Characteristics and Management of TP53-Mutated Diffuse Large B-Cell Lymphoma Patients

Background/aim TP53 mutation is recognized as a negative prognostic factor for patients with diffuse large B-cell lymphoma (DLBCL). Here, we present the characteristics of TP53 mut DLBCL patients following investigation of the effect of a treatment approach on survival of TP53 mut DLBCL patients. Methods A total of 44 DLBCL patients with TP53 mut and treated with an R-CHOP regimen were included for analysis. Patients who failed to achieve a complete response (CR) to initial treatment or relapsed in the first 6 months after initial CR were deemed to have primary refractory disease. Results Among 44 patients harboring TP53 mutations who underwent upfront R-CHOP or R-CHOP-like treatment, 21 (47.7%) had limited-stage and 23 (52.3%) presented advanced-stage disease. Apart from the seven patients receiving upfront surgical resection, 37 had measurable disease under the R-CHOP regimen, with 59.1% (n=26) developing primary refractory disease. Seven limited-stage patients after early complete resection and one with residue resection remained event-free at median follow-up of 37 months. Multivariate analysis revealed that elevated baseline lactate dehydrogenase (LDH), extranodal involvement (two or more), Ann Arbor stage, and locoregional treatment (surgery or radiation therapy) were independent indicators for progression-free survival (PFS). After adjustment for baseline LDH and extranodal involvement, adding locoregional treatment including surgery and radiation to the R-CHOP regimen significantly improved PFS (p=0.008) and overall survival (p=0.017) in limited-stage TP53 mut DLBCL patients compared to R-CHOP-only treatment. Conclusion This study presents the characteristics of TP53-mutated DLBCL and implies a potential benefit of locoregional treatment in limited-stage DLBCL patients with TP53 mutations.