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The T‐cell Lymphoma Project is an international registry prospective study that enrolled patients with newly diagnosed peripheral T‐cell and NK‐cell lymphomas (PTCL). The main objective was to define the clinical features and outcomes, establishing a robust benchmark for future clinical trials. Seventy‐four institutions from 14 countries in North America, South America, Europe, and Asia collected data on patients diagnosed and treated at their respective centers between September 2006 and February 2018. Among 1553 PTCL patients, 131 (8.4% of the total cohort) were confirmed to have anaplastic large cell lymphoma ‐ kinase positive (ALCL, ALK+). The median age of the patients was 39 years (18–84). Sixty‐five patients (66%) had advanced‐stage disease, although majority (45 patients, 54%) had a low‐risk International Prognostic Index (IPI) score (0–1). Of 97 patients treated with chemotherapy, 97% received anthracycline‐containing regimens. The overall response rate was 81%, with 69 patients (70%) achieving complete remission. Estimated OS and PFS at 3 years were 77% (95% CI: 54%–99%) and 68% (95% CI: 46%–90%), respectively, and at 5 years were very similar, 77% of OS (95% CI: 62%–92%) and 64% of PFS (95% CI: 34%–94%). Multivariate analysis for PFS showed advanced stage (hazard ratios [HR]: 4.72, 95% CI: 1.43–23.9, p = 0.015), elevated lactate dehidrogenade (LDH) (HR 4.85; 95% CI: 1.73–13.60, p = 0.001), and Eastern Cooperative Oncology Group Performance Status scale (ECOG‐PS) ≥2 (HR: 5.25; 95% CI: 1.68–16.4, p = 0.024). For OS, elevated LDH (HR: 3.77; 95% CI: 1.98–14.17, p = 0.014) and ECOG‐PS ≥2 (HR: 4.59; 95% CI: 1.46–14.39, p = 0.004) were identified. In summary, although the outcome of ALK+ ALCL is superior to that of other PTCLs, it remains sufficiently favorable, given the young median age of the patients. Our results confirm the usefulness of both IPI and Prognostic Index for T‐cell Lymphoma (PIT) in identifying groups of patients with different outcomes. Clinical Trials ID: NCT01142674. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This report examined the benefits and risks of palbociclib plus endocrine therapy (ET) in men with hormone receptor‒positive (HR+)/human epidermal growth factor receptor 2−negative (HER2−) metastatic breast cancer (MBC). Palbociclib was evaluated using three independent data sources: real‐world data from pharmacy and medical claims, a de‐identified real‐world data source derived from electronic health records (EHRs), and a global safety database. From medical and pharmacy records, 1,139 men with MBC were identified; in the first‐line setting, median duration of treatment was longer with palbociclib plus ET (n = 37, 8.5 months, 95% confidence interval (CI), 4.4‒13.0) than ET alone (n = 214, 4.3 months, 95% CI, 3.0‒5.7) and specifically, was longer with palbociclib plus letrozole (n = 26, 9.4 months, 95% CI, 4.4‒14.0) than letrozole alone (n = 63, 3.0 months, 95% CI, 1.8‒4.8). In the EHR‐derived database, 59 men received treatment for MBC; real‐world response across all lines of therapy in the metastatic setting was reported in 4 of 12 patients (33.3%) in the palbociclib plus ET group vs. 1 of 8 (12.5%) patients in the ET group. Review of the global safety database did not identify any new safety signals in palbociclib‐treated men. Real‐world data indicated that men with MBC benefit from palbociclib plus ET, with a safety profile consistent with previous observations in women with MBC. Collective data on palbociclib in women and men in this report, including clinical trial data, real‐world data, and a well‐established risk/benefit profile, led to US approval of an expansion of the palbociclib indication to include men with MBC. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: The role of autologous stem cell transplantation (ASCT) in the first complete remission (CR1) of peripheral T-cell lymphomas (PTCLs) is not well defined. This study analyzed the impact of ASCT on the clinical outcomes of patients with newly diagnosed PTCL in CR1.Methods: Patients with newly diagnosed, histologically confirmed, aggressive PTCL were prospectively enrolled into the Comprehensive Oncology Measures for Peripheral T-Cell Lymphoma Treatment (COMPLETE) study, and those in CR1 were included in this analysis.Results: Two hundred thirteen patients with PTCL achieved CR1, and 119 patients with nodal PTCL, defined as anaplastic lymphoma kinase-negative anaplastic large cell lymphoma, angioimmunoblastic T-cell lymphoma (AITL), or PTCL not otherwise specified, were identified. Eighty-three patients did not undergo ASCT, whereas 36 underwent consolidative ASCT in CR1. At the median follow-up of 2.8 years, the median overall survival was not reached for the entire cohort of patients who underwent ASCT, whereas it was 57.6 months for those not receiving ASCT (P = .06). ASCT was associated with superior survival for patients with advanced-stage disease or intermediate-to-high International Prognostic Index scores. ASCT significantly improved overall and progression-free survival for patients with AITL but not for patients with other PTCL subtypes. In a multivariable analysis, ASCT was independently associated with improved survival (hazard ratio, 0.37; 95% confidence interval, 0.15-0.89).Conclusions: This is the first large prospective cohort study directly comparing the survival outcomes of patients with nodal PTCL in CR1 with or without consolidative ASCT. ASCT may provide a benefit in specific clinical scenarios, but the broader applicability of this strategy should be determined in prospective, randomized trials. These results provide a platform for designing future studies of previously untreated PTCL. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Long-term survival in patients with aggressive peripheral T-cell lymphoma (PTCL) is generally poor, and there currently is no clear consensus regarding the initial therapy used for these diseases. Herein, the authors analyzed treatment patterns and outcomes in a prospectively collected cohort of patients with a new diagnosis of nodal PTCL in the United States.Methods: Comprehensive Oncology Measures for Peripheral T-cell Lymphoma Treatment (COMPLETE) is a prospective multicenter cohort study designed to identify the most common prevailing treatment patterns used for patients newly diagnosed with PTCL in the United States. Patients with nodal PTCL and completed records regarding baseline characteristics and initial therapy were included in this analysis. All statistical tests were 2-sided.Results: Of a total of 499 patients enrolled, 256 (51.3%) had nodal PTCL and completed treatment records. As initial therapy, patients received doxorubicin-containing regimens (41.8%), regimens containing doxorubicin plus etoposide (20.9%), other etoposide regimens (15.8%), other single-agent or combination regimens (19.2%), and gemcitabine-containing regimens (2.1%). Survival was found to be statistically significantly longer for patients who received doxorubicin (log-rank P = .03). After controlling for disease histology and International Prognostic Index, results demonstrated a trend toward significance in mortality reduction in patients who received doxorubicin compared with those who did not (hazard ratio, 0.71; 95% confidence interval, 0.48-1.05 [P = .09]).Conclusions: To the authors' knowledge, there is no clear standard of care in the treatment of patients with PTCL in the United States. Although efforts to improve frontline treatments are necessary, anthracyclines remain an important component of initial therapy for curative intent. Cancer 2017;123:1174-1183. © 2016 American Cancer Society. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Peripheral T-cell lymphomas ( PTCL) have suboptimal outcomes using conventional CHOP (cyclophosphamide, doxorubicin, vincristine, prednisone) chemotherapy. The anti-folate pralatrexate, the first drug approved for patients with relapsed/refractory PTCL, provided a rationale to incorporate it into the front-line setting. This phase 2 study evaluated a novel front-line combination whereby cyclophosphamide, etoposide, vincristine and prednisone ( CEOP) alternated with pralatrexate ( CEOP-P) in PTCL. Patients achieving a complete or partial remission ( CR/ PR) were eligible for consolidative stem cell transplantation ( SCT) after 4 cycles. Thirty-three stage II- IV PTCL patients were treated: 21 PTCL-not otherwise specified (64%), 8 angioimmunoblastic T cell lymphoma (24%) and 4 anaplastic large cell lymphoma (12%). The majority (61%) had stage IV disease and 46% were International Prognostic Index high/intermediate or high risk. Grade 3-4 toxicities included anaemia (27%), thrombocytopenia (12%), febrile neutropenia (18%), mucositis (18%), sepsis (15%), increased creatinine (12%) and liver transaminases (12%). Seventeen patients (52%) achieved a CR. The 2-year progression-free survival and overall survial, were 39% (95% confidence interval 21-57) and 60% (95% confidence interval 39-76), respectively. Fifteen patients (45%) (12 CR) received SCT and all remained in CR at a median follow-up of 21·5 months. CEOP-P did not improve outcomes compared to historical data using CHOP. Defining optimal front line therapy in PTCL continues to be a challenge and an unmet need. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The article discusses a study which examined progressive multifocal leucoencephalopathy (PML) in chronic lymphocytic leukaemia (CLL) patients treated with ibrutinib, a small molecule irreversible inhibitor of Bruton tyrosine kinase (BTK). PML is described as a rare infection of the central nervous system (CNS). Also mentioned are therapeutic uses of ibrutinib and the clinical outcomes for patients with ibrutinib-associated PML.

The article focuses on a research which investigates association between body mass index (BMI) and relative dose-intensity with outcomes of febrile neutropenia and treatment-related mortality in diffuse large B-cell lymphoma (DLBCL) patients treated with rituximab, doxorubicin and prednisone (RCHOP) as of December 2014. Topics discussed include significant differences in the average relative doseintensities, treatment-related mortality and toxicities among BMI groups.

BACKGROUND Brentuximab vedotin (BV) is an anti-CD30 monoclonal antibody-drug conjugate that was approved in 2011 for the treatment of patients with anaplastic large cell and Hodgkin lymphomas. The product label indicates that 3 patients who were treated with BV developed progressive multifocal leukoencephalopathy (PML), a frequently fatal JC virus-induced central nervous system infection. Prior immunosuppressive therapy and compromised immune systems were postulated risk factors. In the current study, the authors reported 5 patients who developed BV-associated PML, including 2 immunocompetent patients. METHODS Case information was obtained from clinicians (4 patients) or a US Food and Drug Administration database (1 patient). RESULTS All 5 patients had lymphoid malignancies. Two patients with cutaneous T-cell lymphomas had not previously received chemotherapy. PML developed after a median of 3 BV doses (range, 2 doses-6 doses) and within a median of 7 weeks after BV initiation (range, 3 weeks-34 weeks). Presenting findings included aphasia, dysarthria, confusion, hemiparesis, and gait dysfunction; JC virus in the cerebrospinal fluid (2 patients) or central nervous system biopsy (3 patients); and brain magnetic resonance imaging scans with white matter abnormalities (5 patients). Four patients died at a median of 8 weeks (range, 6 weeks-16 weeks) after PML diagnosis. The sole survivor developed immune reconstitution inflammatory syndrome. CONCLUSIONS PML can develop after a few BV doses and within weeks of BV initiation. Clinicians should be aware of this syndrome, particularly when neurologic changes develop after the initiation of BV treatment. The decision to administer BV to patients with indolent cutaneous lymphomas should be based on consideration of risk-benefit profiles and of alternative options. Cancer 2014;120:2464-2471. © 2014 American Cancer Society. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The article focuses on racial difference in management of cytogenetic profiles for patients associated with multiple myeloma (MM). Topics include detection of deleted chromosome 13q by routine karyotype along with fluorescent in situ hybridization (FISH); examination of chromosomal abnormalities among MM patients through cytogenetic examination; observation of racial difference in metaphase cytogenetic of patients; and illustration of genetic differences influence over plasma cell malignancy.

A response from authors of the article "Progressive multifocal leukoencephalopathy associated with brentuximab vedotin therapy: a report of 5 cases from the Southern Network on Adverse Reactions (SONAR) project" in 2014 issue of the periodical is presented.