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The LNH03-6B trial was a phase 3 randomized trial evaluating the efficacy of first-line rituximab, cyclophosphamide, doxorubicine, vincristine and prednisone (R-CHOP) delivered every 2 weeks (R-CHOP14) or 3 weeks (R-CHOP21) in patients with diffuse large B-cell lymphoma (DLBCL) aged 60 to 80 years with an aaIPI (age-adjusted International Prognostic Index) score ≥1 (registered as NCT00144755). We implemented a prospective long-term follow-up program at the end of this trial. The primary endpoints were progression-free survival (PFS) and overall survival (OS). Relapse patterns, PFS and OS after the first progression (PFS2 and OS2) were secondary endpoints. LNH03-6B was registered with ClinicalTrials.gov #NCT00144755. In the LNH03-6B trial, 304 and 296 patients were assigned to receive 8 cycles of R-CHOP14 or R-CHOP21, respectively. Long-term follow-up data were investigated for 256 of 384 (67%) patients still alive at the primary analysis. With a median follow-up of 10.1 years, 213 patients progressed, and 140 patients died without progression. The 10-year PFS was 40.4% (95% confidence interval, 35.9-44.9). Ten-year OS was based on 302 deaths and estimated at 50% (43-56). Of the 213 patients, 105 (49%) progressed after second-line therapy, and 77 patients died without a second progression (36%). The 1-year PFS2 and 1-year OS2 were estimated at 37.9% (95% confidence interval, 31.4-44.5) and 55.8% (95% confidence interval, 48.8-62.2), respectively. Ten years after randomization, the outcomes of patients treated for DLBCL were similar according to PFS and OS between the RCHOP-14 and R-CHOP21 groups. Progression or relapse led to poor prognosis after second-line chemotherapy in the pre CAR-T-cell era. Novel approaches in first-line and alternative treatments in second-line treatments are warranted in this population.

•Beneficial effects of R-CHOP are sustained over a 10-year follow-up period in 60- to 80-year-old patients with DLBCL.•Relapse/progression led to very poor outcome, except for ∼10% of thoroughly selected patients who received autologous transplantation.

The objective of this study was to explore differences in outcomes between first-line rituximab plus bendamustine (R-B) and R-CHOP/R-DHAP (rituximab, cyclophosphamide, doxorubicin, vincristine, prednisone, dexamethasone, cytarabine, cisplatin) in transplant-eligible patients with mantle cell lymphoma (MCL). A population-based cohort of 97 patients aged 18 to 65 years with stage II-IV MCL, consecutively treated with R-B was retrospectively identified at BC Cancer. Baseline characteristics, response rates, and outcomes were compared with the cohort of 232 patients with MCL randomized to the R-CHOP/R-DHAP arm of the MCL Younger trial. The primary endpoint was the hazard ratio (HR) of the progression-free survival (PFS) comparison between both groups, adjusted for MCL International Prognostic Index (MIPI), Ki67 index, and blastoid/ pleomorphic morphology. Ann Arbor stage, lactate dehydrogenase, MIPI, blastoid morphology, and MCL35 assignments were similar between both groups. The overall response rate (ORR) to R-B was 90% (54% complete response [CR]); 77% of patients proceeded to autologous stem cell transplantation (ASCT) and 78% received maintenance rituximab (MR). The ORR to R-CHOP/R-DHAP was 94% (54% CR); 78% proceeded to ASCT and 2% received MR. There were no differences in PFS in unadjusted (HR, 0.87; 95% confidence interval [CI], 0.53-1.41; P = .56) or adjusted (HR, 0.79; 95% CI, 0.45-1.37; P = .40) comparisons. There were no clear differences in secondary endpoints in unadjusted or adjusted analyses. This retrospective adjusted comparison of 2 independent cohorts of younger patients with MCL suggests that R-B with ASCT and maintenance rituximab is a feasible and effective first-line treatment, with outcomes comparable to R-CHOP/R-DHAP with ASCT.

Mantle cell lymphoma is characterised by a poor long-term prognosis. The European Mantle Cell Lymphoma Network aimed to investigate whether the introduction of high-dose cytarabine to immunochemotherapy before autologous stem-cell transplantation (ASCT) improves outcome.

The outcome of diffuse large B-cell lymphoma has been substantially improved by the addition of the anti-CD20 monoclonal antibody rituximab to chemotherapy regimens. We aimed to assess, in patients aged 18–59 years, the potential survival benefit provided by a dose-intensive immunochemotherapy regimen plus rituximab compared with standard treatment plus rituximab.

The objective of this study was to explore differences in outcomes between first-line R-B and R-CHOP/R-DHAP in transplant-eligible patients with MCL. A population-based cohort of 97 patients aged 18-65 years with stage II-IV MCL, consecutively treated with R-B was retrospectively identified at BC Cancer. Baseline characteristics, response rates, and outcomes were compared to the cohort of 232 MCL patients randomized to the R-CHOP/R-DHAP arm of the MCL Younger trial. The primary aim was to estimate the hazard ratio (HR) of the progression-free survival (PFS) comparison between both groups, adjusted for MCL International Prognostic Index (MIPI), Ki67 index, and blastoid/pleomorphic morphology. Secondary endpoints included response rate, event free survival, overall survival, and time to next treatment. Ann Arbor stage, lactate dehydrogenase, MIPI, blastoid morphology, and MCL35 assignments were similar between both groups. The overall response rate (ORR) to R-B was 90% (54% complete response [CR]); 77% of patients proceeded to autologous stem cell transplantation (ASCT) and 78% received maintenance rituximab (MR). The ORR to R-CHOP/R-DHAP was 94% (54% CR); 78% proceeded to ASCT and 2% received MR. There were no differences in PFS in unadjusted (HR 0.87 [95% CI 0.53-1.41], p=0.56) or adjusted (HR 0.79 [95% CI 0.45-1.37], p=0.40) comparisons. There were no clear differences in secondary endpoints in unadjusted or adjusted analyses. This retrospective adjusted comparison of two independent cohorts of younger patients with MCL suggests that R-B with ASCT and maintenance rituximab is a feasible and effective first-line treatment, with outcomes comparable to R-CHOP/R-DHAP with ASCT.

To evaluate the prognostic significance of clinicobiologic and pathological features in angioimmunoblastic T-cell lymphoma (AITL), 157 AITL patients were retrieved from the GELA LNH87-LNH93 randomized clinical trials. One hundred forty-seven patients received a cyclophosphamide, doxorubicin, vincristine, and prednisone (CHOP)–like regimen with intensified courses in half of them. Histologically, 41 cases were classified as “rich in large cells” and 116 as “classic” (including 19 rich in epithelioid cells, 14 rich in clear cells, and 4 with hyperplastic germinal centers). Sixty-two cases were scored for CD10 and CXCL13 expression according to the abundance of positive lymphoid cells. Median age was 62 years, with 81% advanced stage, 72% B symptoms, 65% anemia, 50% hypergammaglobulinemia, and 66% elevated LDH. Overall 7-year survival was 30%. In multivariate analysis, only male sex (P = .004), mediastinal lymphadenopathy (P = .041), and anemia (P = .042) adversely affected overall survival. Increase in large cells and high level of CD10 and CXCL13 did not affect survival. Intensive regimen did not improve survival. In conclusion, AITL is a morphologically heterogeneous T-cell lymphoma commonly expressing CXCL13 and CD10 and carrying few prognostic factors. It portends a poor prognosis even when treated intensively. However, AITL is not always lethal with 30% of patients alive at 7 years.

To evaluate the prognostic significance of clinicobiologic and pathological features in angioimmunoblastic T-cell lymphoma (AITL), 157 AITL patients were retrieved from the GELA LNH87-LNH93 randomized clinical trials. One hundred forty-seven patients received a cyclophosphamide, doxorubicin, vincristine, and prednisone (CHOP)–like regimen with intensified courses in half of them. Histologically, 41 cases were classified as “rich in large cells” and 116 as “classic” (including 19 rich in epithelioid cells, 14 rich in clear cells, and 4 with hyperplastic germinal centers). Sixty-two cases were scored for CD10 and CXCL13 expression according to the abundance of positive lymphoid cells. Median age was 62 years, with 81% advanced stage, 72% B symptoms, 65% anemia, 50% hypergammaglobulinemia, and 66% elevated LDH. Overall 7-year survival was 30%. In multivariate analysis, only male sex (P= .004), mediastinal lymphadenopathy (P= .041), and anemia (P= .042) adversely affected overall survival. Increase in large cells and high level of CD10 and CXCL13 did not affect survival. Intensive regimen did not improve survival. In conclusion, AITL is a morphologically heterogeneous T-cell lymphoma commonly expressing CXCL13 and CD10 and carrying few prognostic factors. It portends a poor prognosis even when treated intensively. However, AITL is not always lethal with 30% of patients alive at 7 years.

The aims of this study were to assess chemotherapy treatment characteristics, neutropenic event (NE) occurrence and related risk factors in breast cancer patients in Western Europe.Six retrospective audits of breast cancer chemotherapy were combined into a dataset of 2,860 individuals. NEs were defined as neutropenia-related hospitalisation, dose reduction ≥15% or dose delay ≥7 days. Summation dose intensity (SDI) was calculated to compare different types of chemotherapy regimens on a single scale. Risk factors of NE occurrence and of low relative dose intensity (RDI) ≤85% were identified by multiple logistic regression.Patient populations were comparable between audits. Until 1998, cyclophosphamide, methotrexate and fluorouracil regimens were most frequently used, but thereafter, anthracycline-based regimens were most common. NEs occurred in 20% of the patients and low RDI in 16%. NE occurrence predicted low RDI and was associated with higher age, bigger body surface area, lower body mass index, regimen type, more chemotherapy cycles planned, normal to high SDI, concomitant radiotherapy and year of treatment. First cycle NE occurrence predicted NEs from cycle 2 onwards. A risk score using age, SDI, number of planned chemotherapy cycles and concomitant radiotherapy differentiated patients with increasing NE risk (9–37%). An alternative score version not using concomitant radiotherapy performed moderately less well.NEs occurred frequently in this combined dataset and they affected treatment delivery. Identifying patients at high NE risk enables targeted prophylaxis and may avoid dose limitations.

The survival of patients with aggressive non-Hodgkin lymphoma (NHL) is increasing, but the incidence of secondary cancer and late toxicity is poorly defined for those treated with cyclophosphamide-hydroxydaunomycin/doxorubicin-Oncovin-prednisone (CHOP)–like chemotherapy. From February 1984 to January 1998, 2837 patients with aggressive NHL received the control-arm chemotherapy adriamycin-cyclophosphamide-vindesine-bleomycin-prednisone (ACVBP) in 3 consecutive Groupe d’Etude des Lymphomes de l’Adulte (GELA) studies. With a median follow-up time of 74 months, the 5-year overall and event-free survival rates were 60% and 52%. Two hundred two occurrences of nonneoplastic late toxicity were reported, resulting in a 5.35% cumulative probability of incidence at 7 years. Eighty-one second tumors developed, for which the 7-year cumulative incidence rate was 2.75%; 64 were solid tumors, and 17 were hematologic malignancies. In multivariate analysis, age was the only risk factor for the second development of cancer. Epidemiologic analysis allowed a comparison of this NHL group with the general population. Considering all tumors, no excess of second cancer was observed. In the male population, however, there was an excess of lung cancer (standardized incidence ratio [SIR], 2.45; P< .001) and myelodysplastic syndrome/acute myelocytic leukemia (MDS/AML) (SIR, 5.65; P= .006), and in the female population there was an excess of MDS/AML (SIR, 19.9; P< .001). With a long follow-up, the ACVBP regimen was highly effective for the treatment of aggressive NHL. Increases occurred in secondary MDS/AML and in lung cancer among men.

The survival of patients with aggressive non-Hodgkin lymphoma (NHL) is increasing, but the incidence of secondary cancer and late toxicity is poorly defined for those treated with cyclophosphamide-hydroxydaunomycin/doxorubicin-Oncovin-prednisone (CHOP)–like chemotherapy. From February 1984 to January 1998, 2837 patients with aggressive NHL received the control-arm chemotherapy adriamycin-cyclophosphamide-vindesine-bleomycin-prednisone (ACVBP) in 3 consecutive Groupe d'Etude des Lymphomes de l'Adulte (GELA) studies. With a median follow-up time of 74 months, the 5-year overall and event-free survival rates were 60% and 52%. Two hundred two occurrences of nonneoplastic late toxicity were reported, resulting in a 5.35% cumulative probability of incidence at 7 years. Eighty-one second tumors developed, for which the 7-year cumulative incidence rate was 2.75%; 64 were solid tumors, and 17 were hematologic malignancies. In multivariate analysis, age was the only risk factor for the second development of cancer. Epidemiologic analysis allowed a comparison of this NHL group with the general population. Considering all tumors, no excess of second cancer was observed. In the male population, however, there was an excess of lung cancer (standardized incidence ratio [SIR], 2.45; P < .001) and myelodysplastic syndrome/acute myelocytic leukemia (MDS/AML) (SIR, 5.65; P = .006), and in the female population there was an excess of MDS/AML (SIR, 19.9; P < .001). With a long follow-up, the ACVBP regimen was highly effective for the treatment of aggressive NHL. Increases occurred in secondary MDS/AML and in lung cancer among men.

We conducted a randomized trial to compare the intensive conventional chemotherapy regimen ACVBP (doxorubicin, cyclophosphamide, vindesine, bleomycin, prednisone) with standard CHOP (cyclophosphamide, doxorubicin, vincristine, and prednisone) in previously untreated patients with poor-risk aggressive lymphoma. Patients aged 61 to 69 years who had aggressive non-Hodgkin lymphoma with at least one prognostic factor of the age-adjusted international prognostic index (IPI) were included. ACVBP consisted of an induction phase of intensified chemotherapy and central nervous system (CNS) prophylaxis followed by a sequential consolidation phase. Of the 708 patients registered for the study, 635 were eligible. The rate of complete response was 58% in the ACVBP group and 56% in the CHOP group (P = .5). Treatment-related death occurred in 13% of the ACVBP group and 7% of the CHOP group (P = .014). At 5 years, the event-free survival was 39% in the ACVBP group and 29% in the CHOP group (P = .005). The overall survival was significantly longer for patients treated with ACVBP, at 5 years it was 46% compared with 38% for patients treated with CHOP (P = .036). CNS progressions or relapses were more frequent in the CHOP group (P = .004). Despite higher toxicity, the ACVBP regimen, used as first-line treatment for patients with poor-risk aggressive lymphoma, is superior to standard CHOP with regard to both event-free survival and overall survival. (Blood. 2003;102:4284-4289)

We conducted a randomized trial to compare the intensive conventional chemotherapy regimen ACVBP (doxorubicin, cyclophosphamide, vindesine, bleomycin, prednisone) with standard CHOP (cyclophosphamide, doxorubicin, vincristine, and prednisone) in previously untreated patients with poor-risk aggressive lymphoma. Patients aged 61 to 69 years who had aggressive non-Hodgkin lymphoma with at least one prognostic factor of the age-adjusted international prognostic index (IPI) were included. ACVBP consisted of an induction phase of intensified chemotherapy and central nervous system (CNS) prophylaxis followed by a sequential consolidation phase. Of the 708 patients registered for the study, 635 were eligible. The rate of complete response was 58% in the ACVBP group and 56% in the CHOP group (P= .5). Treatment-related death occurred in 13% of the ACVBP group and 7% of the CHOP group (P= .014). At 5 years, the event-free survival was 39% in the ACVBP group and 29% in the CHOP group (P= .005). The overall survival was significantly longer for patients treated with ACVBP, at 5 years it was 46% compared with 38% for patients treated with CHOP (P= .036). CNS progressions or relapses were more frequent in the CHOP group (P= .004). Despite higher toxicity, the ACVBP regimen, used as first-line treatment for patients with poor-risk aggressive lymphoma, is superior to standard CHOP with regard to both event-free survival and overall survival. (Blood. 2003;102:4284-4289)

Hyperuricemia and tumor lysis syndrome (TLS) are serious complications that can occur during chemotherapy for hematologic malignancies, even if standard management procedures, including administration of allopurinol, are undertaken. Rasburicase, a recombinant urate oxidase that converts uric acid (UA) into the soluble compound allantoin, has been shown to control hyperuricemia faster and more reliably than allopurinol.1 A compassionate use trial, running from January 1999 to December 2001, provided access to rasburicase for patients in nine countries who were at risk for TLS during the initiation of chemotherapy. Of the 280 patients enrolled in the study, 278 received rasburicase and were included in the analysis. A total of 166 pediatric patients who had leukemia (~ 74%), lymphoma (~ 24%), or solid tumors (~ 3%) were treated with rasburicase. One hundred twelve adults with either leukemia (68%) or lymphoma (30%) also were treated. Rasburicase (0.20 mg/kg) was administered intravenously once a day for 1 to 7 days, at the investigator's discretion. Two doses daily could be administered during the first 3 days. A response was defined as a reduction in UA level or maintenance of a UA level less than 7.5 mg/dL (or less than 6.5 mg/dL, for children age &lt; 13 years). UA levels at 24–48 hours after administration of the last dose of rasburicase were available for 122 pediatric patients and 97 adult patients. The mean UA level in 29 hyperuricemic children decreased from 15.1 mg/dL to 0.4 mg/dL, whereas in 27 hyperuricemic adults, the mean level decreased from 14.2 mg/dL to 0.5 mg/dL. Prophylactic administration of rasburicase to prevent TLS during chemotherapy reduced UA levels from a mean of 4.4 mg/dL to 0.8 mg/dL in 93 nonhyperuricemic children and from 4.8 mg/dL to 0.4 mg/dL in 70 nonhyperuricemic adults (for all reductions in UA levels, P &lt; 0.001). The response rate was 100%. Rasburicase was very well tolerated. Serious adverse events related to rasburicase were observed in one patient. The results of the current study confirm that rasburicase is safe and highly effective in the prevention and treatment of chemotherapy-induced hyperuricemia in both children and adults. Cancer 2003;98:1048–54. © 2003 American Cancer Society. DOI 10.1002/cncr.11612

Peripheral T-cell lymphomas (PTCL) have been generally reported to have a worse prognosis than B-cell lymphomas (BCL). Because of their heterogeneity and scarcity, the outcomes of the different histological subtypes have not been compared. From October 1987 to March 1993, 1,883 patients with diffuse aggressive non-Hodgkin's lymphomas (NHL) included in the LNH87 protocol could be assessed for both morphology and immunophenotyping. Among them, 288 (15%) had PTCL and 1,595 (85%) had BCL. According to the Kiel classification, most PTCL were classified as angioimmunoblastic (AIL; 23%), pleomorphic medium and large T-cell (PML; 49%), or anaplastic large cell (ALCL; 20%) lymphomas. Comparing PTCL with BCL patients, the former had more disseminated disease (78% v 58%), B symptoms (57% v40%), bone marrow involvement (31% v 17%), skin involvement (21% v 4%), and increased β2-microglobulin (50% v 34%), whereas BCL patients had more bulky disease (41% v 26%). According to the International Prognostic Index (IPI), PTCL and BCL scores were, respectively: 0 factors, 13% and 15%; 1 factor, 17% and 22%; 2 factors, 24% and 25%; ≥3 factors, 45% and 37% (P = .09). For BCL and PTCL, respectively, complete remission rates were 63% and 54% (P = .004); the 5-year overall survival (OS) rates were 53% and 41% (P = .0004) and event-free survival (EFS) rates were 42% and 33% (P < .0001). Comparison of the different histological subtypes of lymphoma showed that the 5-year OS rate for T-ALCL (64%) was superior to those of other PTCL (35%) as well as diffuse large B-cell (53%) NHL. When multivariate analysis was applied using the IPI score as one factor, nonanaplastic PTCL remained an independent parameter (P = .0004). Although the poor prognosis of non-ALCL PTCL could be due in part to the presence of adverse prognostic factors at diagnosis, this study shows that the T-cell phenotype is an independent significant factor, which should be incorporated into the definition of prognostic groups.

A multi-center, open trial was conducted to determine the maximal tolerable dose of carboplatin in combination with conventional doses of both etoposide and an anthracycline for the treatment of previously untreated small cell lung cancer (SCLC) patients. Ninety-five patients [48 with limited disease (LD) and 47 with extensive disease (ED)¦ received a total of 376 courses of treatment. Carboplatin was given on day 1 at a dose of 250 mg m−2in 60 courses, 300 mg m−2in 69, 330 mg m−2in 236 and 350 mg m-2in 11, with 120 mg m−2etoposide on days 1, 3 and 5 and either 40 mg m-2adriamycin or 60 mg m−2epirubicin on day 1. Epirubicin was not administered before carboplatin reached the dose of 330 mg m−2. Courses were repeated every 3 weeks. The main toxicity was hematological. The first course of therapy induced a dose-dependent decrease of leucocyte, neutrophil and platelet counts: all patients, except one, who received 350 mg m−2carboplatin had a neutropenia below 200 μ−1and a thrombopenia below 100,000 μl−1. Three patients died of septicemia. Other toxicities were well tolerated. After three courses, patients were re-staged by performing a mandatory fiberoptic bronchoscopy and a thoracic computed axial tomography (CAT). The overall objective response rate for 86 evaluable patients was 91% (98% for LD) with 21% complete remissions (30% for LD). All 23 hepatic and six brain sites, evaluable after chemotherapy alone, responded. This new combination, in which the recommended dose of carboplatin is 330 mg m−2, should be evaluated in a prospective study for SCLC.

Briere: St. Louis Hospital, Paris, France: Employment. Salles:Celgene Corporation; Roche: Speakers Bureau; Calistoga Pharmaceuticals, Inc.; Celgene Corporation; Genentech, Inc.; Janssen Pharmaceutica Products, L.P.; Roche: Consultancy; Celgene Corporation; Roche and Gilead Sciences: Research Funding.

Introduction

Drach: Janssen: Consultancy, Honoraria; Takeda: Consultancy, Honoraria. Off Label Use: The proteasome inhibitor bortezomib is approved in the US for the treatment of multiple myeloma and for the treatment of patients with mantle cell lymphoma who have received at least one prior therapy. In the present study, bortezomib is being investigated in combination with immunochemotherapy for previously untreated patients with mantle cell lymphoma, an indication for which it is currently not approved.. Belch:Janssen: Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees, Speakers Bureau; Celgene: Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees, Speakers Bureau. Farber:Alexion: Equity Ownership, Speakers Bureau; Genentech: Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees, Speakers Bureau; Gilead: Speakers Bureau; Janssen/Pharmacyclics: Speakers Bureau; Seattle Genetics: Speakers Bureau; Leukemia Lymphoma Society NJ Chapter: Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees; Celgene: Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees, Speakers Bureau. Bosly:Amgen: Speakers Bureau; Roche: Consultancy, Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees, Speakers Bureau. Zaucha:Roche: Honoraria; Amgen: Honoraria; Janssen: Honoraria; Celgene: Honoraria; Takeda: Honoraria. Robak:Janssen Research & Development: Consultancy, Research Funding. Pei:Janssen: Employment. Rooney:Janssen: Employment; Johnson & Johnson: Equity Ownership. van de Velde:Janssen: Employment; Johnson & Johnson: Equity Ownership. Cavalli:Mundipharma: Research Funding; Pfizer: Research Funding; Roche: Research Funding; Takeda: Consultancy; Novartis: Consultancy.

Background:

Patients (pts) with relapsed diffuse large B-cell lymphoma (DLBCL) ineligible for autologous stem cell transplant (ASCT) or relapsing after ASCT have a poor prognosis and limited therapeutic options. New treatment options are needed for these pts. Ofatumumab is a human monoclonal antibody that targets a membrane-proximal epitope comprising both the large loop and small loop of CD20, and has shown effective lysis of chemotherapy-refractory DLBCL cells in vitro (Teeling et al. Blood 2004; Cillessen et al. Blood 2007; abstract 2346). We report the first results from an open-label, single-arm, international Phase II trial that evaluated ofatumumab monotherapy in relapsed or progressive DLBCL.Pts (age ≥18 years) with relapsed or progressive CD20+ DLBCL ineligible for ASCT or with relapsed or progressive disease after ASCT were enrolled between December 2007 and August 2009 (N=81). Relapsed or progressive disease was defined as relapse after a complete remission (CR) or disease progression after partial remission (PR). Pts received 8 weekly infusions of ofatumumab (dose 1, 300 mg; doses 2–8, 1000 mg). The primary endpoint was overall response rate (ORR) evaluated during the 6 months from the start of treatment, as assessed by an Independent Endpoint Review Committee according to the revised response criteria (Cheson et al. J Clin Oncol 2007). Secondary endpoints included duration of response, progression-free survival (PFS), overall survival (OS) and safety.Baseline characteristics are shown in the Table. Pts were heavily pretreated (median 3 prior systemic therapies), and 32% of pts did not respond to their last prior therapy. Nearly all pts (96%) had received prior rituximab-containing treatment; 54% had received 2 or more courses of prior rituximab therapy (Table). Overall, 58% of pts completed all 8 infusions of ofatumumab, 65% received at least 6 infusions, and 81% received at least 4 infusions. The primary reason for treatment discontinuation was disease progression. The ORR (95% CI) was 11% (4–18%), including 3 CRs (4%) and 6 PRs (7%). Of these 9 responding pts, 8 had responded to their last systemic therapy. The median duration of response (95% CI) was 6.9 months (5.3–6.9) and median PFS (95% CI) was 2.5 months (2.3–2.9). Infusion-related events occurred in 59% of pts, primarily occurred during infusion 1 (40% of pts) and infusion 2 (22%), and subsided during subsequent infusions; these events were predominantly grade 1–2 in severity (96% of pts). The most common (>10% of pts) adverse events (AEs; any grade) were diarrhea (17%), fatigue (15%), peripheral edema (15%), neutropenia (14%), abdominal pain (12%), constipation (12%), nausea (12%), pyrexia (11%), anemia (11%) and leukopenia (11%). Of these, ≥ grade 3 events included neutropenia (10%), leukopenia (6%), anemia (5%) and fatigue (1%). Grade 3 or greater thrombocytopenia and febrile neutropenia were reported in 6% and 4% of pts, respectively. The most common infectious events were upper respiratory tract infections (7% of pts), all of which were grade 1–2 events. In total, 13 pts died during the study; 3 pts died during the treatment period and 10 pts died during post-treatment follow up (until 24 months from study start). Deaths were due to disease progression (n=10), sepsis (n=1), circulatory collapse (no further details; n=1) and multi-organ failure (n=1).Single-agent ofatumumab was well tolerated with an ORR of 11% in heavily pretreated pts with relapsed or progressive DLBCL, nearly all of whom had received prior rituximab therapy. Response to last systemic treatment appeared to influence response to ofatumumab in this pt population. Further studies of ofatumumab in combination with chemotherapy in relapsed DLBCL are currently underway.Off Label Use: Ofatumumab is an investigational anti-CD20 monoclonal antibody, currently under development for the treatment of B-cell malignancies (chronic lymphocytic leukemia, diffuse large B-cell lymphoma, Waldenstroms macroglobulinemia and follicular lymphoma) as well as autoimmune diseases (rheumatoid arthritis and multiple sclerosis). Davies:GlaxoSmithKline: Consultancy, Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees. Padmanabhan:GlaxoSmithKline: Consultancy, Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees, Research Funding. Gupta:GlaxoSmithKline: Employment. Lin:GlaxoSmithKline: Consultancy, Employment. Davis:GlaxoSmithKline: Consultancy, Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees. Losic:Genmab A/S: Employment, Equity Ownership. Lisby:Genmab A/S: Employment. Radford:GlaxoSmithKline: Equity Ownership; Genmab: Consultancy, Honoraria.

Abstract 3955

Zucca: Mundipharma: Research Support; Johnson & Johnson: Research Support; Roche: Research Support.

Abstract 3939

In 1998, the GELA (Groupe d’Etude des Lymphomes de l’Adulte) ran a randomized study to evaluate the benefit of the addition of rituximab to CHOP chemotherapy in elderly patients (60 to 80 years old) with diffuse large B-cell lymphoma. Early results were presented at ASH 2000 and published in NEJM (2002;346:235) with a median follow-up of 1 and 2 years, respectively. An update of these results is presented with a median follow-up of 5 years. 399 patients were included, 197 in the CHOP group and 202 in the R-CHOP group, 60% had a high risk disease according to the IPI score. Characteristics of the patients did not differ between both groups. Rituximab was given at 375 mg/m² the same day of CHOP for 8 cycles. Primary endpoint was event-free survival with events defined as progressive disease (PD) during or after treatment, relapse, institution of a new treatment, and death whatever the cause. Secondary endpoints were overall survival (OS) and progression-free survival (PFS) with progression defined as PD, relapse, or death from lymphoma or lymphoma treatment. Response rates for R-CHOP and CHOP were: CR/CRu 75% and 63%, PD 9% and 22%, and death during treatment 6% and 6%, respectively (P=.005), as previously published. With a median follow-up of 5 years, 106 events (52.5% of the patients) were observed in R-CHOP arm and 142 (72%) in CHOP arm: 19% and 31% PD or death during treatment, 5.5% and 4.5% institution of a new treatment, 20% and 34% relapses, 8% and 2.5% death in CR for R-CHOP and CHOP, respectively. Survival outcomes are presented in the table. Table 1. 5-year survivals R-CHOP CHOP P value Median event-free survival 3.8 y 1.1 y =0.00002 5-year event-free survival 47% 29% Median progression-free survival Not reached 1 y <0.00001 5-year progression-free survival 54% 30% Median overall survival Not reached 3.1 y =0.0073 5-year overall survival 58% 45% Progression-free survival is shown in the figure; PFS does not included 19 patients who died in CR from causes not related to lymphoma or its treatment, 5 in CHOP arm and 14 in R-CHOP arm. It better reflects the long term effect of treatment on the disease. No severe late toxicity was observed in R-CHOP treated patients and deaths not related to lymphoma did not show any pattern. In conclusion, long term results continue to show a major benefit for the addition of rituximab to CHOP in the treatment of patients with DLBCL. This improvement increases with time.

In 1998, the GELA (Groupe d'Etude des Lymphomes de l'Adulte) ran a randomized study to evaluate the benefit of the addition of rituximab to CHOP chemotherapy in elderly patients (60 to 80 years old) with diffuse large B-cell lymphoma. Early results were presented at ASH 2000 and published in NEJM ( 2002; 346:235) with a median follow-up of 1 and 2 years, respectively. An update of these results is presented with a median follow-up of 5 years. 399 patients were included, 197 in the CHOP group and 202 in the R-CHOP group, 60% had a high risk disease according to the IPI score. Characteristics of the patients did not differ between both groups. Rituximab was given at 375 mg/m² the same day of CHOP for 8 cycles. Primary endpoint was event-free survival with events defined as progressive disease (PD) during or after treatment, relapse, institution of a new treatment, and death whatever the cause. Secondary endpoints were overall survival (OS) and progression-free survival (PFS) with progression defined as PD, relapse, or death from lymphoma or lymphoma treatment. Response rates for R-CHOP and CHOP were: CR/CRu 75% and 63%, PD 9% and 22%, and death during treatment 6% and 6%, respectively (P=.005), as previously published. With a median follow-up of 5 years, 106 events (52.5% of the patients) were observed in R-CHOP arm and 142 (72%) in CHOP arm: 19% and 31% PD or death during treatment, 5.5% and 4.5% institution of a new treatment, 20% and 34% relapses, 8% and 2.5% death in CR for R-CHOP and CHOP, respectively. Survival outcomes are presented in the table.