Treatment for Waldenstrom’s macroglobulinemia

Survival trends in young patients with Waldenström macroglobulinemia: Over five decades of experience

Waldenström macroglobulinemia (WM) is a rare, indolent lymphoma, that predominately affects the elderly. We report the outcomes of young WM patients, evaluated over five decades, compared to their older counterparts, matched for the time of diagnosis. Between January 1, 1960 and October 31, 2013, 140 (11.8%) WM patients were ≤50 years of age at diagnosis in our database, and their estimated 10-year overall survival (OS) was 74%, with death attributable to WM in a higher proportion of patients compared to their older (≥65 years) counterparts (91% vs. 58%, p = .0001). Young patients were grouped into three cohorts based on the timing of the initiation of therapy: Group 1 (1960-1977, n = 12), Group 2 (1978-1995, n = 48), and Group 3 (1996-2013, n = 74). Among young patients, there was no disease-specific survival (DSS) difference across the three periods, [median DSS at 13 years (95% CI 5-23), 16 years (95% CI 14-22), and 15 years (95% CI 10-NR; p = .41), respectively]. However, DSS for the older cohort incrementally improved (Group 1, median 5.2 years, Group 2: 9.6 years, Group 3: 12 years; p = .05) over these periods. The estimated average years-of-life lost for the young cohort was 11.2 years from diagnosis, based on the expected survival for a normal age- and sex-matched population. Despite a protracted disease course, nearly all young patients succumb to their disease. In contrast to the improved survival of the elderly patient population, the evolving treatment strategies in WM have not impacted the outcome of young patients; however, the impact of Bruton tyrosine kinase inhibitors on this unique patient population remains to be determined.

Current and Emerging Treatments for Waldenström Macroglobulinemia

Waldenström macroglobulinemia (WM) is a rare lymphoplasmacytic lymphoma. The primary goal of therapy is to reduce symptoms related to direct infiltration of the bone marrow and decrease monoclonal IgM-associated complications. Active agents in the management of WM can be broadly classified as rituximab-alkylator combination therapy, proteasome inhibitor-based therapy, and Bruton's tyrosine kinase inhibitor-based therapy. MYD88L265P and CXCR4 genetic status are pivotal for tailoring treatment options. Ibrutinib is a suitable treatment option for both treatment-naïve and relapsing WM patients. Recent advances in the intracellular B cell and cytokine signaling pathways have contributed to the development of novel therapeutic strategies. Current clinical trials are promising and may further advance WM-directed therapy.

Persistent monotypic plasma cells with absence of neoplastic B cell component in a treated case of waldenström macroglobulinemia: a sign of residual disease?

Waldenström macroglobulinemia (WM) is a rare indolent variant of non- Hodgkin's lymphoma characterised by lymphoplasmacytic infiltration of bone marrow (BM) associated with a serum IgM paraprotein. The WHO classification states that the neoplastic cells of WM usually are positive for monotypic surface immunoglobulin light chain, IgM, CD19, and CD20 and are negative for CD5, CD10, and CD23. Serum monoclonal protein detection by serum protein electrophoresis and bone marrow aspirate and biopsy are required for WM diagnosis, monitoring and response assessment. Pathologist must dissuade themselves from making a hasty decision on calling a complete response in WM when neoplastic B cell component is absent. Evaluation of clonality of any residual plasma cells must be done in all cases of WM to evaluate the presence and extent of residual or persistent disease. Role of additional therapy targeted at these residual plasma cells in WM can be evaluated as tools for achieving complete remission. Herein, we present a case of WM with residual monotypic plasmacytosis in BM, without B lymphocytes after therapy.

Alkylating agents for Waldenstrom's macroglobulinaemia

BACKGROUND

Waldenstrom's macroglobulinaemia (WM) is an uncommon B-cell lymphoproliferative disorder characterized by bone marrow infiltration and production of monoclonal immunoglobulin. Uncertainty remains if alkylating agents, such as chlorambucil, melphalan or cyclophosphamide, are an effective form of management.

OBJECTIVES

To assess the effects and safety of the alkylating agents on Waldenstrom's macroglobulinaemia (WM).

SEARCH STRATEGY

We searched the Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials (Issue 1, 2008), MEDLINE (1966 to 2008), EMBASE (1980 to 2008), the Chinese Biomedical Base (1982 to 2008) and reference lists of articles.We also handsearched relevant conference proceedings from 1990 to 2008.

SELECTION CRITERIA

Randomised controlled trials (RCTs) comparing alkylating agents given concomitantly with radiotherapy, splenectomy, plasmapheresis, stem-cell transplantation in patients with a confirmed diagnosis of WM.

DATA COLLECTION AND ANALYSIS

Two authors independently assessed trial quality and extracted data. We contacted study authors for additional information. We collected adverse effects information from the trials.

MAIN RESULTS

One trial involving 92 participants with pretreated/relapsed WM compared the effect of fludarabine versus the combination of cyclophosphamide (the alkylating agent), doxorubicin and prednisone (CAP). Compared to CAP, the Hazard ratio (HR) for deaths of treatment with fludarabine was estimated to be 1.04, with a standard error of 0.30 (95% CI 0.58 to 1.48) and it indicated that the mean difference of median survival time was -4.00 months, and 16.00 months for response duration. The relative risks (RR) of response rate was 2.80 (95% CI 1.10 to 7.12). There were no statistically difference in overall survival rate and median survival months, while on the basis of response rate and response duration, fludarabine seemed to be superior to CAP for pretreated/relapsed patients with macroglobulinaemia.

AUTHORS' CONCLUSIONS

Although alkylating agents have been used for decades they have never actually been tested in a proper randomised trial. This review demonstrated that there is currently no evidence to suggest that alkylating agents are effective in treating Waldenstrom's macroglobulinaemia.

The addition of rituximab to front-line therapy with CHOP (R-CHOP) results in a higher response rate and longer time to treatment failure in patients with lymphoplasmacytic lymphoma: results of a randomized trial of the German Low-Grade Lymphoma Study Group (GLSG)

Lymphoplasmacytic lymphoma (LPL) is an indolent lymphoma with moderate sensitivity to conventional chemotherapy. This study investigated whether the addition of rituximab to standard chemotherapy improves treatment outcome in LPL and the subgroup of LPL patients fulfilling the criteria of Waldenstroem's macroglobulinemia (WM). A total of 69 patients with previously untreated LPL were enrolled into the trial; 64 patients were evaluable for treatment outcome. In all, 48 of the 64 LPL patients fulfilled the criteria of WM. Patients were randomly assigned to R-CHOP (rituximab, cyclophosphamide, doxorubicin, vincristine and prednisone, n=34) or CHOP (n=30). R-CHOP resulted in significantly higher overall response (OR) rate (94 vs 67%, P=0.0085) in the LPL patients and in the WM subgroup (91 vs 60%, P=0.0188). With a median observation time of 42 months, R-CHOP induced a significantly longer time to treatment failure (TTF) with a median of 63 months for R-CHOP vs 22 months in the CHOP arm in the LPL patients (P=0.0033) and in the WM subgroup (P=0.0241). There was no major difference of treatment-associated toxicity between both treatment groups. These data indicate that the addition of rituximab to front-line chemotherapy improves treatment outcome in patients with LPL or WM.

t(14;18)(q32;q21)-bearing pleural MALT lymphoma with IgM paraproteinemia: value of detection of specific cytogenetic abnormalities in the differential diagnosis of MALT lymphoma and lymphoplasmacytic lymphoma

A 67-year-old woman presented with a pleural effusion and a tumor in the right pleural wall. Histological examination of thoracoscopic tumor and pleural biopsy specimens showed infiltration by medium sized cells, some of which showed plasmacytoid differentiation. In view of the presence of IgM paraproteinemia and bone marrow involvement by lymphoma cells, the patient was diagnosed tentatively as having lymphoplasmacytic lymphoma (LPL). However, chromosomal analysis of the cells in the pleural fluid detected t(14;18)(q32;q21), while fluorescence in situ hybridization was positive for 11% of the MALT1 split signal. Because of the presence of characteristic genetic abnormalities and notable extranodal involvement, the patient was diagnosed as having MALT lymphoma. She was treated with three courses of cladribine and rituximab, and achieved complete regression of the tumor. In this case the detection of t(14;18)(q32;q21) involving IGH and MALT1 was useful for the differential diagnosis of LPL and MALT lymphoma.

Evidence of graft-versus-Waldenstrom's macroglobulinaemia effect after allogeneic stem cell transplantation: a single centre experience

The role of allogeneic stem cell transplantation (SCT) in Waldenstrom's macroglobulinaemia (WM) is not yet clear, as published data on allogeneic SCT in WM are limited. We present a retrospective study of allogeneic SCT in five patients with WM. Median age was 56 years (range 40-60 years). All patients were heavily pretreated. Conditioning therapy with busulphan and cyclophosphamide was used for all patients and all were given cyclosporine and methotrexate for graft-versus-host disease prophylaxis. With a median follow-up of 32 months (range 2-43), all except one are alive and disease free. Progressive, delayed decline in serum IgM levels were noted in all the patients, suggesting an active graft-versus-Waldenstrom's effect. With the limited available data, it appears that allogeneic SCT is a useful treatment option for advanced WM.

Paraproteinemic neuropathy

Paraproteinemia frequently is associated with peripheral neuropathy. The clinical manifestations can be protean owing to the potential for multiple organ involvement. A methodical diagnostic approach to patients who have a plasma cell dyscrasia and neuropathy is necessary to ensure the appropriate detection of more widespread systemic involvement.

Myelodysplastic Syndrome with Complex Karyotypic Abnormality in a Patient with Waldenström's Macroglobulinemia after Sequential Treatment with Chlorambucil and Fludarabine

A therapy-related myelodysplastic syndrome (t-MDS) during the course of Waldenström's macroglobulinemia (WM) has been observed in rare patients. In most of them, the condition developed after treatment with alkylating agents. We experienced a 65-year-old male patient who was diagnosed as WM. He was treated with intermittent oral chlorambucil for 12 months and three cycles of fludarabine, and complete response was achieved after fludarabine treatment. During routine outpatient follow-up, severe anemia occurred. His bone marrow aspirate showed dysplastic hemopoiesis with ringed sideroblasts and siderocytes, which is consistent with MDS (refractory anemia with ringed sideroblasts). Cytogenetic analysis showed complex chromosomal abnormalities including 5q deletion, 12p deletion and monosomy 18. When decision is made to treat WM with chlorambucil and/or fludarabine, a potential risk for t-MDS or therapy-related acute myeloid leukemia should be considered and a close hematologic monitoring is needed.

Treatment of 72 newly diagnosed Waldenstrom macroglobulinemia cases with oral melphalan, cyclophosphamide, and prednisone: results and cost analysis

BACKGROUND

Current treatment regimens for Waldenstrom macroglobulinemia (WM) are based on the use of oral alkylating agents. Recently, however, other more costly agents have been proposed for the treatment of WM. In the current study, the authors report on results obtained using oral melphalan, cyclophosphamide, and prednisone (MCP) to treat 72 patients with WM, and they compare these results (and the associated costs) with those observed using more aggressive protocols.

METHODS

Between July 1973 and April 2002, the authors documented overexpression of the immunoglobulin M paraprotein in 317 consecutive patients. Of these, 100 had newly diagnosed WM, and the 72 who were symptomatic were treated using the MCP protocol. Response rate, overall survival (OS), response duration, freedom from progression (FFP), event-free survival (EFS) duration, toxicity, and cost per course in Euro and U.S. dollars were evaluated for patients receiving this regimen.

RESULTS

Seventy-one of 72 patients (99%) were evaluable. Of these patients, 55 (77%) achieved a response; 7 others (10%) experienced disease stabilization, and the remaining 9 (13%) experienced disease progression. After a median follow-up of 72 months (range, 3-195 months), the median durations of EFS, FFP, response, and OS were 47, 55, 64, and 66 months, respectively. No World Health Organization Grade III or IV toxicities were observed, and side effects were limited to transient nausea, emesis, and mild neutropenia. The cost per course of the MCP regimen was $16, similar to that of standard protocols involving chlorambucil and much less than that of more aggressive protocols (price range, $91-11091) proposed for the treatment of WM.

CONCLUSIONS

Like chlorambucil-based protocols, the MCP regimen is a cost-effective and safe option for the treatment of patients with WM. Furthermore, the results obtained do not appear to be inferior to those yielded by more expensive, aggressive, and toxic intravenous protocols.