Publication
Outcome of patients older than 80 years with diffuse large B-cell lymphoma (DLBCL) treated with "standard" immunochemotherapy: A large retrospective study from 4 institutions
Journal Paper/Review - Jun 16, 2017
Gobba Stefania, Gaidano Gianluca, Pinotti Graziella, Hitz Felicitas, Stathis Anastasios, Aprile von Hohenstaufen Kathrin, Margiotta-Casaluci Gloria, Iacoboni Gloria, Cascione Luciano, Diem Stefan, Conconi Annarita, Gulden-Sala Wiebke, Moccia Alden A, Zucca Emanuele
Units
PubMed
Doi
Citation
Type
Journal
Publication Date
Issn Electronic
Brief description/objective
Little information is available on the very elderly patients with diffuse large B-cell lymphoma (DLBCL). We performed a retrospective analysis of 281 patients >80 years old with newly diagnosed DLBCL treated in 4 referral institutions in Switzerland and Northern Italy. Primary end points were overall survival, progression-free survival, and cause-specific survival. Systemic chemotherapy was given to 239 patients, and 119 of them received rituximab in their initial treatment. At a median follow-up of 5.5 years, 5-year progression-free survival was 26% (95% confidence interval [CI], 20-32%), 5-year overall survival was 31% (95% CI, 25-37%), and 5-year cause-specific survival was 48% (95% CI, 41-55%) for the entire cohort. Rituximab and/or anthracyclines as part of initial treatment were associated with improved outcome. Cause-specific survival in patients receiving both agents approximated 60% at 5 years. At multivariate analysis, rituximab use maintained a significant prognostic impact after controlling for age, performance status, stage, haemoglobin, and lactate dehydrogenase levels. The International Prognostic Index as well as the more recently proposed revised-International Prognostic Index and National Comprehensive Cancer Center Network-International Prognostic Index could discriminate patients with significantly different outcomes. Albeit very elderly and potentially frail, there may be a potential for cure in fit DLBCL patients ≥80 years old. Accurate selection of patients able to tolerate proper immunochemotherapy is crucial.