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Purpose Selection bias in clinical trials has consequences for scientific validity and applicability of study results to the general population. There is concern that patients with clinically aggressive disease may not have enrolled in recent diffuse large B-cell lymphoma (DLBCL) trials due to the consent process and the inability to delay therapy for eligibility evaluation. We have examined the diagnosis-to-treatment interval (DTI) and its association with clinical factors and outcome in a clinic-based observational cohort of patients with DLBCL from the United States. Validation of results was performed in an independent, clinical trial-based cohort from Europe. Patients and Methods Patients were prospectively enrolled in the University of Iowa and Mayo Clinic Specialized Programs of Research Excellence Molecular Epidemiology Resource (MER; N = 986) or the Lymphoma Study Association (LYSA) LNH-2003 clinical trials program (N = 1,444). All patients received anthracycline-based immunochemotherapy at initial diagnosis. Associations of DTI with clinical factors and outcome were examined. Outcome was assessed using event-free survival at 24 months from diagnosis (EFS24). Results Median (range) DTI was 15 days (0 to 155 days in the MER and 23 days (0 to 215 days) in LYSA. Shorter DTI was strongly associated with adverse clinical factors, including elevated lactate dehydrogenase levels, poor performance status, B symptoms, and higher International Prognostic Index in both cohorts (all P < .001). Longer DTI was associated with improved EFS24 in both the MER (per-week odds ratio, 0.80; 95% CI, 0.74 to .0.87) and LYSA (per-week odds ratio, 0.90; 95% CI, 0.86 to 0.94); association with EFS24 remained significant after adjustment for International Prognostic Index. Conclusion DTI is strongly associated with prognostic clinical factors and outcome in newly diagnosed DLBCL. DTI should be reported in all clinical trials of newly diagnosed DLBCL and future trials should take steps to avoid selection bias due to treatment delay.

Standard conditioning regimens for autologous stem cell transplantation (ASCT) are often not tolerated by elderly patients, on one hand. Single high-dose melphalan, on the other hand, has been shown to be safe and active as a pretransplant preparative regimen in elderly patients. Y90 -Ibritumomab tiuxetan (Y90 -IT) is well tolerated and feasible in the transplantation setting. We therefore investigated the combination of high-dose melphalan and Y90 -IT as a conditioning regimen for patients ≥65 years of age. Patients with relapsed or resistant CD20-positive lymphoma in remission after salvage chemotherapy could be enrolled. High-dose therapy consisted of standard dose Y90 -IT (0.4-mCi/kg body weight) followed by melphalan at escalating doses (100, 140, 170 and 200 mg/m2 ) and ASCT. The primary objective was to identify the maximum tolerated dose; secondary end points were complete response (CR) rate 100 days after transplantation and toxicity. Twenty patients (median age 72 years) were included. No DLT occurred at any dose level. Thirteen patients completed the treatment, 11 were evaluable for response. Seven patients did not complete treatment because of mobilization failure (n = 3), progressive disease (n = 2), worsening of cardiac function (n = 1), and grade 3 dyspnea (n = 1). Seven patients achieved a CR/complete remission/unconfirmed (CRu) and 2 had stable disease. Five out of 7 responding patients were still alive more than 3 years after transplantation. The 2 patients with SD had a long-term survival of 3 and 5 years, respectively. Nonhematological grade 3 or higher treatment related adverse events (AEs) were infection (n = 6), including 2 cases of febrile neutropenia, diarrhea (n = 3), mucositis, anorexia, viral hepatitis, hypokalemia, dehydration, and multiorgan failure (n = 1 for each). The combination of Y90 -IT and high-dose melphalan is feasible before ASCT for elderly patients, with promising activity and manageable toxicity.

Single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) in FCγ-receptor genes FCGR3A (rs396991) and FCGR2A (rs1801274) influence the affinity of the Fc portion of anti-CD20 immunoglobulin G1 monoclonal antibody. Their roles in diffuse large B-cell lymphoma (DLBCL) treated with rituximab in combination with anthracycline-based chemotherapy remain controversial. To address this question, we genotyped FCGR2A and FCGR3A SNPs in two prospective DLBCL cohorts from Lymphoma Study Association trials (N = 554) and Iowa/Mayo Specialized Program Of Research Excellence (N = 580). Correlations with treatment response and hematological toxicity were assessed in Lymphoma Study Association. Correlation with event-free survival (EFS) and overall survival (OS) was performed in both cohorts, followed by a meta-analysis to increase power. Our study shows the absence of correlation between these SNPs and treatment response. Grades 3 and 4 febrile neutropenia during treatment was more frequently observed in FCGR3A VV (39%) than VF (29%) and FF (32%) carriers (p = 0.04). Our analysis for EFS and OS shows that FCGR3A was not associated with outcome. In a meta-analysis using an ordinal model, FCGR2A (per R allele) was associated with a better EFS (hazard ratio = 0.87; 95%CI, 0.76-0.99; p = 0.04) and OS (hazard ratio = 0.86; 95%CI, 0.73-1.00; p = 0.05) which was not altered after adjustment for the International Prognostic Index. Overall, our data demonstrate that patients with DLBCL with the low-affinity FCγRIIA RR had an unexpectedly better outcome than FCγRIIA H carriers. Whether rituximab efficacy is improved in FCγRIIA RR patients due a clearance reduction or other functions of FCγRIIA in DLBCL should be investigated (clinicaltrials.gov identifiers: NCT00135499, NTC00135499 NCT00140595, NCT00144807, NCT00144755, NCT01087424, and NCT00301821). Copyright © 2016 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.

Introduction: MYD88 mutations, notably the recurrent gain-of-function L265P variant, are a distinguishing feature of Activated B-Cell like (ABC) Diffuse Large B Cell Lymphoma (DLBCL), leading to constitutive NFkB pathway activation. The frequency of MYD88 mutations in DLBCL and other hematologic malignancies is well described; however, there has not yet been a large-scale study of a MYD88 mutated patient cohort with additional Next Generation Sequencing (NGS), copy number variation (CNV), and gene expression data, in order to thoroughly characterize the associated genomic profiles of these patients. The aims of our study were to compare the L265P and non-L265P mutations in terms of pathological and genetic features, to better detail the genomic background associated with MYD88 mutations in order to delineate patients potentially sensitive to targeted therapies, and to define the prognostic value of MYD88 mutations according to different genomic contexts. Methods: A cohort of 361 DLBCL patients (94 MYD88 mutant and 267 MYD88 wild-type) was selected among the prospective, multicenter and randomized LNH-03B and LNH09-7B (NCT01195714) LYSA trials, as well as among patients sequenced at our institution as part of routine procedure. Cell of origin (COO) classification was obtained with HGU133+2.0 Affymetrix GeneChip arrays for 214 patients, with RT-MLPA for 77 patients1 and with Hans immunohistochemistry (IHC) method for 49 patients. All cases were submitted to next generation sequencing (NGS) focusing on 34 genes (Lymphopanel2) in order to analyze associated mutations and copy number variations (CNVs), as well as IHC, FISH, and clinical and prognostic analyses. Results: Importantly, we highlighted different genomic profiles for MYD88 L265P and MYD88 non-L265P mutant DLBCL, shedding light on their divergent backgrounds. Clustering analysis segregated subgroups according to associated genetic alterations among patients with either MYD88 L265P or non-L265P mutations. As such, clustering separated MYD88 L265P mutated DLBCL with associated PIM1 (52%), CD79B (52%), KMT2D (42%), and PRDM1 (32%) mutations, as well as MYD88 L265P mutated DLBCL with CDKN2A/B (67%/50%), PRDM1 (57%) and TNFAIP3 (52%) CNVs. We showed that associated CD79B and MYD88 L265P mutations act synergistically to increase NFkB pathway activation, although the majority of ABC MYD88 L265P mutant cases harbor downstream NFkB alterations, which can potentially predict BTK inhibitor resistance. Of note, although the MYD88 L265P variant was not an independent prognostic factor in ABC DLBCL, associated CD79B mutations significantly improved the survival of MYD88 L265P mutant ABC DLBCL in our cohort both in OS (p=0.02) and PFS (p=0.01), whereas the association of CARD11 or TNFAIP3 alterations did not impact survival. Interestingly, MYD88 mutant DLBCL cases were significantly more likely to experience central nervous system (CNS) relapse than MYD88 WT cases (p=0.02), as were MYD88 L265P mutant cases specifically (p=0.03). This result still tended toward statistical significance when considering only ABC patients (7 of 11 ABC CNS-relapsing cases were MYD88 mutant, p=0.1) but would have to be confirmed in a larger cohort. Conclusions: This study highlights the relative heterogeneity of MYD88 mutant DLBCBL, adding to the field's knowledge of the distinct genetic backgrounds of these subgroups. Our data highlights the theranostic and prognostic relevance of examining MYD88 and associated genomic alterations, emphasizing the usefulness of genomic profiling to best stratify patients for targeted therapy. 1. Mareschal S, Ruminy P, Bagacean C, et al. Accurate Classification of Germinal Center B-Cell-Like/Activated B-Cell-Like Diffuse Large B-Cell Lymphoma Using a Simple and Rapid Reverse Transcriptase-Multiplex Ligation-Dependent Probe Amplification Assay: A CALYM Study. The Journal of molecular diagnostics : JMD. 2015;17(3):273-283. 2. Dubois S, Viailly P-J, Mareschal S, et al. Next Generation Sequencing in Diffuse Large B Cell Lymphoma Highlights Molecular Divergence and Therapeutic Opportunities: a LYSA Study. Clinical cancer research : an official journal of the American Association for Cancer Research. 2016;22(12):2919-2928. Disclosures Salles: Novartis: Consultancy, Honoraria; Mundipharma: Honoraria; Amgen: Consultancy, Honoraria; Celgene: Consultancy, Honoraria; Gilead: Honoraria, Research Funding; Janssen: Consultancy, Honoraria; Roche/Genentech: Consultancy, Honoraria, Research Funding.

We report here the long-term outcome of autologous stem cell transplant in peripheral T-cell lymphoma (PTCL). Forty-three consecutive patients with PTCL diagnosed between 2000 and 2011 were treated with high-dose chemotherapy (HDCT) and autologous stem cell transplant (ASCT) in our center. Diagnoses included PTCL-not otherwise specified (n = 19), anaplastic large cell lymphoma (n = 11), angioimmunoblastic T-cell lymphoma (n = 5), enteropathy-associated T-cell lymphoma (n = 5) and other rare subtypes (n = 3). Thirty-six patients with a median age of 50 years (range 22-65) were transplanted in first response and seven after relapse. After a median follow-up of 63 months, estimated overall survival at 12 years was 40%, progression-free survival at 12 years was 34% and event-free survival at 12 years was 30%. On univariate analysis, age less than 50 years and no B symptoms at diagnosis were significantly associated with prolonged overall and progression-free-survival. HDCT/ASCT for peripheral T-cell lymphoma can lead to long-term survival for patients responding to induction chemotherapy.

Purpose This prospective multicenter phase III study compared the efficacy and safety of a triple combination (bortezomib-thalidomide-dexamethasone [VTD]) versus a dual combination (thalidomide-dexamethasone [TD]) in patients with multiple myeloma (MM) progressing or relapsing after autologous stem-cell transplantation (ASCT). Patients and Methods Overall, 269 patients were randomly assigned to receive bortezomib (1.3 mg/m2 intravenous bolus) or no bortezomib for 1 year, in combination with thalidomide (200 mg per day orally) and dexamethasone (40 mg orally once a day on 4 days once every 3 weeks). Bortezomib was administered on days 1, 4, 8, and 11 with a 10-day rest period (day 12 to day 21) for eight cycles (6 months), and then on days 1, 8, 15, and 22 with a 20-day rest period (day 23 to day 42) for four cycles (6 months). Results Median time to progression (primary end point) was significantly longer with VTD than TD (19.5 v 13.8 months; hazard ratio, 0.59; 95% CI, 0.44 to 0.80; P = .001), the complete response plus near-complete response rate was higher (45% v 21%; P = .001), and the median duration of response was longer (17.9 v 13.4 months; P = .04). The 24-month survival rate was in favor of VTD (71% v 65%; P = .093). Grade 3 peripheral neuropathy was more frequent with VTD (29% v 12%; P = .001) as were the rates of grades 3 and 4 infection and thrombocytopenia. Conclusion VTD was more effective than TD in the treatment of patients with MM with progressive or relapsing disease post-ASCT but was associated with a higher incidence of grade 3 neurotoxicity.

UNLABELLED The purpose of our study was to update the safety and efficacy results of radioimmunotherapy in relapsed or resistant indolent or transformed non-Hodgkin lymphoma. METHODS More than 9 y ago, we treated 12 indolent and 4 transformed, relapsed or refractory lymphoma patients with a single administration of nonmyeloablative therapy with tositumomab and (131)I-tositumomab. The 16 patients had a mean of 3.1 (range, 1-6) previous chemotherapy and antibody treatments. RESULTS Six of 12 relapsed indolent lymphoma patients remain disease-free a mean of 9.8 y (range, 8.6-10.7 y) after radioimmunotherapy. Three of 4 transformed lymphoma patients progressed after radioimmunotherapy, and 1 patient had a partial response of 10 mo. CONCLUSION Optimal patient benefit might be obtained in indolent lymphoma when administering radioimmunotherapy up-front in combination with chemotherapy and rituximab treatment. However, these results show that radioimmunotherapy alone achieved long-lasting remissions in 6 of 12 (50%) indolent lymphoma patients in relapse after 1 or multiple chemotherapies.

In the 2005-01 trial, we have demonstrated that bortezomib-dexamethasone as induction therapy before autologous stem cell transplantation was superior to vincristine-adriamycin-dexamethasone. We conducted a post-hoc analysis to assess the prognostic impact of initial characteristics as well as response to therapy in patients enrolled in this study. Multivariate analysis showed that ISS stages 2 and 3 and achievement of response less than very good partial response (VGPR) both after induction therapy and after autologous stem cell transplantation were adverse prognostic factors for progression-free survival, the most important one being achievement of response less than VGPR after induction. Progression-free survival was significantly improved with bortezomib-dexamethasone induction therapy in patients with poor-risk cytogenetics and ISS stages 2 and 3 compared with vincristine-adriamycin-dexamethasone. In these 2 groups of patients, achievement of at least VGPR after induction was of major importance. This study is registered with EudraCT (https://eudract.ema.europa.eu; EUDRACT 2005-000537-38) and http://clinicaltrials.gov (NCT00200681).

There is very limited data on isolated systemic relapses of primary central nervous system lymphomas (PCNSL). We retrospectively reviewed the clinical characteristics and outcome of 10 patients with isolated systemic disease among 209 patients with PCNSL mainly treated with methotrexate-based chemotherapy (CT) with or without radiation therapy (RT). Isolated systemic relapse remained rare (4.8%, 10/209 patients). Median time from initial diagnosis to relapse was 33 months (range, 3–94). Sites of relapse were mostly extranodal. Three patients presented with early extra-cerebral (EC) relapse 3, 5 and 8 months from the beginning of initial treatment, respectively, and 7 patients had later relapses (range, 17–94 months). Treatment at relapse included surgery alone, RT alone, CT with or without radiotherapy, or CT with autologous stem cell transplantation (ASCT). Median overall survival (OS) after relapse was 15.5 months (range, 5.8–24.5) compared to 4.6 months (range, 3.6–6.5) for patients with central nervous system (CNS) relapse (p = 0.35). In conclusion, isolated systemic relapses exist but are infrequent. Early EC relapse suggests the presence of systemic disease undetectable by conventional evaluation at initial diagnosis. Patient follow-up must be prolonged because systemic relapse can occur as late as 10 years after initial diagnosis. Whether EC relapses of PCNSL have a better prognosis than CNS relapses needs to be assessed in a larger cohort. Copyright © 2010 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.

This trial was aimed to explore the efficacy of pegfilgrastim to accelerate neutrophil engraftment after stem cell autotransplant. Twenty patients with multiple myeloma and 20 with lymphoma received pegfilgrastim 6 mg on day +1. Forty cases treated with daily filgrastim starting at median day +7 (5-7), matched by age, sex, diagnosis, high-dose chemotherapy schedule, CD34 + cell-dose, and prior therapy lines, were used for comparison. Median time to neutrophil engraftment was 9.5 vs. 11 days for pegfilgrastim and filgrastim, respectively (p0.0001). Likewise, duration of neutropenia, intravenous antibiotic use, and hospitalization favored pegfilgrastim, while platelet engraftment, transfusion requirement, and fever duration were equivalent in both groups. No grade ≥ 3 toxicities were observed. Patients with lymphoma performed similarly to the entire cohort, while patients with myeloma showed faster neutrophil engraftment and shorter neutropenia but not shorter hospitalization and antibiotic use. The possibility of different outcomes for lymphoma and myeloma suggests that stratification by diagnosis may be useful in future phase III studies.

Radioimmunotherapies with Zevalin® (RIT-Z) showed encouraging results in patients with relapsed/refractory follicular lymphoma (FL), leading frequently to failure-free intervals longer than those achieved by the last previous therapy. We compared time-to-event variables obtained before and after RIT-Z in patients with relapsed FL, previously exposed to rituximab. All patients with relapsed non-transformed, non-refractory, non-rituximab-naïve FL who have been treated with RIT-Z in two different centres in Europe were included. Staging and response were assessed by contrast-enhanced CT in all patients; PET/CT was performed according to local availability. Event-free survival (EFS) and time to next treatment (TTNT) following the last previous therapy and after RIT-Z were compared. Pre-therapy characteristics were tested in univariate analyses for prediction of outcomes. A description of the patterns of relapse was also provided. Among 70 patients treated, only 16 fulfilled the inclusion criteria. They were treated with a median of 3 prior lines of chemo-immunotherapies, including a median of 2 rituximab-containing regimens; 6 patients had undergone myeloablative chemotherapy with autologous stem cell rescue (ASCT). Overall response rates were 10 (62%) CR/CRu, 3 (19%) PR and 3 (19%) PD; response rates were similar in patients with prior ASCT. After RIT-Z only few patients obtained EFS and TTNT longer than after the last previous therapy. All four patients receiving rituximab maintenance were without progression 12 months after RIT-Z. Relapses occurred in both previously and newly involved sites; a significant association was found between the number of pathologic sites involved prior to RIT-Z and subsequent TTNT. Despite the excellent response rate, the duration of response was shorter than the previous one confirming the known trend of relapses to occur earlier after subsequent treatments. Rituximab maintenance after RIT-Z showed encouraging results in terms of prolonging EFS, warranting further studies.

Salvage chemotherapy followed by autologous stem cell transplantation (ASCT) is the standard second-line treatment for relapsed and refractory diffuse large B-cell lymphoma (DLBCL). However, the strategy is less clear in patients who require third-line treatment. Updated outcomes of 203 patients who could not proceed to scheduled ASCT in the Collaborative Trial in Relapsed Aggressive Lymphoma (CORAL) are herein reviewed. In the intent-to-treat analysis, overall response rate to third-line chemotherapy was 39%, with 27% CR or CR unconfirmed, and 12% PR. Among the 203 patients, 64 (31.5%) were eventually transplanted (ASCT 56, allogeneic SCT 8). Median overall survival (OS) of the entire population was 4.4 months. OS was significantly improved in patients with lower tertiary International Prognostic Index (IPI), patients responding to third-line treatment and patients transplanted with a 1-year OS of 41.6% compared with 16.3% for the not transplanted (P

Purpose To evaluate the effect of single-agent rituximab given at the standard or a prolonged schedule in patients with newly diagnosed, or refractory or relapsed mantle cell lymphoma (MCL). Patients and Methods After induction treatment with the standard schedule (375 mg/m2 weekly × 4), patients who were responding or who had stable disease at week 12 from the start of treatment were randomly assigned to no further treatment (arm A) or prolonged rituximab administration (375 mg/m2) every 8 weeks for four times (arm B). Results The trial enrolled 104 patients. After induction, clinical response was 27% with 2% complete responses. Among patients with detectable t(11;14)-positive cells in blood and bone marrow at baseline, four of 20, and one of 14, respectively, became polymerase chain-reaction–negative after induction. Anemia was the only adverse predictor of response in the multivariate analysis. After a median follow-up of 29 months, response rate and duration of response were not significantly different between the two schedules in 61 randomly assigned patients. Median event-free survival (EFS) was 6 months in arm A versus 12 months in arm B; the difference was not significant (P = .1). Prolonged treatment seemed to improve EFS in the subgroup of pretreated patients (5 months in arm A v 11 months in arm B; P = .04). Thirteen percent of patients in arm A and 9% in arm B presented with grade 3 to 4 hematologic toxicity. Conclusion Single-agent rituximab is active in MCL, but the addition of four single doses at 8-week intervals does not seem to significantly improve response rate, duration of response, or EFS after treatment with the standard schedule.

Purpose Studies of diffuse large B-cell lymphoma (DLBCL) are typically evaluated by using a time-to-event approach with relapse, re-treatment, and death commonly used as the events. We evaluated the timing and type of events in newly diagnosed DLBCL and compared patient outcome with reference population data. Patients and Methods Patients with newly diagnosed DLBCL treated with immunochemotherapy were prospectively enrolled onto the University of Iowa/Mayo Clinic Specialized Program of Research Excellence Molecular Epidemiology Resource (MER) and the North Central Cancer Treatment Group NCCTG-N0489 clinical trial from 2002 to 2009. Patient outcomes were evaluated at diagnosis and in the subsets of patients achieving event-free status at 12 months (EFS12) and 24 months (EFS24) from diagnosis. Overall survival was compared with age- and sex-matched population data. Results were replicated in an external validation cohort from the Groupe d'Etude des Lymphomes de l'Adulte (GELA) Lymphome Non Hodgkinien 2003 (LNH2003) program and a registry based in Lyon, France. Results In all, 767 patients with newly diagnosed DLBCL who had a median age of 63 years were enrolled onto the MER and NCCTG studies. At a median follow-up of 60 months (range, 8 to 116 months), 299 patients had an event and 210 patients had died. Patients achieving EFS24 had an overall survival equivalent to that of the age- and sex-matched general population (standardized mortality ratio [SMR], 1.18; P = .25). This result was confirmed in 820 patients from the GELA study and registry in Lyon (SMR, 1.09; P = .71). Simulation studies showed that EFS24 has comparable power to continuous EFS when evaluating clinical trials in DLBCL. Conclusion Patients with DLBCL who achieve EFS24 have a subsequent overall survival equivalent to that of the age- and sex-matched general population. EFS24 will be useful in patient counseling and should be considered as an end point for future studies of newly diagnosed DLBCL.

The molecular heterogeneity of diffuse large B-cell lymphoma (DLBCL) has been highlighted by gene expression profiling (GEP), dividing DLBCL into the following three main molecular subtypes with different clinical outcomes and responses to immunochemotherapy: the germinal center B-cell-like (GCB) subtype, the activated B-cell-like (ABC) subtype and the primary mediastinal B-cell lymphoma (PMBL) subtype. Despite frequent translocations involving the IGH (heavy chain) locus, B-cell receptor (BCR) expression is retained in almost all DLBCL, indicating that BCR signaling is crucial for the survival of malignant cells. Furthermore, DLBCL are characterized by recurrent somatic mutations that are supposed to be oncogenic drivers. Here, with the aim to more accurately define the DLBCL pathogenic subgroups, we report a detailed immunogenetic analysis of IGH rearrangements in a well-defined GEP DLBCL cohort and correlate these features with the somatic mutation status of recurrently mutated genes involved in lymphomagenesis. Methods: 204 DLBCL enrolled in the prospective LYSA LNH03 trial program were classified into molecular subtypes by GEP using Affymetrix arrays [82 ABC (40.2%), 77 GCB (37.7%), 29 (14.2%) unclassified and 16 PMBL (7.8%)]. The amplification of complete VDJ rearrangements was realized using BIOMED-2 protocols. Somatic hypermutation (SHM) characteristics were studied (mutation rate, glycosylation N-X-S/T sites, RGYW hotspots, composition of CDR3) and correlated with the molecular subtypes. To obtain a more comprehensive molecular portrait of the DLBCL cases, GEP and IGH VDJ analyses were correlated with the mutational status of a panel of 34 recurrently mutated genes in DLBCL such as MYD88, EZH2, CD79B, TNFAIP3, CARD11 and GNA13 (Dubois et al. Clinical Cancer Research 2016). Results: A total of 153/204 (75%) clonal VDJ rearrangements were successfully determined. Failures to detect clonotypic sequences were predominantly seen in PMBL (56%) and unclassified (31%) cases. The ABC subtype display a significantly lower SHM rate than the 3 other subtypes, especially in contrast to the PMBL subgroup that was characterized by a higher SHM rate (p Disclosures Haioun: Janssen: Honoraria, Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees; Gilead: Honoraria, Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees; Sandoz: Honoraria, Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees; Celgene: Honoraria, Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees; Roche: Honoraria, Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees. Salles:Mundipharma: Honoraria; Janssen: Consultancy, Honoraria; Gilead: Honoraria, Research Funding; Novartis: Consultancy, Honoraria; Celgene: Consultancy, Honoraria; Amgen: Consultancy, Honoraria; Roche/Genentech: Consultancy, Honoraria, Research Funding.

Platinum-based chemotherapy is considered standard treatment for advanced non-small-cell lung cancer (NSCLC). However, toxicity of most platinum-based regimens is substantial and requires close monitoring and supportive care. Over the past decade, paclitaxel, docetaxel, vinorelbine, gemcitabine, irinotecan, and topotecan have been introduced into the clinic. These newer agents have shown promising activity against NSCLC with a favorable toxicity profile as single agents. For patients with metastatic NSCLC, palliation is the main goal of therapy. Therefore, treatment should be easy to administer on an outpatient basis. We explored a novel combination therapy avoiding platinum. Patients with recurrent or metastatic NSCLC were treated with intravenous (i.v.) topotecan (0.5–1.0 mg/m2/day × 5) and i.v. vinorelbine (20–30 mg/m2/day on day 1 and day 5) in 21-day cycles. Dose-limiting toxicity (DLT) was defined separately with or without the addition of granulocyte colony-stimulating factor (G-CSF) support. Twenty-nine patients have been enrolled to date. At i.v. topotecan doses of 0.75–1.0 mg/m2/day and i.v. vinorelbine of 25 mg/m2/day, neutropenia was frequent but of short duration (2) in the absence of G-CSF support was based on myelosuppression with neutropenic fever. With the addition of G-CSF, a DLT has not been reached. Nonhematologic toxicities included mild to moderate fatigue and constipation. An overall clinical response rate of 42% was achieved, with responses noted at all dose levels. At a short median follow-up of 15 months, the median survival for all patients is 13 months. In conclusion, the combination regimen of topotecan and vinorelbine is feasible for outpatient administration and is well tolerated with less toxicity than platinum-based regimens. Preliminary response data demonstrate good tumor activity, suggesting that this regimen could make an excellent palliative treatment for advanced NSCLC.

To complete the existing treatment guidelines for all tumor types, ESMO organizes consensus conferences to better clarify open issues in each disease. In this setting, a consensus conference on the management of lymphoma was held on 18 June 2011 in Lugano, immediately after the end of the 11th International Conference on Malignant Lymphoma. The consensus conference convened ∼45 experts from all around Europe and selected six lymphoma entities to be addressed; for each of them three to five open questions were to be discussed by the experts. For each question, a recommendation should be given by the panel, supported by the strength of the recommendation based on the level of evidence. This consensus report focuses on the three most common lymphoproliferative malignancies: diffuse large B-cell lymphoma, follicular lymphoma and chronic lymphocytic leukemia. A second report will concentrate on mantle cell lymphoma, marginal zone lymphoma and T-cell lymphomas.

Elevated serum free light chains (FLCs) have been associated with an unfavorable prognosis in diffuse large B-cell lymphoma (DLBCL). The aim of this study was to determine the clinical relevance of a quantitative assessment of intact circulating immunoglobulin (Ig), using serum Ig heavy chain/light chain pair (HLC) measurements in patients with DLBCL. FLC and HLC were measured in 409 serum samples of patients with DLBCL included in the LNH03-B clinical trial program of the Groupe d'Etudes des Lymphomes de l'Adulte (GELA). Patients with an abnormal IgMκ/IgMλ ratio or an abnormal FLC ratio more frequently displayed adverse clinical characteristics. Patients with abnormal IgMκ/IgMλ ratios had inferior progression-free survival (PFS) and overall survival (OS) as compared to patients with a normal ratio in the overall cohort (5-year PFS 44.9% vs. 69.3%, p = 0.0003 and 5-year OS 50.8% vs. 78.1%, p = 0.0003) and in the R-CHOP (rituximab, cyclophosphamide, doxorubicin, vincristine, prednisone) cohort (5-year OS 43.5% vs. 70.3%, p = 0.003). In multivariate analysis, including elevated FLC/HLC and International Prognostic Index (IPI), an abnormal IgMκ/IgMλ ratio (hazard ratio [HR] = 1.54, 95% confidence interval [CI] 1.03-2.3, p = 0.03) remained predictive of shorter progression-free survival. Gene expression profile experiments and immunohistochemistry indicate that this measurement is at least partially related to tumor cell secretion. Both elevated serum FLCs and an abnormal IgMκ/IgMλ ratio are associated with unfavorable outcomes in patients with DLBCL treated by R-CHOP.

Background: The superiority of a chemotherapy with doxorubicin, cyclophosphamide, vindesine, bleomycin and prednisone (ACVBP) in comparison with cyclophosphamide, doxorubicin, vincristin and prednisone plus radiotherapy for young patients with localized diffuse large B-cell lymphoma (DLBCL) was previously demonstrated. We report the results of a trial which evaluates the role of rituximab combined with ACVBP (R-ACVBP) in these patients. Patients and methods: Untreated patients younger than 66 years with stage I or II DLBCL and no adverse prognostic factors of the age-adjusted International Prognostic Index were randomly assigned to receive three cycles of ACVBP plus sequential consolidation with or without the addition of four infusions of rituximab. Results: A total of 223 patients were randomly allocated to the study, 110 in the R-ACVBP group and 113 in the ACVBP group. After a median follow-up of 43 months, our 3-year estimate of event-free survival was 93 in the R-ACVBP group and 82 in the ACVBP group (P 0.0487). Three-year estimate of progression-free survival was increased in the R-ACVBP group (95 versus 83, P 0.0205). Overall survival did not differ between the two groups with a 3-year estimates of 98 and 97, respectively (P 0.686). Conclusion: In young patients with low-risk localized DLBCL, rituximab combined with three cycles of ACVBP plus consolidation is significantly superior to ACVBP plus consolidation alone. © The Author 2012. Published by Oxford University Press on behalf of the European Society for Medical Oncology. All rights reserved.

Dose intensity may be an important determinant of the outcome in cancer chemotherapy, but is often limited by cumulative haematological toxicity. The availability of haematopoietic growth factors such as granulocyte colony-stimulating factor (G-CSF) and of peripheral blood progenitor cell (PBPC) transplantation has allowed the development of a new treatment strategy in which several courses of high-dose combination chemotherapy are administered for the treatment of solid tumours. PBPCs were mobilised before chemotherapy using 12 or 30 micrograms kg-1 day-1 G-CSF (Filgrastim) for 10 days, and were collected by 2-5 leucaphereses. The yields of mononuclear cells, colony-forming units and CD34-positive cells were similar at the two dose levels of Filgrastim, and the numbers of PBPCs were sufficient for rescue following multiple cycles of chemotherapy. High-dose chemotherapy (cyclophosphamide 2.5 g m-2 for 2 days, etoposide 300 mg m-2 for 3 days and cisplatin 50 mg m-2 for 3 days) was administered sequentially for a median of three cycles (range 1-4) to ten patients. Following the 30 evaluable cycles, the median duration of leucopenia < or = 0.5 x 10(9) l-1 and < or = 1.0 x 10(9) l-1 was 7 and 8 days respectively. The median time of thrombopenia < or = 20 x 10(9) l-1 was 6 days. There was no cumulative haematological toxicity. The duration of leucopenia, but not of thrombopenia, was inversely related to the number of reinfused CFU-GM (granulocyte-macrophage colony-forming units). In the majority of patients, neurotoxicity and ototoxicity became dose limiting after three cycles of therapy. However, the average dose intensity delivered was about three times higher than in a standard regimen. The complete response rate in patients with small-cell lung cancers was 66% (95% CI 30-92%) and the median progression-free survival and overall survival were 13 months and 17 months respectively. These results are encouraging and should be compared, in a randomised fashion, with standard dose chemotherapy.

Purpose The standard treatment for relapsed diffuse large B-cell lymphoma (DLBCL) is salvage chemotherapy followed by high-dose therapy and autologous stem-cell transplantation (ASCT). The impact of maintenance rituximab after ASCT is not known. Patients and Methods In total, 477 patients with CD20+ DLBCL who were in their first relapse or refractory to initial therapy were randomly assigned to one of two salvage regimens. After three cycles of salvage chemotherapy, the responding patients received high-dose chemotherapy followed by ASCT. Then, 242 patients were randomly assigned to either rituximab every 2 months for 1 year or observation. Results After ASCT, 122 patients received rituximab, and 120 patients were observed only. The median follow-up time was 44 months. The 4-year event-free survival (EFS) rates after ASCT were 52% and 53% for the rituximab and observation groups, respectively (P = .7). Treatment with rituximab was associated with a 15% attributable risk of serious adverse events after day 100, with more deaths (six deaths v three deaths in the observation arm). Several factors affected EFS after ASCT (P < .05), including relapsed disease within 12 months (EFS: 46% v 56% for relapsed disease after 12 months), secondary age-adjusted International Prognostic Index (saaIPI) more than 1 (EFS: 37% v 61% for saaIPI < 1), and prior treatment with rituximab (EFS: 47% v 59% for no prior rituximab). A significant difference in EFS between women (63%) and men (46%) was also observed in the rituximab group. In the Cox model for maintenance, the saaIPI was a significant prognostic factor (P < .001), as was male sex (P = .01). Conclusion In relapsed DLBCL, we observed no difference between the control group and the rituximab maintenance group and do not recommend rituximab after ASCT.

PURPOSE: This study aimed to evaluate the efficacy and toxicity of radioimmunotherapy (RIT) in recurrent lymphoma after hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (HSCT). METHODS: We reviewed 9 patients, 7 with follicular lymphoma (DLBCL), 1 with mantle cell lymphoma (MCL), and 1 with diffuse large B-cell lymphoma treated with Y-ibritumomab tiuxetan 6 to 140 months after HSCT. Patients underwent In-ibritumomab scintigraphy and were treated 1 week later with standard 14.8 MBq/kg (n = 4) or 11.1 MBq/kg (n = 4) Y-ibritumomab. One patient who had allo-HSCT had reduced activity (70%) treatment. RESULTS: Among the 7 FL patients, we observed complete response (CR) in 2 patients and partial response (PR) in 5 patients. One patient with CR relapsed after 15 months; the other persisted 43.5 months after RIT. Of 5 patients with PR, 3 relapsed between 13 and 17 months; 1 persisted until unrelated death at 11.5 months. The fifth patient with PR received adoptive immunotherapy and improved to metabolic (FDG-PET) CR that persists 45.5 and 41 months after Y-ibritumomab and immunotherapy, respectively. Patients with MCL and DLBCL progressed or experienced stabilization (5 months), respectively. Six patients had grade 1 to 3 bone marrow (BM) toxicity and recovered within 3 months. Three patients having Y-ibritumomab 6, 14, and 24 months after HSCT experienced grade 4 BM toxicity. One of them (RIT 24 months after HSCT) recovered after 3 months, another delayed after 9 months, and the third patient only partially recovered, eventually developed myelodysplasia, and was allografted. CONCLUSIONS: Radioimmunotherapy after HSCT is an effective rescue therapy in FL. However, BM toxicity may be important; 3 of 8 patients treated with standard Y-ibritumomab activity experienced grade 4 BM toxicity, with incomplete recovery 3 months after RIT in 2 patients, both treated early (6 and 14 months) after HSCT.

Background Mantle cell lymphoma accounts for 6% of all B-cell lymphomas and is generally incurable. It is characterized by the translocation t(11;14) leading to cyclin D1 over-expression. Cyclin D1 is downstream of the mammalian target of rapamycin threonine kinase and can be effectively blocked by mammalian target of rapamycin inhibitors. We set out to examine the single agent activity of the orally available mammalian target of rapamycin inhibitor everolimus in a prospective, multicenter trial in patients with relapsed or refractory mantle cell lymphoma ([NCT00516412][1]). Design and Methods Eligible patients who had received a maximum of three prior lines of chemotherapy were given everolimus 10 mg for 28 days (one cycle) for a total of six cycles or until disease progression. The primary endpoint was the best objective response. Adverse reactions, progression-free survival and molecular response were secondary endpoints. Results Thirty-six patients (35 evaluable) were enrolled and treatment was generally well tolerated with Common Terminology Criteria grade ≥3 adverse events (>5%) including anemia (11%), thrombocytopenia (11%) and neutropenia (8%). The overall response rate was 20% (95% CI: 8–37%) with two complete remissions and five partial responses; 49% of the patients had stable disease. At a median follow-up of 6 months, the median progression-free survival was 5.5 months (95% CI: 2.8–8.2) overall and 17.0 (6.4–23.3) months for 18 patients who received six or more cycles of treatment. Three patients achieved a lasting complete molecular response, as assessed by polymerase chain reaction analysis of peripheral blood. Conclusions Everolimus as a single agent is well tolerated and has anti-lymphoma activity in relapsed or refractory mantle cell lymphoma. Further studies of everolimus in combination with chemotherapy or as a single agent for maintenance treatment are warranted. ([Clinicaltrials.gov][2] identifier: [NCT00516412][1]) [1]: /lookup/external-ref?link_type=CLINTRIALGOV&access_num=NCT00516412&atom=%2Fhaematol%2F97%2F7%2F1085.atom [2]: http://Clinicaltrials.gov

Introduction and Methods: Salvage chemotherapy followed by high-dose therapy and autologous stem cell transplantation (ASCT) is standard care for relapsed/refractory DLBCL. In the CORAL study, 477 patients were assigned to one of two salvage regimens (R-DHAP or R-ICE). Only the 240 responding patients underwent per protocol ASCT and were randomly assigned to rituximab or observation. The four-year event-free survival (EFS) post ASCT were 52 and 53% for the rituximab and observation groups, respectively (p=.7). Secondary IPI (sIPI) independently predicted EFS, PFS and OS after ASCT (Gisselbrecht et al, JCO 2010 & 2012). Outcome data are limited in DLBCL patients who relapse after ASCT, with reported overall survival (OS) of 9.9 months in rituximab-pretreated patients (Nagle et al, AJH 2013). To shed more light on outcome and prognostic factor in this population, 75 patients included in the CORAL study who relapsed after scheduled BEAM/ASCT were reviewed. Results: Median time between ASCT scheduled in CORAL and relapse was 7.1 months (range 3.1-61.9) with 32.9% relapsing > 12 months. Median age was 56.1y (range 20.9-67.7), M/F ratio 51/24, sIPI 0-2 in 71.6%, >2 in 28.4%. 49.3% were in the rituximab and 45.3% in the observation arm of the CORAL. All patients had previously received rituximab. Third-line therapy consisted of ICE-type (17.3%), DHAP-type (24%), gemcitabine-containing (28%), CHOP-like (13.3%), and miscellaneous regimens (17.3%). Overall response rate to third-line chemotherapy was 44%, with 32% complete response (CR)/CR unconfirmed (CRu), and 12% PR. Among the 75 patients, 16 (21.6%) could eventually be transplanted 3 ASCT and 13 allogeneic SCT with conditioning regimens including fludarabine. Median OS, calculated from time of relapse until death, was 10.0 months (95% CI 6.6-12.6; min: 0.9-max: 55.2 months; median follow-up: 32.8 months) with an estimated 1-y OS of 39.1%. Median OS was statistically different (p=.0007) according to sIPI at CORAL failure: sIPI 0-2: 12.6 months (1-y OS 51.3%), sIPI > 2: 5.3 months (1-y OS 21.6%, HR 2.805). Median OS in patients achieving CR/CRu, PR, or no response after third-line regimen was 37.7 m (1-y OS 90.5%, p 6 and < 12 months (11.3 months, n=21) or > 12 months after ASCT (12.6 months, p=0.01, fig. 1)). In multivariate Cox analysis (with the following variables entered: age, sex, sIPI, response to third line and time between CORAL ASCT and relapse), sIPI >2 (HR 2.464, p=0.01), achievement of CR (HR 0.1, p Conclusions: Overall, the outcome of DLBCL patients relapsing after second-line R-DHAP/R-ICE followed by ASCT is poor. However, prognostic factors predicting better outcome in this group are late (> 6 months) relapse, lower sIPI and achieving at least PR after third-line salvage followed by transplantation. In the transplanted patients (allo SCT or second ASCT) a 2-year OS of 50% was observed. Thus, new salvage regimens can be a bridge to transplantation in patients with late relapse and/or low sIPI,. New drugs improving salvage efficacy are urgently needed, especially for patients relapsing < 6 months following ASCT. Figure 1. OS (months) in DLBCL patients relapsing after CORAL-scheduled ASCT according to interval between ASCT and relapse ( 12 months) Figure 1. OS (months) in DLBCL patients relapsing after CORAL-scheduled ASCT according to interval between ASCT and relapse ( 12 months) Disclosures Schmitz: Roche, Takeda, Gillead, Riemser und ctilifesciences: Other: Advisory board, Speakers Bureau. Gill:Sanofi Aventis: Research Funding; Roche: Honoraria; AbbVie: Honoraria; Roche: Research Funding. Milpied:Celgene: Honoraria, Research Funding. Briere:St. Louis Hospital, Paris, France: Employment. Thieblemont:St. Louis Hospital, Paris, France: Employment. Salles:Celgene Corporation; Roche and Gilead Sciences: Research Funding; Celgene Corporation; Roche: Speakers Bureau; Calistoga Pharmaceuticals, Inc.; Celgene Corporation; Genentech, Inc.; Janssen Pharmaceutica Products, L.P.; Roche: Consultancy. Gisselbrecht:roche: Research Funding, Speakers Bureau.

Follicular lymphoma is a slow-growing disease exhibiting a heterogeneous clinical course, with a subset of patients experiencing a rapid disease course in the first two years and some developing disease transformation to a more aggressive phenotype. The advent of highly effective therapies has resulted in an increasing number of patients who achieve long-term progression-free survival alongside a good quality of life. Monoclonal antibodies, such as rituximab, either alone or in combination with chemotherapy regimens or radioimmunotherapy have been used with significant improvements in outcome. New treatment strategies such as new antibodies, biologic agents or vaccination therapy are also under investigation for the treatment of relapsed or refractory disease, further expanding the available options for patients and physicians alike. This article presents an overview of the current therapeutic strategies for the management of follicular lymphoma, focusing on the issues encountered in clinical practice.

Purpose Salvage chemotherapy followed by high-dose therapy and autologous stem-cell transplantation (ASCT) is the standard treatment for relapsed diffuse large B-cell lymphoma (DLBCL). Salvage regimens have never been compared; their efficacy in the rituximab era is unknown. Patients and Methods Patients with CD20+ DLBCL in first relapse or who were refractory after first-line therapy were randomly assigned to either rituximab, ifosfamide, etoposide, and carboplatin (R-ICE) or rituximab, dexamethasone, high-dose cytarabine, and cisplatin (R-DHAP). Responding patients received high-dose chemotherapy and ASCT. Results The median age of the 396 patients enrolled (R-ICE, n = 202; R-DHAP, n = 194) was 55 years. Similar response rates were observed after three cycles of R-ICE (63.5%; 95% CI, 56% to 70%) and R-DHAP (62.8%; 95 CI, 55% to 69%). Factors affecting response rates (P < .001) were refractory disease/relapse less than versus more than 12 months after diagnosis (46% v 88%, respectively), International Prognostic Index (IPI) of more than 1 versus 0 to 1 (52% v 71%, respectively), and prior rituximab treatment versus no prior rituximab (51% v 83%, respectively). There was no significant difference between R-ICE and R-DHAP for 3-year event-free survival (EFS) or overall survival. Three-year EFS was affected by prior rituximab treatment versus no rituximab (21% v 47%, respectively), relapse less than versus more than 12 months after diagnosis (20% v 45%, respectively), and IPI of 2 to 3 versus 0 to 1 (18% v 40%, respectively). In the Cox model, these parameters were significant (P < .001). Conclusion In patients who experience relapse more than 12 months after diagnosis, prior rituximab treatment does not affect EFS. Patients with early relapses after rituximab-containing first-line therapy have a poor prognosis, with no difference between the effects of R-ICE and R-DHAP.

Purpose Inotuzumab ozogamicin (CMC-544) is an antibody-targeted chemotherapy agent composed of a humanized anti-CD22 antibody conjugated to calicheamicin, a potent cytotoxic agent. This was a phase I study to determine the maximum-tolerated dose (MTD), safety, and preliminary efficacy of inotuzumab ozogamicin in an expanded MTD cohort of patients with relapsed or refractory CD22+ B-cell non-Hodgkin's lymphoma (NHL). Patients and Methods Inotuzumab ozogamicin was administered intravenously as a single agent once every 3 or 4 weeks at doses ranging from 0.4 to 2.4 mg/m2. Outcomes included MTD, safety, pharmacokinetics, response, progression-free survival (PFS), and overall survival. Results Seventy-nine patients were enrolled. The MTD was determined to be 1.8 mg/m2. Common adverse events at the MTD were thrombocytopenia (90%), asthenia (67%), and nausea and neutropenia (51% each). The objective response rate at the end of treatment was 39% for the 79 enrolled patients, 68% for all patients with follicular NHL treated at the MTD, and 15% for all patients with diffuse large B-cell lymphoma treated at the MTD. Median PFS was 317 days (approximately 10.4 months) and 49 days for patients with follicular NHL and diffuse large B-cell lymphoma, respectively. Conclusion Inotuzumab ozogamicin has demonstrated efficacy against CD22+ B-cell NHL, with reversible thrombocytopenia as the main toxicity.

This review presents an overview of the most recent data using the novel agents thalidomide, bortezomib, and lenalidomide in the treatment of multiple myeloma and summarizes European treatment practices incorporating these novel agents., The treatment of multiple myeloma (MM) has undergone significant developments in recent years. The availability of the novel agents thalidomide, bortezomib, and lenalidomide has expanded treatment options and has improved the outcome of patients with MM. Following the introduction of these agents in the relapsed/refractory setting, they are also undergoing investigation in the initial treatment of MM. A number of phase III trials have demonstrated the efficacy of novel agent combinations in the transplant and nontransplant settings, and based on these results standard induction regimens are being challenged and replaced. In the transplant setting, a number of newer induction regimens are now available that have been shown to be superior to the vincristine, doxorubicin, and dexamethasone regimen. Similarly, in the front-line treatment of patients not eligible for transplantation, regimens incorporating novel agents have been found to be superior to the traditional melphalan plus prednisone regimen. Importantly, some of the novel agents appear to be active in patients with high-risk disease, such as adverse cytogenetic features, and certain comorbidities, such as renal impairment. This review presents an overview of the most recent data with these novel agents and summarizes European treatment practices incorporating the novel agents.

Purpose The prognostic impact of complete response (CR) achievement in multiple myeloma (MM) has been shown mostly in the context of autologous stem-cell transplantation. Other levels of response have been defined because, even with high-dose therapy, CR is a relatively rare event. The purpose of this study was to analyze the prognostic impact of very good partial response (VGPR) in patients treated with high-dose therapy. Patients and Methods All patients were included in the Intergroupe Francophone du Myelome 99-02 and 99-04 trials and treated with vincristine, doxorubicin, and dexamethasone (VAD) induction therapy followed by double autologous stem-cell transplantation (ASCT). Best post-ASCT response assessment was available for 802 patients. Results With a median follow-up of 67 months, median event-free survival (EFS) and 5-year EFS were 42 months and 34%, respectively, for 405 patients who achieved at least VGPR after ASCT versus 32 months and 26% in 288 patients who achieved only partial remission (P = .005). Five-year overall survival (OS) was significantly superior in patients achieving at least VGPR (74% v 61% P = .0017). In multivariate analysis, achievement of less than VGPR was an independent factor predicting shorter EFS and OS. Response to VAD had no impact on EFS and OS. The impact of VGPR achievement on EFS and OS was significant in patients with International Staging System stages 2 to 3 and for patients with poor-risk cytogenetics t(4;14) or del(17p). Conclusion In the context of ASCT, achievement of at least VGPR is a simple prognostic factor that has importance in intermediate and high-risk MM and can be informative in more patients than CR.

We present the long-term results of 18 chemotherapy relapsed indolent (N = 12) or transformed (N = 6) NHL patients of a phase II anti-CD20 (131)I-tositumomab (Bexxar) therapy study. The biphasic therapy included two injections of 450 mg unlabelled antibody combined with (131)I-tositumomab once as dosimetric and once as therapeutic activity delivering 75 or 65 cGy whole-body radiation dose to patients with normal or reduced platelet counts, respectively. Two patients were not treated due to disease progression during dosimetry. The overall response rate was 81% in the 16 patients treated, including 50% CR/CRu and 31% PR. Median progression free survival of the 16 patients was 22.5 months. Median overall survival has not been reached after a median observation of 48 months. Median PFS of complete responders (CR/CRu) has not been reached and will be greater than 51 months. Short-term side effects were mainly haematological and transient. Among the relevant long-term side effects, one patient previously treated with CHOP chemotherapy died from secondary myelodysplasia. Four patients developed HAMA. In conclusion, (131)I-tositumomab RIT demonstrated durable responses especially in those patients who achieved a complete response. Six of eight CR/CRu are ongoing after 46-70 months.

The association of Non-Hodgkin Lymphoma (NHL) and HIV-infection was soon recognized and the Center of Disease Control (CDC) has classified some types of NHL as AIDS-defining illnesses (ADI). Hodgkin's disease (HD) represents the most common type of non ADI malignancy in HIV-infected cases. Commonly, data on malignant lymphoma in this population is collected in known HIV-positive patients or in autopsy-series. This registration study was designed to estimate the incidence of HIV-positivity in patients with newly diagnosed malignant lymphoma. A registration of all patients with newly diagnosed malignant lymphoma and their HIV-status was performed in every center of the Swiss Group for Clinical Cancer research (SAKK) from January 1, 1991 to July 31, 1993. Among 474 eligible patients, HIV-status was evaluated in 400 and 52 were tested positive (13%), 42 (81%) of them males. Three of them were newly detected cases (after lymphoma-diagnosis). Three hundred and forty patients (72%) presented with NHL, 42 (12.4%) of them HIV-positive; 33 out of these had aggressive lymphoma. B-symptoms were significantly more frequent in HIV-positive patients. In the 134 patients with HD, 10 (7.5%) tested HIV-positive, mostly presenting with stage IV disease (7), B-symptoms (9) and extranodal disease (7). In conclusion, 13% out of 400 evaluated patients with newly diagnosed malignant lymphoma tested HIV-positive. The study confirms the predominance of aggressive lymphoma histologies and frequent presentation with B-symptoms in HIV-positive patients with NHL. Male gender, young age (26-35 years) and B-symptoms are prognostic factors for HIV-positivity in NHL.

Introduction and Methods Salvage chemotherapy followed by high-dose therapy and autologous stem cell transplantation (ASCT) is the standard of care for relapsing/refractory DLBCL. In the CORAL study, there was no difference between two randomized second line regimens (R-DHAP or R-ICE) and only half of the patients (pts) eventually underwent per protocol ASCT (Gisselbrecht et al, JCO 2010 & 2012). Because outcome data are limited in DLBCL pts failing second-line strategy, 145 pts included in the CORAL study who failed R-DHAP or R-ICE and could not proceed to scheduled ASCT were herein reviewed. Results Median age was 56y (range 20-67, 31% > 60y), M/F ratio 91/54, IPI 0-1 in 30%, 2-3 in 56%, and 4-5 in 14%. Third-line therapy consisted of ICE-type (19%), DHAP-type (19%), gemcitabine-containing (16%), CHOP-like (8%), dexaBEAM (8%), and miscellaneous (31%) regimens with or without rituximab according to centre policy. Overall response rate to third-line chemotherapy was 43%, with 21% complete response (CR), 8% CR unconfirmed (CRu), and 14% PR. CR/CRu and PR rates among pts treated with ICE-type, DHAP-type, gemcitabine-containing, or CHOP-like regimens were 23 and 23%, 35 and 8%, 9 and 4%, 25 and 25%, respectively. Among the 145 patients, 64 (44%) could eventually be transplanted (ASCT 56, allogeneic SCT 8). Median overall survival (OS), calculated from time of second failure until death, was 5.9 months (95% CI 4.6-7.5; min: 0.0-max: 68.8 months; median follow-up: 32.8 months) and was not influenced by the type of third-line regimen (p=.49). OS was statistically different (p 2: 3.7 months (1-y OS 7.7%, HR 3.021). OS in pts achieving CR/CRu, PR, or no response after third-line regimen was 63.6 m (1-y OS 72.1%, p Conclusions Outcome of DLBCL pts failing second-line R-DHAP or R-ICE is overall poor. However, response to third-line therapy occurs, and 44% of the pts can be further transplanted. Long-term disease control can be observed, especially in pts achieving CR after third-line. This approach (salvage chemotherapy aiming at achieving response followed by transplantation) should then be encouraged in these patients, although there is obviously an urgent need for new drugs improving salvage efficacy. Disclosures: Gisselbrecht: Roche: Consultancy, Research Funding; Baxter: Research Funding; Chugai Pharma: Research Funding. Trneny:Roche: Honoraria, Research Funding. Radford:Roche: Consultancy. Shpilberg:Roche: Consultancy, Honoraria, Research Funding. Dührsen:Roche Pharma: Honoraria, Research Funding. Moskowitz:Genentech: Consultancy, Research Funding. Glass:Roche: Honoraria, Research Funding.

We have recently reported that event-free survival at 24 months from diagnosis (EFS24) is a robust endpoint for assessment of disease related outcome for newly diagnosed patients with diffuse large B-cell lymphoma (DLBCL) treated with anthracycline-based immunochemotherapy (IC). Patients who achieve EFS24 following IC have a subsequent overall survival that is equivalent to the age and sex matched general population. The IPI was developed in the pre-rituximab era using OS/EFS endpoints. While the IPI is associated with outcome in the IC era, the original survival estimates for the IPI risk groups are outdated. The IPI is also a discrete risk classifier, with only 6 possible groups. Here we remodel the IPI using EFS24 as the endpoint in a large international cohort of patients treated with IC. This model provides an individual level 0-100% risk of failing to achieve EFS24 for each patient and can be used for patient prognosis, treatment stratification, and risk assessment. Methods Newly diagnosed DLBCL patients treated with immunochemotherapy from the University of Iowa/Mayo Clinic SPORE Molecular Epidemiology Resource, NCCTG N0489 clinical trial, GELA LNH2003B program, and a Lyon, France based hospital registry were included in the original EFS24 study. Patients with a relapse, progression, unplanned re-treatment, or death due to any cause within 730 days of diagnosis were considered a failure for the EFS24 endpoint. Patients alive and progression/relapse free at 730 days from diagnosis with no subsequent treatment following initial IC were considered a success for the EFS24 endpoint. Variables selected for potential model inclusion were the IPI components (age, stage, ECOG PS, number of extranodal sites, and LDH), as well as standard clinical variables typically reported in studies of DLBCL: presence of B-symptoms, bone marrow involvement, bulky disease (>10 cm), and sex. The IPI24, a prognostic model for EFS24, was developed using logistic regression models. Model building began by fitting the classic IPI score (0-5), then allowing individual IPI variables to carry different model weights and number of categories, followed by dropping insignificant variables, finally adding any additional significant variables. Model performance was assessed using bias corrected c-statistics, AIC, and R2 values. Model selection was done using the complete case set with multiple imputation on the full dataset used to refine parameter estimates for the final model. Results 1596 total patients were available for modeling. The median age was 62 (range 18-93) and 53% were male; 33% were IPI 0-1, 25% were IPI 2, 25% were IPI 3, and 17% were IPI of 4-5. The failure rate for achieving EFS24 was 29%. All variables but sex (p=0.33) were univariately associated with EFS24 (p 10cm, and age (continuous). This model resulted in improved fit and prognostic ability (c=0.749) over the standard IPI (c=0.696, bootstrap p Conclusion The IPI24, generated using standard clinical variables, yields an individual risk prediction for failing to achieve EFS24 following IC for treatment of DLBCL. The IPI24 has superior prognostic ability to the standard IPI and can be implemented in the clinic using a nomogram or as a simple electronic application. Disclosures: No relevant conflicts of interest to declare.

PURPOSE: We sought to describe the infections that occur after large-dose chemotherapy, which was followed by autologous peripheral blood progenitor cell transplantation, and to determine their risk factors. PATIENTS AND METHODS: We retrospectively analyzed the occurrence and the characteristics of infections in 277 consecutive patients who received intensive chemotherapy for non-Hodgkin's lymphoma (n = 207), Hodgkin's disease (n = 27), or multiple myeloma (n = 43) in a single institution. Conditioning regimens included total body irradiation in 47% of the cases. Infections occurring within the 30 days after transplant were defined as early infections, whereas infections after that time in patients who had achieved a neutrophil count greater than 1.0 × 10 9 /L (1,000 per μL) were considered as late infections. RESULTS: Within the first 30 days, 172 patients had unexplained fever (62%); infections were documented in 83 patients (30%), most commonly bacteremia (57 patients). Late infections occurred in 64 (26%) of 244 evaluable patients and consisted mainly of varicella zoster virus infections (n = 36) and pneumonia (n = 16). Administration of total body irradiation [odds ratio (OR) = 2.50; 95% confidence interval (CI) 1.4 to 4.5; P = 0.002) and previous use of fludarabine (OR 2.5; CI 1.2 to 5.2; P = 0.02) and a diagnosis of myeloma (OR 2.6; CI 1.2 to 5.6; P = 0.04) were significantly associated with late infections. CONCLUSIONS: This study confirms that infectious toxicity after peripheral blood progenitor cell transplantation is usually moderate, although bacteremia remains a serious problem. Late infections are encountered in about 25% of patients and are more common in those with myeloma, or those who received total body irradiation or fludarabine.

Summary Objectives: Retrospective evaluation of anemia frequency and its prognostic value in patients with different subtypes of nonHodgkin's lymphoma and comparison with other clinical characteristics. Patients and methods: Anemia was defined as a hemoglobin value less than or equal to 12 g/dl for all men and women over 50 years of age, and less than or equal to 11 g/dl for women under 50 years of age. The study included 1077 adult lymphoma patients treated between 1980 and 1995 with the following histologic subtypes: 127 patients with small lymphocytic or lymphoplasmacytoid, 62 with marginal zone, 50 with mantlecell, 208 with follicular, 104 with T-cell lymphoma, 426 with diffuse large-cell and, finally, 73 patients with other high-grade lymphomas. Results: Anemia was present in 341 patients (32%). It was an adverse prognostic factor (P < 0.0001) for overall survival (OS) and progression-free survival (PFS) but not for relapsefree survival (RFS). When patients with and those without bone marrow involvement were considered separately, anemia remained an adverse factor. Anemia was significantly associated with shorter PFS in small lymphocytic or lymphoplasmacytoid, mantle cell, diffuse large cell and high-grade lymphomas and with shorter OS in all histologic subgroups except marginal zone lymphoma. In multivariate analysis, anemia was a significant prognostic factor for OS and PFS for the population as a whole (P = 0.0001 and P = 0.0048, respectively) and in patients with bone marrow involvement (P - 0.007 and P 0.005, respectively) but not in patients without bone marrow involvement. Finally, the addition of anemia to the International Prognostic Index led to an improvement for OS (P — 0.0004) and PFS (P = 0.0004). Conclusions: Anemia is an important adverse prognostic factor for the outcome of lymphoma patients, particularly in some histologic subgroups and in patients with bone marrow involvement.

Summary Background: Despite improved detection of mantle cell lymphoma (MCL), results of its treatment with conventional therapies remain disappointing and the survival rate poor. The role of high-dose chemotherapy has recently been investigated but no potential benefit has been clearly established. We report here our experience with MCL patients treated with intensive chemotherapy and autologous stem cell transplantation (ASCT). Patients and methods: Of the 16 MCL patients who received high-dose chemotherapy and ASCT beginning in 1989, six were treated in first-line and 10 in sensitive relapse. Twelve of 16 patients received regimens which included total body irradiation. All patients received peripheral blood stem cells (PBSC) with the exception of one, who underwent bone marrow transplantation. Results: Three patients died of toxic effects of treatment. Three months after transplant, seven achieved complete responses (CR) and two partial responses (PR), two were stable and two had progressed. With a median follow-up after transplant of 22 months, five of the six surviving patients were without progression, and three were in CR. The median times for event-free survival (EFS) and overall survival (OS) were, respectively, 249 and 317 days. The expected three-year EFS and OS were 24%. The median survival after diagnosis was only 29 months. None of the criteria appeared to be significantly associated with a better outcome, but first-line intensification and a short delay after initial diagnosis may be favorable. Conclusion: In this study we were not able to confirm the hypothetical benefit of high-dose chemotherapy and PBSC transplantation in mantle cell lymphoma, even though this approach may be promising in a subgroup of patient.

Abstract 541 Introduction Diffuse large B-cell lymphomas (DLBCL) represent a heterogeneous group of tumors with variable clinical, morphological, and molecular features. The International Prognostic index (IPI) imperfectly stratifies patients and does not reflect the molecular heterogeneity of the disease. New tools for stratifying DLBCL patients in routine practice are needed. The aim of the study was to analyse the prognostic relevance of CMYC, BCL2 and BCL6 rearrangements and the correlation with CMYC protein expression in a large series of 776 CD20+ de novo DLBCL treated with R-chemotherapy included in the Groupe d'Etude des Lymphomes de l'Adulte (GELA) trials. Methods Patients with de novo CD20+ DLBCL were enrolled in the randomized LNH-03 GELA trials (LNH-03-1B, -2B, -3B, 39B, -6B, 7B-, 5B). Seven hundred seventy six patients treated with anthracyclin based chemotherapy (R-CHOP/R-miniCHOP=483 or R-ACVBP=293) were eligible for the study. Tumor samples were analyzed by Fluorescence in situ hybridization (FISH) using split signal FISH DNA probes for BCL2/18q21, BCL6/8q27 and CMYC/8q24 and were immunostained for the expression of CMYC protein on tissue microarrays. Results Five hundred seventy six DLBCL samples were evaluable for MYC rearrangement. Rearrangement of MYC, BCL2, and BCL6 genes were observed in 9.2% (53/576), 15.9 % (82/515), and 23.8% (129/541) of DLBCL, respectively. Fifteen cases showed both BCL2/BCL6 gene rearrangement. MYC rearranged cases (MYC-R+) included 21 MYC simple-hit (MYC-SH) and 32 MYC double or triple hit with concurrent BCL2 and/or BCL6 rearrangement (MYC-DH) DLBCL. There were 33 male and 20 women, with a median age of 62 years [range, 18–93], and 5 were stage I-II and 48 stage III-IV according to Ann Arbor. The common histological feature of the MYC-SH cases was an increased mitotic rate but a starry sky pattern with tingible body macrophages was observed only in 2 cases. MYC protein expression was found positive in 30/45 (66%) evaluable MYC-R+ cases using a cut off of ≥70% of positive tumor cells. In univariate analysis, IPI had a significant impact on OS (P< .0001). BCL2, BCL6 gene alterations did not significantly predict survival (PFS, EFS, OS). MYC-R+ breakpoint was associated with a shorter 5-year OS rate (57.7% vs 73.7%, P= 0.01) which remained significant in the R-CHOP treated group of patients (P=0.04). When separating MYC-SH and MYC-DH DLBCL, MYC-SH maintained a significant impact on survival in the global population as well as in the R-CHOP group of patients. By contrast, MYC-DH had no significant impact on OS in the global population and in the R-CHOP group of patients. In multivariate analysis, the prognostic impact of the IPI, MYC-R+ and MYC-SH breakpoint remained significant. Conclusion This is the first large extensive study on the prognosis impact of MYC rearrangement in controlled trial of DLBCL patients treated with R-chemotherapy. MYC-SH had an adverse prognostic effect on survival. Interestingly, in contrast to previous published studies, this impact was not maintained in the MYC-DH DLBCL suggesting different biological response to treatment between the two groups. Immunostaining for MYC protein was not efficient to detect MYC rearranged cases. FISH for MYC, BCL2 and BCL6 should be performed systematically to differentiate MYC-SH and MYC-DH in future clinical trials. Disclosures: No relevant conflicts of interest to declare.

Abstract 1539 Introduction Diffuse large B-cell lymphomas (DLBCL) represent a heterogeneous disease with variable clinical outcome. Identifying phenotypic biomarkers of tumor cells on paraffin sections that predict different clinical outcome remain an important goal that may also help to better understand the biology of this lymphoma. Differentiating non-germinal centre B-cell-like (non-GCB) from Germinal Centre B-cell-like (GCB) DLBCL according to Hans algorithm has been considered as an important immunohistochemical biomarker with prognostic value among patients treated with R-CHOP although not reproducibly found by all groups. Gene expression studies have also shown that IgM expression might be used as a surrogate for the GCB and ABC subtypes with a strong preferential expression of IgM in ABC DLBCL subtype. ImmunoFISH index based on the differential expression of MUM-1, FOXP1 by immunohistochemistry and on the BCL6 rearrangement by FISH has been previously reported (C Copie-Bergman, J Clin Oncol. 2009;27:5573-9) as prognostic in an homogeneous series of DLBCL treated with R-CHOP. In addition, oncogenic MYC protein overexpression by immunohistochemistry may represent an easy tool to identify the consequences of MYC deregulation in DLBCL. Our aim was to analyse by immunohistochemistry the prognostic relevance of MYC, IgM, GCB/nonGCB subtype and ImmunoFISH index in a large series of de novo DLBCL treated with Rituximab (R)-chemotherapy (anthracyclin based) included in the 2003 program of the Groupe d'Etude des Lymphomes de l'Adulte (GELA) trials. Methods The 2003 program included patients with de novo CD20+ DLBCL enrolled in 6 different LNH-03 GELA trials (LNH-03-1B, −B, −3B, 39B, −6B, 7B) stratifying patients according to age and age-adjusted IPI. Tumor samples were analyzed by immunohistochemistry using CD10, BCL6, MUM1, FOXP1 (according to Barrans threshold), MYC, IgM antibodies on tissue microarrays and by FISH using BCL6 split signal DNA probes. Considering evaluable Hans score, 670 patients were included in the study with 237 (35.4%) receiving intensive R-ACVBP regimen and 433 (64.6%) R-CHOP/R-mini-CHOP. Results 304 (45.4%) DLBCL were classified as GCB and 366 (54.6%) as non-GCB according to Hans algorithm. 337/567 cases (59.4%) were positive for the ImmunoFISH index (i.e. two out of the three markers positive: MUM1 protein positive, FOXP1 protein Variable or Strong, BCL6 rearrangement). Immunofish index was preferentially positive in the non-GCB subtype (81.3%) compared to the GCB subtype (31.2%), (p0.4) for both cut-offs. Progression-free Survival (PFS) was significantly worse among patients with high IPI score (p Overall Survival (OS) was also significantly worse among patients with high IPI score (p All significant parameters were included in a multivariate analysis using Cox Model and in addition to IPI, only the GCB/non-GCB subtype according to Hans algorithm predicted significantly a worse PFS among non-GCB subgroup (HR 1.9 [1.3—2.8] p=0.002) as well as a worse OS (HR 2.0 [1.3–3.2], p=0.003). This strong prognostic value of non-GCB subtyping was confirmed considering only patients treated with R- CHOP for PFS (HR 2.1 [1.4–3.3], p=0.001) and for OS (HR 2.3 [1.3–3.8], p=0.002). Conclusion Our study on a large series of patients included in trials confirmed the relevance of immunohistochemistry as a useful tool to identify significant prognostic biomarkers for clinical use. We show here that IgM and MYC might be useful prognostic biomarkers. In addition, we confirmed in this series the prognostic value of the ImmunoFISH index. Above all, we fully validated the strong and independent prognostic value of the Hans algorithm, daily used by the pathologists to subtype DLBCL. Disclosures: No relevant conflicts of interest to declare.

Abstract 3676 Background: Diffuse Large B-cell Lymphoma (DLBCL) is a heterogeneous disease based on biological analyses of tumor cells, with for instance the determination of two molecular subgroups, one with a profile close to germinal center B-cells and the second to activated B-cells. Data from the biology of tumor microenvironment could also be helpful to define different prognostic subgroups of DLBCL. The role of the biology of the patient with DLBCL, i.e. the host-related factors is little explored. Epidemiological studies showed that some inherited genetic variation in immune genes could increase the risk of lymphoma development and some retrospective studies indicated that patient's outcome could be predicted by some germ line polymorphisms (SNPs) in cytokine genes. The aim of this study is to determine the prognostic impact of 13 SNPs in 7 immune genes, IL10 (4 SNPs), Tumor Necrosis factor α (TNFA), lymphotoxin α (LTA), BAFF (3 SNPs), IL1A, IL8RB, IL4R (2 SNPs) in a cohort of newly diagnosed DLBCL patients included in the GELA LNH2003 prospective trials all treated by rituximab combined with chemotherapy. Patients and Methods: 1564 patients from France, Switzerland and Belgium were included in the 5 prospective multicentric trials of the LNH2003 program of the GELA designed for DLBCL patients who were stratified in different subgroups based on age and International Prognostic Index (IPI) score. A sample of peripheral blood lymphocytes was collected before treatment from 760 patients who signed a specific consent form for this genetic study. After pathologic review and exclusion of patients not receiving rituximab (48 patients), 554 DLBCL patients were available for this study. SNPs were genotyped using a TaqMan® based assay. Results: The median age of the 554 patients was 61 years (range, 18–93 years), 57% of them were male and 50% of patients presented at diagnosis a 2–3 age-adjusted IPI score. Chemotherapy regimen consisted in a combination of rituximab with CHOP-21 (110 patients, 20%), CHOP-14 (181 patients, 33%), low dose CHOP for patients older than 80 years (60 patients, 11%), or ACVBP regimen (203 patients, 36%). At the end of treatment, complete response (CR) or unconfirmed CR was observed in 75% of patients. After a median follow-up of 38 months, the 3-year progression free survival (PFS) and overall survival (OS) was 70.2% and 75.7%, respectively. All the polymorphism distributions of the SNPs analyzed were consistent with Hardy-Weinberg equilibrium. The main initial clinical characteristics of patients were not different according to the 13 studied SNPs, except for IL4R (rs2107356), CC carriers presented less frequently B symptoms than CT and TT carriers (28% vs. 41% and 61%, P = .01). No correlation was observed between the quality of the response at the end of the treatment and each genotype of the 13 studied SNPs. The 3-year PFS and OS were overall not influenced by the genotyping of the 13 SNPs. However, a trend for a better 3-year PFS for LTA +252GG carriers compared to LTA +252AG and AA carriers was observed (79.7% vs. 64.6% and 72.7%, P = .04). Conclusions: To our knowledge, this is the largest prospective multicentric study that investigates the role of immune SNPs on treatment response and outcome in a large cohort of newly diagnosed patients with DLBCL receiving rituximab. No correlation between SNPs and treatment response was observed. Analyses of the impact on outcome of each individual SNP showed only a trend for a prognostic role on PFS of LTA A252G SNP, which is already described as a functional SNP. The results will be further precise by the correlation of IL10, BAFF and TNFA /LTA full haplotypes with response and outcome. Disclosures: No relevant conflicts of interest to declare.

Abstract 90 Background: rituximab had dramatically improved the prognosis of patients with Diffuse Large B-cell Lymphoma (DLBCL) in combination with chemotherapy. Many biological and clinical studies suggested considerable inter-individual variability in term of anti-CD20 monoclonal antibody (mAb) activity with tumor and host-related influencing factors. Among host-related factors, the presence of functional polymorphisms in FcG receptors genes as FCGR3A-158V/F influences the affinity for IgG1 and consequently the antibody dependant cellular cytotoxicity (ADCC) with therapeutic mAbs such as rituximab. The clinical consequence reported to date consists in a better response rate to rituximab monotherapy for FCGR3A-158V homozygous patients treated for follicular lymphoma compared FCGR3A-158F carriers. In DLBCL and in the context of combination with chemotherapy, the role of FCGR3A and FCGR2A SNPs on treatment response and patient's outcome is not clear with few prospective studies. The aim of this study is to determine the impact of FCGR3A and FCGR2A SNPs on response and outcome of newly diagnosed DLBCL patients included in the prospective trials of the GELA (LNH2003 program). Patients and Methods: 1564 patients from France, Switzerland and Belgium were included in the 5 prospective multicentric trials of the LNH2003 program of the GELA designed for DLBCL patients who were stratified in different subgroups based on age and International Prognostic Index (IPI) score. A sample of peripheral blood lymphocytes was collected before treatment from 760 patients who signed a specific consent form for this genetic study. After pathologic review and exclusion of patients not receiving rituximab (48 patients), 554 DLBCL patients were available for this study. SNPs were genotyped using a TaqMan® based assay. Results: The median age of the 554 patients was 61 years (range, 18–93 years), 57% of them were male and 50% of patients presented at diagnosis a 2–3 age-adjusted IPI score. Chemotherapy regimen consisted in a combination of rituximab with CHOP-21 (110 patients, 20%), CHOP-14 (181 patients, 33%), low dose CHOP for patients older than 80 years (60 patients, 11%), or ACVBP regimen (203 patients, 36%). At the end of treatment, complete response (CR) or unconfirmed CR was observed in 75% of patients. After a median follow-up of 38 months, the 3-year progression free survival (PFS) and overall survival (OS) was 70.2% and 75.7%, respectively. The distribution of the VV, VF and FF FCGR3A alleles was 14.8%, 46.4%, 38.8%, and 27.8%, 48.6%, 23.6% for HH, HR and RR FCGR2A alleles, respectively, and were therefore consistent with Hardy-Weinberg equilibrium. Initial clinical characteristics of patients (age, sex, Performance Status, stage, B-symptoms, number of extra-nodal sites, LDH level, IPI) were not different according to the two FCGR SNPs. CR/CRu after induction therapy was observed in 61%, 66%, 61% for VV, VF and FF carriers (P = .46) and 60%, 64%, 64% for HH, HR and RR carriers (P =.70), respectively. No difference of response after consolidation treatment was observed between each genotype of FCGR3A and FCGR2A SNPs. The 3-year PFS was 65.3%, 71.4%, 70.5% for FCGR3A VV, VF and FF carriers (P = .43) and 69.2%, 67.6%, 76.6% for FCGR2A HH, HR, RR carriers (P =.09), respectively. The 3-year OS was also not different between the three genotypes of each FCGR SNPs. Conclusions: To our knowledge, this is the largest prospective multicentric study that investigates the role of FCGR2A and FCGR3A SNPs on treatment response and outcome in a large series representing the whole spectrum of DLBCL patients. Based on these results, modification of rituximab schedule according to the FCGR3A and FCGR2A genotypes does not appear worth investigating. Others host-related factors influencing the efficiency of immunotherapy need to be investigate. Disclosures: No relevant conflicts of interest to declare.

Abstract 3043 Introduction: The Thalidomide-Dexamethasone (TD) regimen has provided encouraging results in relapsed MM. To improve results, bortezomib (Velcade) has been added to the combination in previous phase II studies, the so called VTD regimen. In January 2006, the European Group for Blood and Marrow Transplantation (EBMT) and the Intergroupe Francophone du Myélome (IFM) initiated a prospective, randomized, parallel-group, open-label phase III, multicenter study, comparing VTD (arm A) with TD (arm B) for MM patients progressing or relapsing after autologous transplantation. Patients and Methods: Inclusion criteria: patients in first progression or relapse after at least one autologous transplantation, including those who had received bortezomib or thalidomide before transplant. Exclusion criteria: subjects with neuropathy above grade 1 or non secretory MM. Primary study end point was time to progression (TTP). Secondary end points included safety, response rate, progression-free survival (PFS) and overall survival (OS). Treatment was scheduled as follows: bortezomib 1.3 mg/m2 was given as an i.v bolus on Days 1, 4, 8 and 11 followed by a 10-Day rest period (days 12 to 21) for 8 cycles (6 months) and then on Days 1, 8, 15, 22 followed by a 20-Day rest period (days 23 to 42) for 4 cycles (6 months). In both arms, thalidomide was scheduled at 200 mg/Day orally for one year and dexamethasone 40 mg/Day orally four days every three weeks for one year. Patients reaching remission could proceed to a new stem cell harvest. However, transplantation, either autologous or allogeneic, could only be performed in patients who completed the planned one year treatment period. Response was assessed by EBMT criteria, with additional category of near complete remission (nCR). Adverse events were graded by the NCI-CTCAE, Version 3.0.The trial was based on a group sequential design, with 4 planned interim analyses and one final analysis that allowed stopping for efficacy as well as futility. The overall alpha and power were set equal to 0.025 and 0.90 respectively. The test for decision making was based on the comparison in terms of the ratio of the cause-specific hazards of relapse/progression, estimated in a Cox model stratified on the number of previous autologous transplantations. Relapse/progression cumulative incidence was estimated using the proper nonparametric estimator, the comparison was done by the Gray test. PFS and OS probabilities were estimated by the Kaplan-Meier curves, the comparison was performed by the Log-Rank test. An interim safety analysis was performed when the first hundred patients had been included. The safety committee recommended to continue the trial. Results: As of 1st July 2010, 269 patients had been enrolled in the study, 139 in France (IFM 2005-04 study), 21 in Italy, 38 in Germany, 19 in Switzerland (a SAKK study), 23 in Belgium, 8 in Austria, 8 in the Czech republic, 11 in Hungary, 1 in the UK and 1 in Israel. One hundred and sixty nine patients were males and 100 females; the median age was 61 yrs (range 29–76). One hundred and thirty six patients were randomized to receive VTD and 133 to receive TD. The current analysis is based on 246 patients (124 in arm A, 122 in arm B) included in the second interim analysis, carried out when 134 events were observed. Following this analysis, the trial was stopped because of significant superiority of VTD over TD. The remaining patients were too premature to contribute to the analysis. The number of previous autologous transplants was one in 63 vs 60 and two or more in 61 vs 62 patients in arm A vs B respectively. The median follow-up was 25 months. The median TTP was 20 months vs 15 months respectively in arm A and B, with cumulative incidence of relapse/progression at 2 years equal to 52% (95% CI: 42%-64%) vs 70% (95% CI: 61%-81%) (p=0.0004, Gray test). The same superiority of arm A was also observed when stratifying on the number of previous autologous transplantations. At 2 years, PFS was 39% (95% CI: 30%-51%) vs 23% (95% CI: 16%-34%) (A vs B, p=0.0006, Log-Rank test). OS in the first two years was comparable in the two groups. Conclusion: VTD resulted in significantly longer TTP and PFS in patients relapsing after ASCT. Analysis of response and safety data are on going and results will be presented at the meeting. Protocol EU-DRACT number: 2005-001628-35. Disclosures: Niederwieser: Bristol-Myers Squibb: Speakers Bureau; Novartis: Speakers Bureau.

Abstract 2274 Poster Board II-251 Introduction: Granulocyte Colony-Stimulating Factor (G-CSF) is regularly used after autologous peripheral blood stem cell transplant (ASCT) to accelerate neutrophil engraftment. The result is a reduction of the number of febrile days, antibiotic use and duration of hospitalization, resulting in a reduction of costs. Randomized trails demonstrated that further cost reduction is obtained by delaying the beginning of G-CSF therapy from day 1 to days 5-7 post transplant without significantly changing the time to neutrophil recovery, despite a trend to better results when the drug was started on day 1. Pegfilgrastim is a sustained duration form of filgrastim administered as a single-fixed s.c. dose, a schedule that is more patient friendly. Moreover, as the drug is given in a single shot, there is no need to delay the therapy to decrease treatment costs. This trial was conducted to assess the efficacy and safety of pegfilgrastim to enhance neutrophil recovery after ASCT. Patients and Methods: in this bi-institutional phase II trial 40 patients with Multiple Myeloma (N=20), Hodgkin Lymphoma (N=8) and Non-Hodgkin Lymphoma (N=12) were accrued from January 2007 to December 2008. Pegfilgrastim 6 mg s.c. was administered on transplant day 1. Results were compared with a historical control group of 40 patients (20 with myeloma and 20 with lymphoma) treated with filgrastim 5μg/kg/d s.c. starting at median day 7 after transplant (range 3-7). All lymphoma patients (cases and controls) received BEAM as high dose schedule, while the 40 multiple myeloma patients were treted with MEL200. If tandem transplants were planned, only the first procedure was eligible to the study. Differences between groups were estimated by two-sample t-test and Wilcoxon rank-sum test. A two sided p-value of Results: case and control populations were statistically similar in terms of age, sex, disease, conditioning regimen, CD34+ cell-dose and number of prior therapy lines. Median time to achieve a neutrophil count > 500/μl was 9.5 vs 11.3 days for case and controls, respectively (p 20000/μl was 11.9 vs 11.4 days (p=0.42); median duration of fever was 3.4 vs 4.6 days (p=0.3); median duration of i.v. antibiotic therapy was 4.2 vs 6.5 days (p=0.0007); median hospitalization duration was 14 vs 14.8 days (p=0.0184, N.S. at t-test). Both groups received an equal number of RBC and platelet transfusions. Pain was present in 12.5% of patients in the experimental group and lasted for a median of 3 days (2-9). No other toxicities related to pegfilgrastim were observed. The control group received a median of 6.5 doses of filgrastim (range 4-10). Market prices per treatment are 2076.75 vs 1534.90 Swiss Francs for pegfilgrastim and filgrastim, respectively. Conclusions: Pegfilgrastim given as a single dose of 6 mg s.c. on transplant day 1 accelerates neutrophil engraftment, shortens the duration of neutropenia and hospitalization and reduces the use of i.v. antibiotics compared to daily filgrastim. The 25% increase in costs when using pegfilgrastim is counterbalanced by a shorter time on antibiotics and a tendency to a shorter time in hospital. Disclosures: Wannesson: AMGEN: Research Funding. Off Label Use: Pegfilgrastim is a pegilated formulation of filgrastim, a reccombinant human granulocyte colony stimulating factor. It has a long half life allowing a single dose treatment instead of multiple repeated doses. In general it has been shown equivalent results comparing to filgrastim in all clinical settings, even if still off-label for some indications, like the post-autologous transplant support (matter of the present abstract). Ghielmini:AMGEN: Research Funding. Ketterer:AMGEN: Research Funding.

Even with the introduction of rituximab, some patients with lymphoma continue to relapse or progress during treatment. To better define these patients, we looked at all patients with aggressive lymphoma included in the GELA trials during the last 20 years or 4 generations of studies: LNH-87, -93, -98, and -03. Each study generation comprise several randomized studies according to different groups of patients, i.e., young or old, low or high risk. ACVBP, the high-dose regimen used by GELA since 1984 was usually one of the 2 arms, except in elderly patients. Rituximab was first introduced in the LNH-98.5 study and was part of nearly all arms in the LNH-03 study. A total of 7806 patients were included in this retrospective analysis, 3116 being treated with ACVBP and 4880 with other regimens. Two analyses were done: one for the 7198 patients treated without rituximab and one for the 608 patients treated with rituximab. Only patients included in a published study were included explaining the lower number for rituximab-treated patients, most of the LNH-03 studies being not yet published. 4 groups of patients were defined: refractory or non-responding pts (NR, progression during treatment); patients in PR at the end of treatment (persisting lymphoma cells or PET fixing tumor); relapsing pts with early relapses (ER, during the first year) and late relapses (LR, after one year). 7-year OS was 56% and 7-year PFS was 47.5%, meaning that only 8.5% of the patients were rescued by any treatment at time of progression. Identical results were found in all study generations with 2 groups of patients: those with PR or LR with 7-year OS at 38%, and those with NR or ER, 7-year OS at 12%. Therefore, all generations were grouped (see figure 1). Patients treated with rituximab had a gain of 9% in OS at 6 years (69% vs. 60%). However, they had the same pattern for progression: 6-year OS around 40% for PR and LR patients and around 20% for NR and ER patients. The difference between patients treated with or without rituximab being the percentage of patients in each group: 61% vs. 50% for those without progression and 16% vs. 29% for those with NR or ER. The IPI score does not allow the identification of these poor risk patients. A study is ongoing to characterize the NR+ER patients at diagnosis. This analysis allowed recognizing 2 patterns of failing therapy. Patients with PR and LR have a disease sensible to chemotherapy while NR and ER pts have a disease not responding to treatment. These patients probably must be treated differently with the introduction of new therapeutic agents into the first line regimen. Figure Figure

Background and Aim: Due to limited data regarding the efficacy of Radioimmunotherapy with 90Y-Zevalin (RIT-Z) outside of controlled clinical trials, we carried out a biinstitutional, international retrospective study to assess the efficacy of RIT-Z in a routine clinical setting. The relationship between the number of previous therapies and outcomes as well as the response to the last therapy was assessed. Possible differences in outcomes for patients treated in the two different centers were also analyzed. Materials and Methods: Forty-three consecutive patients treated at the University Hospital of Lausanne (CHUV, Switzerland) and at S. Andrea University Hospital of Rome (Italy) were evaluated, none of which had been previously included in clinical trials. Only 31 patients entered the final analysis: patients lost at follow up, undergoing autologous transplantation (ASCT), or treated within the last 3 months were excluded. Efficacy of therapy was evaluated in terms of Overall Survival (OS), Progression Free Survival (PFS), and Time to Next Treatment (TTNT). Survival curves were obtained with the Kaplan- Meier method (statistical significance = p Results: Characteristics of the patient population are listed in Table 1. Although 50% of the patients had aggressive histologies, patients treated at S. Andrea had slightly more favorable features than those treated at CHUV. Fourteen patients (45%) had received at least 4 previous treatments, and all had received Rituximab. Fourteen patients (45%) had not responded to the last therapy, while 6 (19%), all treated at S.Andrea, were considered disease-free at the time of RIT-Z, which was administered for consolidation. Median follow up time was 20 months (11.5 vs. 25 months for S.Andrea and CHUV, respectively). Median PFS and TTNT were similar. After achieving a partial response, 2 patients were referred to Rituximab maintenance after RIT-Z and remain progression-free. Median OS was still not attained. Although not statistically significant, a trend towards better outcomes for S. Andrea patients was found. In comparing patients with indolent and aggressive lymphoma, only PFS was found to be significantly different (median PFS: 10 vs. 5 months, p Conclusions: Poorer outcomes were found in our patient population treated in a routine clinical setting compared to those enrolled in clinical trials. This may be related to greater heterogeneity of our study cohort which included more patients with unfavorable conditions (e.g. aggressive NHL, ≥4 treatment courses including rituximab in all, and ASCT in 25%). Our results suggest that the best benefit may be expected with RIT-Z either for consolidation or relatively earlier in the course of NHL treatment. Table 1. Total CHUV S. Andrea Population Analyzed (72%) Number of patients 43 23 20 31 Median Age 61 63 58,5 62 Aggressive Histology (FL grade 3 or DLBCL) 18 (41,8%) 8 (34,7%) 10 (50%) 11 (35,5%) Indolent Histology (FL grade 1 or 2) (%) 25 (58,2%) 15 (65,3%) 10 (50%) 20 (64,5%) Patients with ≥4 previous treatments 19 (44,2%) 12 (52,1%) 7 (35%) 14 (45,2%) Patients with previous ASCT 11 (25,6%) 6 (26%) 5 (25%) 8 (25%)

Salvage chemotherapy followed by high dose therapy (HDT) and autologous stem cell transplantation (ASCT) is the standard of treatment for chemosensitive relapses in diffuse large B cell lymphoma. Improvement of salvage chemotherapy was suggested with the association rituximab, Ifosfamide, etoposide, carboplatinum, R-ICE. What is the optimal chemotherapy regimen and can we reduce the post ASCT relapses rate? The ongoing CORAL trial was designed to answer these questions. DLBCL CD 20+ in first relapse or pts refractory after first line therapy were randomized between rituximab plus DHAP and R-ICE. Stratification was made on centers, prior rituximab exposure and refractory/12months, 108 refractory/early relapses; 97 pts with prior exposure to rituximab; Stage 3-4 107 pts; elevated LDH 88 pts; secondary IPI 0–1 112 pts; sIPI 2-3 63pts. The two arms were well balanced. In the prior rituximab cohort exposure more pts had refractory disease and adverse prognostic factors. However, at inclusion patients characteristics were not significantly different in the stratified subgroups. The overall response rate was 68%, with 41% complete remission rate. Toxicity was similar to what is expected with intensive therapy, 72 SAE were reported with 12 deaths during the initial salvage regimens. In univariate analysis factors significantly affecting response rate (p1 54% vs 77% and prior exposure to rituximab 54% vs 82%. In a logistic regression model only refractory/early relapse and secondary IPI remain significant for response rate. Intent to treat 2 yrs EFS and OS were 50% (CI 42–57%) and 69% (CI 61–75%) respectively. Only 107 pts in this prospective study received, per protocol ASCT. For patients transplanted, 2 yrs EFS was 75% (CI 63–84%) with OS 89%. Two yrs EFS was affected by: prior treatment with rituximab, 34% vs 66% (p=.0001); refractory/early relapse 36% vs 68% (p Conclusion: Salvage chemotherapy incorporating rituximab provide a high 82% response rate in pts not previously treated with rituximab. Patients who refractory to upfront rituximab-based chemotherapy have a poor response rate and prognosis. The study is on going to include 240 pts in the second randomisation for the EFS primary endpoint.

It was demonstrated in a placebo controlled randomized study that Palifemin decrease the severity of oral mucositis in patients (pts) treated with total body irradiation (TBI), high-dose chemotherapy (HDCT) and autologous stem cell transplantation (ASCT). The benefit of this treatment in pts who are not receiving TBI-containing conditioning regimen is still unclear. We evaluated prospectively the effect of Palifermin on mucositis prevention in 34 consecutive pts treated with HDCT and ASCT compared to an historical group of pts who did not receive Palifermin. Between 03/2005 and 05/2006, 34 pts (Group A) treated with Melphalan 200 (n=15) or BEAM (n=19) gave informed consent and received 6 injections of 0.06 mg/kg of Palifermin (3 days (d.) before HDCT and 3 d. following ASCT). Four were excluded from efficacy analysis, 2 of them due to Melphalan dose reduction and 2 due to early discontinuation of Palifermin. They were compared to 77 pts (Group B) treated with Melphalan 200 (n=43) or BEAM (n=34) from 2003 to 2005. WHO grading was used for toxicity assessment. The median age was 55 years in group A (Range 28–67) and 54 years in group B (Range 19–66). The median count of CD34 cells/kg infused was 4.2 millions (Range 1.96–23.9) in group A and 3.85 millions (Range 1.8–16.2) in group B. The median time for engraftment was the same in both groups and was respectively 11 d. for neutrophils (Range 8–12) and 11 d. for platelets (Range 8–13) in group A, 11 d. for neutrophils (Range 8–13) and 11 d. for platelets (Range 8–18) in group B. Severe oral mucositis (Grade 3 and 4) was lower in group A (17%) than in group B (44%). The incidence of grade 2 or more digestive mucositis was similar in the 2 groups (66% vs.60%) as well as the total opioid use (43% vs 57%). All patients but one in the group B developed fever. Fever of unknown origin were more frequent in group A due to less fever attributed to grade 3 or 4 mucositis.In group A, all but 3 pts developed toxicities. Grade 3 or 4 toxicities consisted in erythematous rash in 15 pts (44%), generalized oedema in 2 and odynophagia in 1. Grade 1 or 2 toxicities were pruritis (24%), rash (32%), localized oedema (26%) and buccal discomfort (41%). 1 pt died at d.12 from an hemophagocytic syndroma and onother at d.90 from a rapidly progressive colorectal cancer. We conclude that the use of Palifermin reduced the incidence of grade 3 or 4 mucositis in our group of pts treated without TBI, but did not decrease either digestive mucositis or the use of morphinic. The benefit of Palifermin on mucositis prevention has still to be balanced again the risk of discomfort and toxicities of this drug. Large randomized studies are still needed before recommending the systematic administration of Palifermin to pts receiving Melphalan 200 or BEAM as conditioning regimen before ASCT.

Infectious complications in transplanted patients (pts) motivate recommendations that autologous stem cell transplantation (ASCT) should be carried out in special rooms endowed with positive pressure and high-efficiency particulate air filtration (HEPA) filters. However growing indications for ASCT and cost restrictions prompt to lighten the procedure without compromising the safety. We report here 59 consecutive and non-selected ASCTs performed from 2/00 to 4/04 in conventional single rooms (without positive pressure air filtration) to analyze early toxicity, infectious complications and 100-days (d.) transplant related death (TRD). High-dose chemotherapy (HDC) and ASCT were administered for non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma (n=39), multiple myeloma (n=13) and Hodgkin’s lymphoma (n=2). Five pts with multiple myeloma received double ASCT. Median (med.) age was 54 years (range 22–71). Med. number (nb.) of previous lines of treatment was 1 (range 1–6). Thirty-nine pts were intensified in 1st remission (26 CR, 11 PR, 2 MR), 12 in 2nd remission (10 CR, 2 PR), 1 in 3rd CR and 2 in either SD or refractory relapse. Except for amphotericin-B mouthwashes and oral valacyclovir in case of HSV seropositivity, no systemic prophylactic antibiotic (abt) was used. The med. nb. of reinfused stem cells was 3.7x106 CD34+/kg (1.86–33.3). One pt received 0.94x106 CD34+ cells/kg combined with bone marrow. G-CSF was started at day 7 (2–15) after transplant. Med. time to achieve an absolute neutrophil count >0.5x109/L and >1.0x109/L was respectively (resp.) 10 d. (8–13) and 11 d. (8–13). Med. time to spontaneous platelet count >20x109/L and >50x109/L was resp. 11 d. (0–28) and 13 d. (9–81). The med. nb. of red cells and platelets transfusions was resp. 2 (0–12) and 2 (0–25). Except five pts, all developed fever (>38.3°C) and 56 out of the 59 pts received abt for a med. duration of 12 d. (1–46). Twenty-six pts (44%) had fever without any documented infection. Grade3/4 infections were diagnosed in 27 pts (46%). One patient presented candidemia. No case of aspergillosis was observed. Two pts (3%) needed transient transfer to the intensive care unit because of septicemia with reversible cardio-respiratory failure. The med duration of hospitalization was 20 d. (2–75), and was

We analyzed the clinical and biological prognostic factors for efficacy and described the toxicity of treatment by study arm for 306 patients participating in two identical and parallel trials, one in follicular (FL) and one in mantle cell lymphoma (MCL). Chemotherapy naïve or pre-treated patients were treated with 4 weekly doses of rituximab (induction). Those responding or with stable disease were randomized to either no further treatment (arm A) or 4 more doses of rituximab given at 2-month intervals (arm B). Characteristics of the patients (4 variables), previous treatment (6 variables), disease (9 variables), histology (26 variables), blood cell counts (6 variables), lymphocytes subsets (5 variables), blood chemistry values (8 variables) and Fc receptor phenotype (3 variables) were collected at trial entry and during follow-up.We constructed multivariate models to identify prognostic factors for response and for event-free survival (EFS). In 273 eligible and evaluable cases the response rate was 44%. In these patients, the favorable prognostic factors for response were a disease diameter < 5 cm (odds ratio =2.5, p=0.0006), a follicular histology (OR=2.4, p=0.0029), a normal hemoglobin (OR= 2.4, p=0.0033) and a low blood lymphocyte count (OR=2.0, p=0.02), all determined at treatment start. At a median follow up of 54 months, the EFS for all 212 randomized cases was 9.1 months in arm A and 15.4 months in arm B (p=0.005). Factors prognostic for EFS in a multivariate model based on 162 patients were: having responded to rituximab induction (hazard ratio=0.44, p