The impact of gender, age and patient selection on prognosis and outcome in diffuse large B-cell lymphoma - a population-based study

Cuproptosis-related lncRNA signature as a prognostic tool and therapeutic target in diffuse large B cell lymphoma

Cuproptosis is a newly defined form of programmed cell death that relies on mitochondria respiration. Long noncoding RNAs (lncRNAs) play crucial roles in tumorigenesis and metastasis. However, whether cuproptosis-related lncRNAs are involved in the pathogenesis of diffuse large B cell lymphoma (DLBCL) remains unclear. This study aimed to identify the prognostic signatures of cuproptosis-related lncRNAs in DLBCL and investigate their potential molecular functions. RNA-Seq data and clinical information for DLBCL were collected from The Cancer Genome Atlas (TCGA) and Gene Expression Omnibus (GEO). Cuproptosis-related lncRNAs were screened out through Pearson correlation analysis. Utilizing univariate Cox, least absolute shrinkage and selection operator (Lasso) and multivariate Cox regression analysis, we identified seven cuproptosis-related lncRNAs and developed a risk prediction model to evaluate its prognostic value across multiple groups. GO and KEGG functional analyses, single-sample GSEA (ssGSEA), and the ESTIMATE algorithm were used to analyze the mechanisms and immune status between the different risk groups. Additionally, drug sensitivity analysis identified drugs with potential efficacy in DLBCL. Finally, the protein-protein interaction (PPI) network were constructed based on the weighted gene co-expression network analysis (WGCNA). We identified a set of seven cuproptosis-related lncRNAs including LINC00294, RNF139-AS1, LINC00654, WWC2-AS2, LINC00661, LINC01165 and LINC01398, based on which we constructed a risk model for DLBCL. The high-risk group was associated with shorter survival time than the low-risk group, and the signature-based risk score demonstrated superior prognostic ability for DLBCL patients compared to traditional clinical features. By analyzing the immune landscapes between two groups, we found that immunosuppressive cell types were significantly increased in high-risk DLBCL group. Moreover, functional enrichment analysis highlighted the association of differentially expressed genes with metabolic, inflammatory and immune-related pathways in DLBCL patients. We also found that the high-risk group showed more sensitivity to vinorelbine and pyrimethamine. A cuproptosis-related lncRNA signature was established to predict the prognosis and provide insights into potential therapeutic strategies for DLBCL patients.

CT radiomics can predict disease progression within 6 months after chimeric antigen receptor-modified T-cell therapy in relapsed/refractory B-cell non-Hodgkin's lymphoma patients

AIM

To predict progression within 6 months after chimeric antigen receptor-modified (CAR) T-cell therapy for relapsed/refractory (R/R) B-cell non-Hodgkin's lymphoma (B-NHL) patients by radiomic indexes derived from contrast-enhanced computed tomography (CECT) examinations.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

Seventy R/R B-NHL patients who underwent CECT before treatment with CAR T-cells were examined retrospectively. In total, 297 volumes of interest for lesions were segmented from CECT images. Patients without and with disease progression were assigned to groups 1 and 2, respectively. Radiomic and combined predictive models were constructed by three machine-learning algorithms using features from the training set, respectively. Furthermore, predictive models were constructed based on multi-lesion-based and largest-lesion-based radiomic features, respectively.

RESULTS

In the test set, no marked differences were observed between the areas under the curves (AUCs) of the combined and radiomic models for all three machine-learning algorithms (all p>0.05). Differences in machine-learning algorithms did not significantly affect the predictive performances of the models. Radiomics and combined models constructed with multi-lesion-based radiomic features showed better predictive performances than those applying largest-lesion-based radiomic features (all p<0.05 for comparisons between combined models).

CONCLUSION

CECT-based radiomic features may be applied to predict disease progression in R/R B-NHL patients within 6 months after CAR T-cell treatment, and radiomic features from multiple lesions may have better predictive efficacy. Different machine-learning algorithms may not show significant differences in prediction performance.

Sex- and Female Age-Dependent Differences in Gene Expression in Diffuse Large B-Cell Lymphoma-Possible Estrogen Effects

For most lymphomas, including diffuse large B-cell lymphoma (DLBCL), the male incidence is higher, and the prognosis is worse compared to females. The reasons are unclear; however, epidemiological and experimental data suggest that estrogens are involved. With this in mind, we analyzed gene expression data from a publicly available cohort (EGAD00001003600) of 746 DLBCL samples based on RNA sequencing. We found 1293 genes to be differentially expressed between males and females (adj. p-value < 0.05). Few autosomal genes and pathways showed common sex-regulated expression between germinal center B-cell (GCB) and activated B-cell lymphoma (ABC) DLBCL. Analysis of differentially expressed genes between pre- vs. postmenopausal females identified 208 GCB and 345 ABC genes, with only 5 being shared. When combining the differentially expressed genes between females vs. males and pre- vs. postmenopausal females, nine putative estrogen-regulated genes were identified in ABC DLBCL. Two of them, NR4A2 and MUC5B, showed induced and repressed expression, respectively. Interestingly, NR4A2 has been reported as a tumor suppressor in lymphoma. We show that ABC DLBCL females with a high NR4A2 expression showed better survival. Inversely, MUC5B expression causes a more malignant phenotype in several cancers. NR4A2 and MUC5B were confirmed to be estrogen-regulated when the ABC cell line U2932 was grafted to mice. The results demonstrate sex- and female reproductive age-dependent differences in gene expression between DLBCL subtypes, likely due to estrogens. This may contribute to the sex differences in incidence and prognosis.

Role of estrogen receptor signaling pathway-related genes in diffuse large B-cell lymphoma and identification of key targets via integrated bioinformatics analysis and experimental validation

Diffuse large B-cell lymphoma (DLBCL) is a highly heterogeneous malignancy. Epidemiologically, the incidence of DLBCL is higher in men, and the female sex is a favorable prognostic factor, which can be explained by estrogen. This study aimed to explore the potential targets of the estrogen receptor (ER) signaling pathway and provide a meaningful way to treat DLBCL patients. Datasets were obtained from the Gene Expression Omnibus (GEO) to identify differentially expressed genes (DEGs). Representative gene sets estrogen receptor pathways, and growth regulatory pathways were identified based on Gene Set Enrichment Analysis (GSEA) analysis. Gene Ontology (GO) and Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes (KEGG) were used for function and pathway analysis. STRING and Cytoscape were used to construct the interaction network, and the MCODE plug-in performed the module analysis. GEPIA, TCGA, and LOGpc databases were used for expression and predictive analysis. The Human Protein Atlas (HPA) database was used to analyze the protein expression levels, cBioPortal was used to explore genetic alterations, and ROC analysis and prognostic assessment were used to predict the diagnostic value of genes. Finally, BJAB cells were treated with ER inhibitor fulvestrant and specific shRNA, and the expression of hub genes was verified by RT-qPCR. We identified 81 overlapping DEGs and CDC6, CDC20, KIF20A, STIL, and TOP2A as novel biomarkers affecting the prognosis of DLBCL. In addition, the STAT and KRAS pathways are considered potential growth regulatory pathways. These results hold promise for new avenues for the treatment of DLBCL patients.

Evaluation for pharmacokinetic exposure of cytotoxic anticancer drugs in elderly patients receiving (R-)CHOP therapy

(R-)miniCHOP therapy, which delivers approximately half-doses of the (R-)CHOP regimen, has shown efficacy and safety in patients who are more than 80 years old. This study aimed to compare the area under the plasma concentration–time curves (AUCs) of vincristine (VCR), doxorubicin (DXR), and cyclophosphamide (CPA) between (R-)CHOP and (R-)miniCHOP regimens. The AUCs were compared between patients aged 65–79 years receiving (R-)CHOP therapy and those aged 80 years and older receiving (R-)miniCHOP therapy. Age was not an independent variable for predicting the dose-adjusted AUCs (AUC/Ds) of cytotoxic anticancer drugs. The median AUCs of DXR and CPA were significantly smaller in the (R-)miniCHOP group than in the (R-)CHOP group (168.7 vs. 257.9 ng h/mL, P = 0.003, and 219.9 vs. 301.7 µg h/mL, P = 0.020, respectively). The median AUCs of VCR showed the same trend but the difference was not significant (24.83 vs. 34.85 ng h/mL, P = 0.135). It is possible that the AUCs of VCR, DXR, and CPA in patients aged 80 years and older receiving (R-)miniCHOP therapy may be lower than those in patients 65–79 years old receiving (R-)CHOP therapy.

Application of comprehensive geriatric assessment in predicting early mortality among elder patients with B-cell lymphoma receiving immunochemotherapy

OBJECTIVES

Early mortality, defined as death within 120 days after initiated antitumor therapy, is an important issue especially for elder patients with B-cell lymphoma. This study aimed to evaluate the clinical value of comprehensive geriatric assessment (CGA) in early mortality prediction in elderly patients with B-cell lymphoma receiving immunochemotherapy.

METHODS

Seventy-six consecutive patients with newly diagnosed B-cell lymphoma receiving immunochemotherapy from a medical center in Taiwan were prospectively enrolled. Patients were divided into fit (n = 49) and frail (n = 27) groups per pretreatment CGA for early mortality comparison.

RESULTS

The early mortality rate in our patient cohort was 16% (n = 12): from 6% in patients with no CGA domain impairment to 43% in patients with ≥4 CGA domain impairment. The early mortality rate was 6% and 33% in fit and frail patients (odds ratio, 7.67; 95% CI, 1.86-31.6; P = .005), respectively. Frailty was the significant predictor for early mortality in univariate and multivariate analysis.

CONCLUSION

In this study, the number of geriatric domain impairment is positively associated with the early mortality risk in elderly patients with B-cell lymphoma. Therefore, CGA can help clinicians to identify the risk of early mortality in elderly patients and provide alternative treatment.

Older adults in hematologic malignancy trials: Representation, barriers to participation and strategies for addressing underrepresentation

Despite a high incidence of hematologic malignancies in older adults, available data indicate that there is disproportionately low representation of adults ≥65 years with hematologic malignancies (greater in patients ≥75 years) in clinical trials. Biological and clinical differences between older and younger adults and diversity within older patients necessitate adequate representation of the older subpopulation in hematologic malignancy trials. This would allow trial results to be generalizable and inform treatment decisions in the older patient population. Restrictive eligibility criteria may be barriers to adequate representation, as older adults do not typically meet these criteria. Efforts to broaden eligibility criteria in clinical trials have been proposed and may promote enrollment of a representative older population with hematologic malignancies. Collaboration among a diverse group of stakeholders will be needed to implement current proposals and evaluate their impact on increasing representation of older adults in trials evaluating therapies for hematologic malignancies.

Efficacy of the Nordic and the MSKCC chemotherapy protocols on the overall and progression-free survival in intracranial PCNSL

BACKGROUND

To compare the Nordic and the Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center (MSKCC) chemotherapy protocols for Overall Survival (OS) and Progression-Free Survival (PFS) for intracranial primary CNS lymphoma (PCNSL).

METHODS

A prospective database at Oslo University Hospital of PCNSL was reviewed over a 12-year period (2003-2014).

RESULTS

Overall, 79 patients with PCNSL were identified, of whom 57 received chemotherapy. MSKCC with Rituximab (RTX) was used in 18 patients (32%) who had median OS of 46.3 months [9.8-131.9] and median PFS of 34.6 months [6.4-131.9]. The Nordic protocol was used in 14 patients (25%) who had median OS of 30.9 months [2.7-106.3] and PFS of 14.3 months [0.0-106.3]. The MSKCC was used without RTX in 25 patients (44%) who had OS of 15.2 months [0.7-136.5] and PFS of 12.0 months [0.0-117.0]. MSKCC with RTX had a significantly longer median OS (p < 0.05) compared to the other regimens in univariate analysis. In multivariate analysis, the only prognostic factor for OS and PFS of significance was deep brain involvement (p < 0.005).

CONCLUSIONS

In univariate analysis, the MSKCC with RTX achieved significantly longer median OS compared to the Nordic protocol. However, in multivariate analysis, the only prognostic factor for survival of statistical significance was deep brain involvement.

Disparities by race, age, and sex in the improvement of survival for lymphoma: Findings from a population-based study

Objective

To evaluate improvement in survival of lymphoma patients from 1990 to 2014, stratified by age, sex and race using Surveillance Epidemiology and End-Result Survey Program (SEER) data.

Study design and setting

We identified 113,788 incident lymphoma cases from nine SEER cancer registries were followed up for cause-specific mortality from lymphoma. Cox proportional hazard regression was used to estimate hazard ratios (HRs) and their respective 95% confidence interval (CIs) for various time periods within groups stratified by race, age and sex.

Results

Five-year survival for Hodgkin’s lymphoma (HL) was 89% for patients 20–49 years of age. For this age group, compared to 1990–1994, survival significantly improved in 2000–2004 (HR = 0.65; 95% CI: 0.54–0.78), 2005–2009 (HR = 0.46, 95% CI: 0.38–0.57) and 2010–2014 (HR = 0.29, 95% CI: 0.20–0.41). Hodgkin’s lymphoma patients aged 75–85 years had 5-year survival of 37% and in these patients, compared to 1990-1994, survival only improved from 2005 onward (HR = 0.67, 95% CI: 0.50–0.90). In patients with non-Hodgkin’s Lymphoma (NHL), all age groups showed survival improvements between 1990–1994 period and 2010–2014 period. Improvements in HL and NHL survival were seen for all race categories and both genders.

Conclusion

Survival among US lymphoma patients has improved substantially between 1990–1994 period and 2010–2014 period, though disease-specific mortality was still higher in older age groups.

Peripheral T cell lymphomas in elderly patients: a retrospective analysis from the Hematology Association of South East Korea (HASEK)

Limited data are available on the clinical features and the outcomes of elderly patients with peripheral T cell lymphomas (PTCLs). We identified PTCL patients of age 60 years or older from the records of the Hematology Association of South East Korea between 2001 and 2014. The median age of the patients (70.4 % male) was 71 years (range 60-88 years). The majority (80.2 %) had stage III/IV disease, and 61.7 % of patients had Charlson comorbidity index (CCI) score 0. Out of 74 patients treated with chemotherapy, 62 were administered anthracycline-based combination chemotherapy (CHOP: 47 patients, CHOEP: 15 patients), and 12 received non-anthracycline-based combination chemotherapy (IMEP: 8 patients, and CVP: 4 patients). The overall response rate for the 74 patients treated with chemotherapy was 70.2 % (CR 37.8 % and PR 32.4 %). With a median follow-up of 23.8 (range 0.5-156) months, the estimated 5-year progression-free survival (PFS) and overall survival (OS) were 16.6 and 45.9 %, respectively. There were no significant differences in PFS and OS between patients treated with anthracycline-based and non-anthracycline-based combination chemotherapy. In the univariate analysis, increased age, elevated serum lactate dehydrogenase, Eastern Cooperative Oncology Group performance status >1, higher CCI, high or high-intermediate IPI, and PIT groups 3-4 were associated with shorter OS. Our findings may provide valuable information on the management and outcomes of elderly patients with PTCL in clinical practice.

The Impact of Age and Sex in DLBCL: Systems Biology Analyses Identify Distinct Molecular Changes and Signaling Networks

Potential molecular alterations based on age and sex are not well defined in diffuse large B-cell lymphoma (DLBCL). We examined global transcriptome DLBCL data from The Cancer Genome Atlas (TCGA) via a systems biology approach to determine the molecular differences associated with age and sex. Collectively, sex and age revealed striking transcriptional differences with older age associated with decreased metabolism and telomere functions and female sex was associated with decreased interferon signaling, transcription, cell cycle, and PD-1 signaling. We discovered that the key genes for most groups strongly regulated immune function activity. Furthermore, older females were predicted to have less DLBCL progression versus older males and young females. Finally, analyses in systems biology revealed that JUN and CYCS signaling were the most critical factors associated with tumor progression in older and male patients. We identified important molecular perturbations in DLBCL that were strongly associated with age and sex and were predicted to strongly influence tumor progression.

[Late cardiotoxicity of high-dose chemotherapy according to the modified NHL-BFM-90 program in adult patients with diffuse large B-cell lymphoma]

AIM

To evaluate the late cardiotoxicity (CT) of high-dose chemotherapy (CT) according to the modified NHL-BFM-90 (mNHL-BFM-90) protocol in adult patients with diffuse large B-cell lymphoma (DLBCL).

SUBJECTS AND METHODS

The results of electrocardiography (ECG) and echocardiography (echoCG) were analyzed in 40 DLBCL patients treated according to the mNHL-BFM-90 program in the Hematology Research Center (HRC), Russian Academy of Medical Sciences (RAMS), in 2002 to 2009. A study group consisted of 20 men and 20 women whose age was 31 to 76 years; median age was 56.5 years at the time of their examination and the median follow-up time after therapy was 6 years. The individual cumulative dose of doxorubicin was 150-300 mg/M2. A comparison group included 19 patients receiving CHOP/R-CHOP CT in HRC, RAMS, in 2002 to 2009. Out of them, there were 8 men and 11 women whose age was 39 to 78 years median age was 70 years at the time of their examination. The individual cumulative dose of doxorubicin was 200-400 mg/M2. ECG and echoCG were carried out before and 5 years or more after CT.

RESULTS

Out of the 40 patients with DLBCL, the signs of subclinical cardiomyopathy (CMP) were detected in 24 (60%) patients; no clinical manifestations of congestive heart failure (CHF) were found in any patient. In the comparison group of 19 patients receiving CHOP/R-CHOP CT, 14 (74%) patients were found to have signs of subclinical CMP and no clinical signs of CHF. The summary toxicity index significantly depended on age (p=0.03) and a history of heart disease (p=0.3); it was significantly higher after CHOP/R-CHOP CT (p=0.05). There was a statistically significant relationship of the risk of subclinical CMP to the history of heart diseases (p=0.05).

CONCLUSION

Late cardiotoxicity of the mNHL-BFM-90 program does not exceed the toxicity of standard CHOP/R-CHOP therapy. Post-CT Echo-CG and ECG findings showed that the patients with the most marked subclinical signs of CMP in both groups had cardiotoxicity risk factors, such as coronary heart disease, hypertensive disease, or diabetes in their history. No clinically significant CHF was identified in any patient.

The role of gender in patients with diffuse large B cell lymphoma treated with rituximab-containing regimens: a meta-analysis

INTRODUCTION

Diffuse large B cell lymphoma (DLBCL) is the most common subtype of non-Hodgkin lymphoma (NHL). Although gender has not been included in prognostic systems, male gender has been found as a bad prognostic indicator in Hodgkin lymphoma, follicular lymphoma and chronic lymphocytic leukemia. The relationship between gender and prognosis is not clear in patients with DLBCL treated with rituximab-containing regimens. The aim of this meta-analysis is to determine the prognostic/predictive role of gender in patients with DLBCL treated with rituximab-containing regimens.

MATERIAL AND METHODS

We systematically searched for studies investigating the relationships between gender and prognosis in DLBCL treated with rituximab-containing regimens. After careful review, survival data were extracted from eligible studies. A meta-analysis was performed to generate combined hazard ratios for overall survival, disease-free survival (DFS) and event-free survival (EFS).

RESULTS

A total of 5635 patients from 20 studies were included in the analysis. Our results showed that male gender was associated with poor prognosis in terms of overall survival (OS) (hazard ratio (HR) = 1.155; 95% confidence interval (CI): 1.037-1.286; p < 0.009). The pooled hazard ratio for DFS and EFS showed that male gender was not statistically significant (HR = 1.219; 95% CI: 0.782-1.899; p = 0.382, HR = 0.809; 95% CI: 0.577-1.133; p = 0.217).

CONCLUSIONS

The present meta-analysis indicated male gender to be associated with a poor prognosis in patients with DLBCL treated with rituximab-containing regimens.

The impact of age on survival of diffuse large B-cell lymphoma - a population-based study

BACKGROUND

For Diffuse large B-cell lymphoma (DLBCL), the International Prognostic Index is the major tool for prognostication and considers an age above 60 years as a risk factor. However, there are several indications that increasing age is associated with more biological complexity, resulting in differences in DLBCL biology depending on age.

METHODS

We conducted a registry-based retrospective cohort study of all Swedish DLBCL patients diagnosed 2000-2013, to evaluate the importance of age at diagnosis for survival of DLBCL patients.

RESULTS

In total, 7166 patients were included for further analysis. Survival declined for every 10-year age group and every age group above the age of 39 had a statistically decreased survival compared to the reference group of 20-29 years. In an analysis of relative survival, and in a multifactorial model adjusted for stage, ECOG performance status, serum lactate dehydrogenase and involvement of extranodal sites, each age group above age 39 had a significantly higher risk ratio (p=0.01) compared to the reference group.

CONCLUSION

This is one of the largest population-based studies of DLBCL published to date. In this study, age persisted as a significant adverse risk factor for patients as young as 40 years, even after adjustment for other risk factors.

A clinically based prognostic index for diffuse large B-cell lymphoma with a cut-off at 70 years of age significantly improves prognostic stratification: population-based analysis from the Danish Lymphoma Registry

The introduction of rituximab and generally improved health among elderly patients have increased the survival of patients with diffuse large B-cell lymphoma (DLBCL). The International Prognostic Index (IPI) from 1992 is based on pre-rituximab data from clinical trials including several lymphoma subtypes. We applied IPI factors to a population-based rituximab-treated cohort of 1990 patients diagnosed 2000-2010 and explored new factors and the optimal prognostic age cut-off for DLBCL. Multivariate-analyses (MVA) confirmed the prognostic value of all IPI factors except the presence of > 1 extranodal lesion. The optimal age cut-off was 70 years. In a MVA of albumin, lymphocyte count, sex, immunoglobulin G, bulky disease, hemoglobin and B-symptoms, only albumin was prognostic. We propose: (1) a modified DLBCL prognostic index (DLBCL-PI) including: age (70 years), performance status (PS), lactate dehydrogenase (LDH), stage and albumin level, and (2) a separate age-adjusted DLBCL-PI for patients ≤ 70 years including PS, LDH, albumin level and > 1 extranodal lesion, however excluding stage.

Diffuse large B-cell lymphoma in elderly patients: a retrospective analysis

BACKGROUND

Few data on patterns of care and outcomes are available for elderly patients with diffuse large B-cell lymphoma (DLBCL) outside of clinical trials.

METHODS

We identified patients with DLBCL older than 60 years from a regional cancer registry between 2000 and 2010. Based on registry data and chart review, 128 patients from the oncology network of Eastern Switzerland were analysed for patient characteristics, treatment and outcomes of DLBCL. Three age groups were compared: 60-69, 70-79 and over 80 years old.

RESULTS

Median age was 73 years (range: 60 to 95 years). 52/121 treated patients received 6 cycles of R-CHOP/CHOP, of those 30 (58%), 18 (35%) and 4 (7%) patients were 60-69 years, 70-79 years or older than 80 years respectively, with a significant difference by age group, p=0.001. Median OS of patients 60-69, 70-79, and 80 years and older receiving 6 cycles of R-CHOP/CHOP were: 54 months, 31 months and 24 months respectively. In comparison, patients receiving other than 6 cycles of R-CHOP/CHOP treatment regimens had a median OS of 22 months, 17 months and 6 months, respectively. In the multivariable analysis other than 6 cycles of R-CHOP/CHOP were significantly associated with poor survival. The risk of dying increased by a mean of 6% for each year of age from age 60 years onwards.

CONCLUSION

In conclusion, treatment regimens other than 6 cycles of R-CHOP/CHOP were significant predictors for survival in our oncology network. The possibility of using R-CHOP treatment regimen should be seriously considered in elderly patients with DLBCL.

Impact of BMI and Gender on Outcomes in DLBCL Patients Treated with R-CHOP: A Pooled Study from the LYSA

In diffuse large B-cell lymphoma (DLBCL), the age-adjusted International Prognostic Index (aaIPI) score is currently used to predict patient outcomes and to choose the best therapeutic treatment. Body mass index (BMI) and gender are occasionally sited as prognostic factors; however, their value has never been studied in a large series of patients included in prospective clinical trials in the rituximab era. To assess the impact of BMI and gender on OS and PFS independently of the aaIPI score, we pooled 985 patients that were prospectively included in GELA studies and uniformly treated with R-CHOP. Univariate analysis indicated that high aaIPI and male gender were associated with a worse PFS, whereas high (>25) or low (<18.5) BMI scores were not. High aaIPI score was the only factor predictive for OS. In a multivariate analysis, including aaIPI score, gender, BMI, and interaction between BMI and gender, aaIPI remained the strongest predictive factor, and BMI < 18.5 was significantly associated with a worse OS but not PFS. In conclusion, in the rituximab era, the aaIPI score remains the major predictor of outcome in DLBCL patients; however, male gender and low BMI seem to impact outcome.

Suboptimal dosing of rituximab in male and female patients with DLBCL

To determine the effect of gender on outcome, the male hazard ratio for progression-free survival (HRPFS-male) was determined in patients with diffuse large B-cell lymphoma (DLBCL). In young patients (MapThera International Trial study), HRPFS-male was 1.3 (P = .092) without and 1.1 (P = .660) with rituximab. In elderly patients (RICOVER-60 study), HRPFS-male was 1.1 (P = .348) with CHOP but increased to 1.6 (P = .004) with R-CHOP. The similar improvements of outcome in young patients were associated with similar rituximab clearances in young males and females (9.89 vs 10.38 mL/h; P = .238), whereas the greater benefit for elderly females was associated with a slower rituximab clearance (8.47 vs 10.59 mL/h; P = .005) and hence higher serum levels and longer exposure times, attributable to an age-dependent (P = .004) decrease of rituximab clearance in females but not males. Compared with elderly females, all other subgroups had significantly faster rituximab clearances and hence appear to be suboptimally dosed when rituximab is given at 375 mg/m(2). Although early results of pharmacokinetic-based prospective trials designed to exploit the full therapeutic potential of rituximab suggest that increased doses and/or prolonged exposure times can improve the outcome of elderly males with DLBCL, further studies are warranted that address the optimization of rituximab dose and schedule in all subgroups of DLBCL patients.

Genetic and immunohistochemical characterization of Epstein-Barr virus-associated diffuse large B-cell lymphoma

Epstein-Barr virus (EBV) has a pathogenic role in several lymphomas, including diffuse large B-cell lymphoma (DLBCL). EBV-associated genetic aberrations in DLBCL have not been fully characterized. The aim of this study was to investigate the prevalence of EBV infection in sporadic DLBCL cases in Kuwait and to evaluate their EBV status in relation to demographic data, the anatomical disease site, immunophenotypic features, particularly pertaining to the Choi's DLBCL prognostic classification, and chromosomal aberrations. Using immunohistochemistry (IHC), in situ hybridization (ISH), nested polymerase chain reaction (nPCR) and comparative genomic hybridization techniques, formalin-fixed paraffin-embedded blocks of archived DLBCL cases were included and evaluated in the study. EBV was detected in 6.9, 18.2 and 25% of the studied cases using IHC, ISH and nPCR, respectively, indicating that nPCR is more sensitive in detecting EBV than IHC and ISH. EBV- DLBCL cases showed BCL6 protein expression more frequently than EBV+ DLBCL cases. The reported prevalence of EBV+ DLBCL cases in this study is similar to that reported in the literature using ISH results and higher using nPCR results. There was a significant inverse correlation between BCL6 protein expression and the presence of EBV (p = 0.01).

Improvements in observed and relative survival in follicular grade 1-2 lymphoma during 4 decades: the Stanford University experience

Recent studies report an improvement in overall survival (OS) of patients with follicular lymphoma (FL). Previously untreated patients with grade 1 to 2 FL treated at Stanford University from 1960-2003 were identified. Four eras were considered: era 1, pre-anthracycline (1960-1975, n = 180); era 2, anthracycline (1976-1986, n = 426); era 3, aggressive chemotherapy/purine analogs (1987-1996, n = 471); and era 4, rituximab (1997-2003, n = 257). Clinical characteristics, patterns of care, and survival were assessed. Observed OS was compared with the expected OS calculated from Berkeley Mortality Database life tables derived from population matched by gender and age at the time of diagnosis. The median OS was 13.6 years. Age, gender, and stage did not differ across the eras. Although primary treatment varied, event-free survival after the first treatment did not differ between eras (P = .17). Median OS improved from 11 years in eras 1 and 2 to 18.4 years in era 3 and has not yet been reached for era 4 (P < .001), with no suggestion of a plateau in any era. These improvements in OS exceeded improvements in survival in the general population during the same period. Several factors, including better supportive care and effective therapies for relapsed disease, are likely responsible for this improvement.

Prognostic role of gender in diffuse large B-cell lymphoma treated with rituximab containing regimens: a Fondazione Italiana Linfomi/Grupo de Estudos em Moléstias Onco-Hematológicas retrospective study

Male gender was recently reported as an adverse prognostic factor in patients with diffuse large B-cell lymphoma (DLBCL) treated with R-CHOP (rituximab, cyclophosphamide, doxorubicin, vincristine and prednisone). We conducted a retrospective study of adult patients with DLBCL initially treated with rituximab containing regimens between 2001 and 2007. Patients were identified from the clinical archives of 43 Italian and Brazilian institutions. The principal endpoint was overall survival (OS). One thousand seven hundred and ninety-three patients were fully eligible for the study. Thirty-eight percent, 27%, 22% and 12% of patients had an International Prognostic Index (IPI) score of 0-1, 2, 3 and 4-5, respectively; 53% were males. After a median follow-up of 36 months (1-106), the 5-year OS was 76% (95% confidence interval 74-78%). In univariate analysis, male gender was an adverse prognostic factor with a hazard ratio of 1.52. In multivariate analysis, when adjusted by IPI, again gender maintained its prognostic relevance, showing an independent additive effect. In conclusion, in patients with DLBCL treated with rituximab containing regimens, gender may increase the predictive power of the IPI. Based on these results, given possible differences in blood clearance of rituximab between males and females, the benefit of higher doses of rituximab in males should be explored.

The impact of age, Charlson comorbidity index, and performance status on treatment of elderly patients with diffuse large B cell lymphoma

Treatment intensity will affect outcome in elderly patients with diffuse large B cell lymphoma (DLBCL). We retrospectively reviewed 333 DLBCL patients aged over 60 years who were diagnosed between January 2003 and December 2010 to evaluate the difference between different treatment regimens. The median age was 73 years; 56.8 % of patients received treatment with rituximab-containing regimens. In univariate analysis, patients with younger age, better performance status, early Ann Arbor stage, lower International Prognostic Index (IPI), normal serum lactate dehydrogenase, normal serum albumin, or normal serum beta-2 microglobulin received more intensive treatment regimens. In multivariate analysis, patients with younger age (p < 0.001) or better performance status (p = 0.027) received treatment of more intensive regimens. The treatment regimens were not different between patients with lower and higher Charlson comorbidity index (CCI). Female gender, normal serum beta-2 microglobulin, lower CCI, lower IPI, and treatment with more intensive regimens predicted better progression-free survival and overall survival in multivariate analysis. Patients treated with rituximab-containing regimens had better progression-free survival (median 22.2 vs. 9.9 months, p = 0.005) and better overall survival (median 34.9 vs. 21.8 months, p = 0.042) as compared to those treated without rituximab. In conclusion, our results showed that patients with younger age or better performance status received more intensive treatment. The treatment regimen was not different between patients with lower and higher CCI. Rituximab-containing regimens improved the outcome of elderly patients with DLBCL.

Improved outcome for very elderly patients with diffuse large B-cell lymphoma in the immunochemotherapy era

The prognosis of diffuse large B-cell lymphoma (DLBCL) has improved significantly since the introduction of immunochemotherapy (rituximab [R] with cyclophosphamide, doxorubicin, vincristine, prednisone [CHOP]). However, few outcome data are available for very elderly patients (≥ 80 years). Therefore, we compared all patients with DLBCL aged ≥ 80 years diagnosed in the Gothenburg area during two time periods (2006-2009, "post-R" and 1997-2000, "pre-R"). Forty and 30 patients were identified, corresponding to 23.5% and 20.5%, respectively, of the entire population with DLBCL. Estimated 3-year progression-free (PFS) and overall (OS) survival was better post-R than pre-R: 41% vs. 17% (p = 0.015) and 41% vs. 17% (p = 0.01), respectively. Fifty-three percent of post-R patients were treated with curative intent with a moderately reduced R-CHOP regimen (median relative dose intensity: 0.86). At a median follow-up of 29 months, the 3-year PFS and OS were 70% (p = 0.018) and 76% (p = 0.0089), respectively. In conclusion, moderately reduced R-CHOP is tolerable and effective for a considerable number of very elderly patients with DLBCL and high age by itself should not be a reason for excluding a patient with DLBCL from such treatment.

High immunohistochemical expression of p-AKT predicts inferior survival in patients with diffuse large B-cell lymphoma treated with immunochemotherapy

Chemotherapy and rituximab (R) is current standard therapy in diffuse large B-cell lymphoma (DLBCL), but a substantial proportion of patients still fail to reach sustained remission. In vitro studies have indicated that rituximab resistance could be accompanied by dysregulated apoptotic pathways, such as the phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase (PI3K)/AKT signaling pathway, which can be constitutively activated in DLBCL. In this retrospective, immunohistochemical study on 106 patients treated with R-CHO(E)P (cyclophosphamide, doxorubicin, vincristine, prednisone, rituximab [+etoposide]), we investigated the prognostic role of proteins involved in different apoptotic pathways; phosphorylated AKT (p-AKT), bcl-2, MCL1, bcl-xL, Bax and Bak. High p-AKT expression (>108 cells/mm2, highest quartile, n=27) predicted worse progression-free (PFS) (P=0.02) and overall (OS) (P=0.01) survival, independent of International Prognostic Index and sex. Also bcl-2+ (cut-off 50%) predicted worse PFS (P=0.005) and OS (P=0.05) but after adjustment for clinical factors only the influence on PFS (P=0.03) remained significant. The prognostic impact of p-AKT overexpression was independent of bcl-2 status. MCL1, bcl-xL, Bax and Bak expression did not add any prognostic information. Our results suggest that high p-AKT expression predicts worse outcome, possibly indicating that inhibition of the activated PI3K/AKT pathway could be of clinical interest in DLBCL patients. In addition, bcl-2 status could have prognostic importance also in the era of immunochemotherapy.

Immunohistochemical and other prognostic factors in B cell non Hodgkin lymphoma patients, Kampala, Uganda

BACKGROUND

Non Hodgkin lymphomas are the most common lymphomas in Uganda. Recent studies from developed countries have shown differences in survival for the different immunophenotypes. Such studies are lacking in Africa where diagnosis is largely dependent on morphology alone. We report immunohistochemical and other prognostic factors in B cell non Hodgkin lymphoma patients in Kampala, Uganda.

METHODS

Non Hodgkin lymphoma tissue blocks from the archives of the Department of Pathology, Makerere University College of Health Sciences, Kampala, Uganda, from 1991-2000, were sub typed using haematoxylin and eosin, Giemsa as well as immunohistochemistry. Using tissue micro array, 119 biopsies were subjected to: CD3, CD5, CD10, CD20, CD23, CD30, CD38, CD79a, CD138, Bcl-6, Bcl-2, IRTA-1, MUM1/IRF4, Bcl-1/cyclin D1, TdT, ALKc, and Ki-67/Mib1. Case notes were retrieved for: disease stage, chemotherapy courses received and retrospective follow up was done for survival.

RESULTS

Non Hodgkin B cell lymphomas comprised of Burkitt lymphoma [BL] (95/119) diffuse large B cell lymphoma (19/119), mantle cell lymphoma (4/119) and precursor B lymphoblastic lymphoma (1/119). For Burkitt lymphoma, good prognosis was associated with receiving chemotherapy, female gender and CD30 positivity. Only receiving chemotherapy remained significant after Cox regression analysis. Diffuse large B cell lymphomas with activated germinal centre B cell (GCB) pattern (CD10+/-, BCL-6+/-, MUM+/-, CD138+/-) had better survival (98.4 months; 95% CI 89.5 -107.3) than the others (57.3 months; 95% CI 35.5 - 79.0) p = 0.027 (log rank test).

CONCLUSIONS

Activated GCB diffuse large B cell lymphoma had a better prognosis than the others. For Burkitt lymphoma, not receiving chemotherapy carried a poor prognosis. Availability of chemotherapy in this resource limited setting is critical for survival of lymphoma patients.

Survival in non-Hodgkin's lymphoma by histology and family history

PURPOSE

Although survival has been studied for various subtypes of non-Hodgkin's lymphoma (NHL), there have been few comprehensive studies to quantify the prognosis, including all specific histologies. The effect of family history on survival in NHL has not been examined.

METHODS

We used the Swedish Family-Cancer Database to estimate hazard ratios in NHL by histology and family history.

RESULTS

Using diffuse centroblastic lymphoma as reference (HR 1.0), patients with Waldenström's macroglobulinemia and hairy-cell leukemia had the best survival. Survival advantage was also noted among patients with lymphoplasmacytic lymphoma and different kinds of follicular lymphomas. For T-cell lymphoma, mycosis fungoides showed a favorable prognosis. As for survival by family history, a total of 98 familial cases were noted in our Database with a similar prognosis compared to sporadic cases in both parental and offspring generations. A non-significant familial concordance of either good or poor survival was noted among family members when probands' prognosis was stratified by survival time.

CONCLUSIONS

Our results provide quantitative prognosis data for patients with NHL according to specific histologies. Patients with a familial NHL had a similar prognosis compared to patients with sporadic disease. The data suggest familial concordance in either good or poor survival among family members.

Diffuse large B-cell lymphoma: experience from a tertiary care center in North India

Limited information is available from developing countries regarding clinico-pathological presentation of diffuse large B-cell lymphoma (DLBCL). We undertook a retrospective case record study to determine the clinico-laboratory characteristics, treatment outcomes, and prognostic factors for DLBCL and additionally analyzed percentage distribution and patient characteristics for other major subtypes of non-Hodgkin's lymphoma (NHL). DLBCL, constituting 59.3% of all NHL cases, was the predominant subtype. For DLBCL, males:females ratio was 2.7:1 and the median age at presentation was 47 years. Lymphadenopathy was present in 57% patients and B symptoms in 56.7%. A total of 49.3% of patients had Ann Arbor Stage IV disease. Significant differences were observed between favorable (international prognostic index [IPI]-0, 1, and 2) and unfavorable prognosis groups (IPI-3, 4, and 5) with regards to mean hemoglobin levels (P < 0.005), platelet counts (P < 0.05), serum albumin levels (P < 0.05), and erythrocyte sedimentation rates (P < 0.005), thereby suggesting their role as prognostic markers in our population. The median event free survival was 32 months (95% CI: 0-92 months) and the median overall survival was 47 months (95% CI: 3-100 months). Among total NHL, the earlier age of onset, male dominant sex ratio, and higher frequency of B symptoms sets apart NHL in Indian population from that in the developed countries.