improved in patients who received CNS prophylaxis (95% versus 59% at 2 years; P = 0.01). Pretreatment serum lactic dehydrogenase (LDH) levels correlated with the incidence of relapse in the CNS in the control group (P = 0.01). In patients with high pretreatment serum LDH levels (greater than 225 U/L), CNS RFS was improved in those who received CNS prophylaxis (RFS at 2 years: 91% versus 46%; P = 0.02). Both CNS RFS (100% versus 38% at 2 years; P = 0.03) and survival rates (100% versus 38% at 2 years; P = 0.02) were improved in six patients with histologic type other than large cell. In 15 patients with large cell lymphoma, no significant differences in CNS RFS (93% versus 75% at 2 years; P = 0.29) and survival rates (43% versus 44% at 2 years; P = 0.56) were observed. Cerebrospinal fluid MTX levels were above the therapeutic level of 1 X 10(-6) M for at least 20 hours in 90% of courses of combined MTX. The MTX combination used is an effective and non-neurotoxic CNS prophylaxis method. Because the comparison between different methods of CNS prophylaxis is difficult to make without a precise idea of the expected CNS relapse rate, use of the multivariate regression technique is recommended.

Therapy of CNS leukemia with intraventricular chemotherapy and low-dose neuraxis radiotherapy.

Successful treatment of CNS leukemic relapse has been frustrated by frequent local recurrence and eventual marrow relapse. We describe the treatment of meningeal leukemia in 39 children with intrathecal remission induction followed by the placement of an Ommaya reservoir to facilitate the administration and distribution of chemotherapeutic agents into the CSF. Six hundred or 900 rad of craniospinal radiation and maintenance intraventricular and intrathecal chemotherapy was then administered. Systemic reinduction therapy was added in the later cases. Sixteen children (41%) experienced no further events, with 17+ months to 13+ years (median, 25 months) follow-up . Eleven patients (28%) had CNS recurrence, nine (23%) bone marrow (BM) relapse, and two (5%) testicular relapse as the next adverse event. The course of patients with first isolated CNS relapse differed from that of the others. Eleven (69%) of 16 patients treated for first isolated CNS relapse are alive and 9 are event free, while only 35% of patients whose CNS relapse occurred simultaneously or after recurrent disease at other sites are alive (P = .04). Seven of 23 in the later group are event free. The difference is due to the increased incidence of BM relapse in the later group (30% v 6%; P = .04). For patients with first isolated CNS relapse, the life-table median CNS remission duration is 42 months. The projected CNS relapse-free survival and event-free survival 8 to 10 years after CNS relapse are 40% and 32%, respectively. Headache, nausea, and emesis of short duration were frequent during therapy. In three patients, the reservoir had to be removed for infection. No patient suffered neurologic deficit related to the reservoir. The therapy described can reduce the CNS relapse rate with manageable toxicity. Systemic relapse is still a major problem after multiple CNS relapse and in those in whom the CNS relapse follows or is simultaneous with relapse at other sites.