STX11 functions as a novel tumor suppressor gene in peripheral T-cell lymphomas.

Peripheral T-cell lymphomas (PTCL) are a heterogeneous group of non-Hodgkin lymphomas with poor prognosis. Their molecular pathogenesis has not been entirely elucidated. We previously showed that 6q24 is one of the most frequently deleted regions in primary thyroid T-cell lymphoma. In this study, we extended the analysis to other subtypes of PTCL and performed functional assays to identify the causative genes of PTCL that are located on 6q24. Genomic loss of 6q24 was observed in 14 of 232 (6%) PTCL cases. The genomic loss regions identified at 6q24 always involved only two known genes, STX11 and UTRN. The expression of STX11, but not UTRN, was substantially lower in PTCL than in normal T-cells. STX11 sequence analysis revealed mutations in two cases (one clinical sample and one T-cell line). We further analyzed the function of STX11 in 14 cell lines belonging to different lineages. STX11 expression only suppressed the proliferation of T-cell lines bearing genomic alterations at the STX11 locus. Interestingly, expression of a novel STX11 mutant (p.Arg78Cys) did not exert suppressive effects on the induced cell lines, suggesting that this mutant is a loss-of-function mutation. In addition, STX11-altered PTCL not otherwise specified cases were characterized by the presence of hemophagocytic syndrome (67% vs 8%, P = 0.04). They also tended to have a poor prognosis compared with those without STX11 alteration. These results suggest that STX11 plays an important role in the pathogenesis of PTCL and they may contribute to the future development of new drugs for the treatment of PTCL.

Multicenter cooperative case survey of hepatitis B virus reactivation by chemotherapeutic agents.

AIM: The purpose of this multicenter cooperative study was to elucidate the clinical features of hepatitis B virus (HBV) reactivation by chemotherapeutic agents and the patient outcomes after HBV reactivation by a retrospective review of accumulated patients' medical records. METHODS: Records of a total of 27 patients (hematological malignancy, 14 patients; solid tumor, 13 patients) from 11 institutions who were diagnosed between June 2005 and October 2010 as having HBV reactivation following chemotherapy were reviewed. RESULTS: Of the 27 patients with reactivation, 16 patients were hepatitis B surface antigen (HBsAg) positive and 11 were HBsAg negative prior to the commencement of chemotherapy. Of the 11 patients who were HBsAg negative prior to the chemotherapy, 10 had hematological malignancies and one had a solid tumor. Of the 14 patients with hematological malignancies with HBV reactivation enrolled in the study, the reactivation occurred more than 12 months after the completion of chemotherapy in five patients (36%); on the other hand, none of the patients (0%) with solid tumors developed HBV reactivation more than 12 months after the completion of chemotherapy. Of the 24 patients who had acute liver dysfunction at the diagnosis of HBV reactivation, nine (38%) had severe hepatitis and seven (29%) died of liver failure. CONCLUSION: Most of the patients with HBV reactivation who were HBsAg negative prior to the chemotherapy had underlying hematological malignancies. Furthermore, patients with hematological malignancies often developed late-onset HBV reactivation. The prognosis of patients who develop acute liver dysfunction as a complication of HBV reactivation is extremely dismal.

Japan Clinical Oncology Group (JCOG) prognostic index and characterization of long-term survivors of aggressive adult T-cell leukaemia-lymphoma (JCOG0902A).

This study evaluated the clinical features of 276 patients with aggressive adult T-cell leukaemia-lymphoma (ATL) in 3 Japan Clinical Oncology Group (JCOG) trials. We assessed the long-term survivors who survived >5 years and constructed a prognostic index (PI), named the JCOG-PI, based on covariates obtained by Cox regression analysis. The median survival time (MST) of the entire cohort was 11 months. In 37 patients who survived >5 years, no disease-related deaths in 10 patients with lymphoma-type were observed in contrast to the 10 ATL-related deaths in other types. In multivariate analysis of 193 patients, the JCOG-PI based on corrected calcium levels and performance status identified moderate and high risk groups with an MST of 14 and 8 months respectively (hazard ratio, 1·926). The JCOG-PI was reproducible in an external validation. Patients with lymphoma-type who survived >5 years might have been cured. The JCOG-PI is valuable for identifying patients with extremely poor prognosis and will be useful for the design of future trials combining new drugs or investigational treatment strategies.

Primary peripheral T-cell lymphoma, not otherwise specified of the thyroid with autoimmune thyroiditis.

Primary peripheral T-cell lymphoma, not otherwise specified (PTCL-NOS) of the thyroid is an extremely rare neoplasm. Six cases of primary PTCL-NOS of the thyroid were analysed for clinicopathological features and genomic alteration patterns using oligo-array comparative genomic hybridization. All patients had a diffusely enlarged thyroid and three cases showed leukaemic manifestation. Five of the six cases had anti-thyroid antibodies and the remaining case showed hypothyroidism, suggesting that all cases had autoimmune thyroiditis. Except for one early relapsed case, the remaining five patients are alive and three of these five individuals have survived for 70 months or more. Interestingly, two cases showed spontaneous regressions after partial thyroid biopsy without any therapy. Leukaemic manifestation disappeared after irradiation of the thyroid mass in another two cases. The tumour cells were positive for CD3, CD4 and CXCR3 in all cases, suggesting that the tumour cells are of a type 1 helper T-cell origin. All six cases showed genomic alterations that were different from those previously reported for PTCL-NOS. The loss of 6q24·2 was characteristic and was detected in four of the six cases. These results suggest that primary PTCL-NOS of the thyroid arising from autoimmune thyroiditis is a distinct disease entity among heterogeneous PTCL-NOS.

Lymphoma study group of JCOG.

The Lymphoma Study Group (LSG) of the Japan Clinical Oncology Group (JCOG) was initiated in 1978 by five institutions and now has 47 members. JCOG-LSG has focused on combined modalities, dose intensification and the incorporation of new agents for major disease entities of lymphoid malignancies. More than 30 trials including 10 randomized trials have been conducted for aggressive non-Hodgkin's lymphoma (NHL), adult T-cell leukemia-lymphoma (ATL), lymphoblastic lymphoma/acute lymphoblastic leukemia, Hodgkin's lymphoma (HL), multiple myeloma, NK/T-NHL and indolent B-NHL, and correlative epidemiological and pathological studies have been performed on human T-lymphotropic virus type-I and T/B cell phenotypes. The first trials for aggressive NHL revealed significant differences in the prognosis of ATL, non-ATL T-NHLs and B-NHLs, establishing a subclassification of ATL, and leading to the establishment of standard therapies for ATL and localized nasal natural killer/T-NHL. Recently, for B-NHLs including diffuse large B-cell lymphoma, mantle cell lymphoma, and indolent B-NHLs, regimens incorporating rituximab have been evaluated. The JCOG-LSG trials for HL led to the approval of dacarbazine for the National Health Insurance in Japan. The multicenter trials by the JCOG-LSG combining new modalities such as molecular-targeting agents will contribute to further improvements in the treatment of lymphoid malignancies.

Phase II study of intensive post-remission chemotherapy and stem cell transplantation for adult acute lymphoblastic leukemia and lymphoblastic lymphoma: Japan Clinical Oncology Group Study, JCOG9402.

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the efficacy and safety of intensive post-remission chemotherapy for untreated patients aged 15-69 years with adult acute lymphoblastic leukemia and lymphoblastic lymphoma in a multicenter Phase II study. METHODS: The chemotherapy regimen consisted of induction, post-remission and maintenance for 2 years. The primary endpoint was 5-year progression-free survival, and secondary endpoints included complete remission rate, overall survival and adverse events. Among 115 patients enrolled, 108 eligible patients [median age, 33.5 years (range, 15-69)] including 96 acute lymphoblastic leukemia and 12 lymphoblastic lymphoma were assessed. Other major characteristics were male 50%, T-cell phenotype 21%, Philadelphia chromosome 22%, B-symptom+ 35% and performance status 2/3 22%. RESULTS: Eighty-seven patients achieved complete remission (81%; 95% confidence interval 72-88%), while five (5%) died during the chemotherapy protocol. The median overall survival and progression-free survival were 1.8 years (95% confidence interval, 1.5-2.6) and 1.2 years (95% confidence interval, 0.8-1.6), respectively. Their 5-year overall survival and progression-free survival were 29 and 28%, respectively. The 5-year overall survival of 31 patients who underwent allogeneic (n = 19) or autologous (n = 12) stem cell transplantation during first complete response was 51%. Major non-hematologic toxicities of Grade 3 or greater were infections (21%) and pulmonary complications (6%). When compared with the investigators' previous Phase II trials, JCOG9402 improved progression-free survival and overall survival when compared with JCOG8702; however, it did not show improvement when compared with JCOG9004. CONCLUSIONS: Although the intensified induction and post-remission chemotherapy was feasible and 28% of the patients with adult acute lymphoblastic leukemia or lymphoblastic lymphoma achieved long-term progression-free survival, JCOG9402 did not show improvement.

Clinical characteristics of patients with B-cell lymphoma enrolled in clinical trials for aggressive lymphoma in Japan: Japan Clinical Oncology Group - Lymphoma Study Group study - JCOG0108A.

The clinical characteristics of B-cell lymphoma (BCL) were studied through the combined analysis of six clinical trials conducted by the Japan Clinical Oncology Group - Lymphoma Study Group (JCOG-LSG) for aggressive lymphoma in the 1990s, before the introduction of rituximab. Through a central pathological review, 829 patients were diagnosed with BCL according to the World Health Organization classification and treated with doxorubicin-containing combination chemotherapies. Of these patients, 642, 104, 30, and 24 patients were diagnosed with diffuse large B-cell lymphoma (DLBCL), follicular lymphoma (FL), mantle cell lymphoma (MCL), and marginal zone lymphoma (MZL), respectively. The overall survival (OS) of FL and MZL patients was higher than that of patients with DLBCL and MCL. The OS of the MCL patients was higher than that of DLBCL patients in the first 5 years, but MCL had the lowest survival after 5 years. The OS of DLBCL patients was clearly stratified by the international prognostic index and showed data compatible with that of aggressive lymphoma in the pre-rituximab era. These results established the clinical aspects of BCL in a large number of patients treated in prospective studies during the pre-rituximab era in Japan.

The status of antithymocyte globulin therapy for adult patients in Japan: retrospective analysis of a nationwide survey.

We conducted a nationwide survey on antithymocyte globulin (ATG) therapy for adult patients in Japan. We mailed questionnaires to 454 hospitals with hematology divisions, of which 181 (40%) responded, and the records of 448 patients were collected. Patient characteristics, hematological responses, and adverse effects were evaluated in 421 patients with sufficient data. A total of 366 patients had idiopathic aplastic anemia (AA), 29 had other types of AA, and 25 had other diseases. The response rate (RR) at 6 months was 54% for all patients, and 53% for those with idiopathic AA. Ten patients (2%) died within 30 days, and 11 (3%) died between 31 and 100 days after ATG therapy. In 346 patients with moderate to very severe AA, who received their first ATG therapy, factors that influence the outcomes of ATG therapy were extracted. Among 11 pre-treatment and therapy-related variables, three were found to be correlated with a higher RR: shorter duration of AA, no history of specific therapy for AA, and the use of CsA. Most notably, the RR of patients treated within 3 months of diagnosis, those between 3 months and 2 years, and those later than 2 years were 68% (130/190), 48% (54/113), and 13% (5/38), respectively.

A phase II study of VEPA/FEPP chemotherapy for aggressive lymphoma in elderly patients: Japan Clinical Oncology Group Study JCOG9203.

The Lymphoma Study Group (LSG) of the Japan Clinical Oncology Group conducted a phase II trial of LSG12 therapy for 45 elderly patients with aggressive lymphoma to clarify whether LSG12 reduces severe infection without lowering the complete response (CR) rate in comparison with LSG4. LSG12, which consisted of a regimen of vincristine, cyclophosphamide, prednisolone, doxorubicin, vindesine, etoposide, and procarbazine (VEPA/FEPP), excluded bleomycin and methotrexate of LSG4 therapy, reduced the dosages of doxorubicin and cyclophosphamide, and increased etoposide and procarbazine dosages instead. Inclusion criteria consisted of a patient age of 70 to 75 years, a World Health Organization performance status of 0 to 2, and acceptable organ function. The treatment was completed in 47% of the patients and terminated early for disease progression in 20% and for toxicity in 16%. The CR rate was 60% (95% confidence interval [CI], 44%-74%). The 5-year overall survival (OS) rate was 42% (95% CI, 27%-57%), and the median OS time was 4.3 years. Leukopenia of grade 3 to 4 occurred in 98% of the patients, and severe infection occurred in 9%. Eight patients with hepatitis C virus (HCV) antibody showed no severe hepatic toxicity and had a better CR or OS rate than the 37 HCV-negative patients. Although the outcomes of LSG12 met our expectations with a reduction in severe infection and equivalent CR and OS outcomes compared with LSG4 and CHOP (cyclophosphamide, doxorubicin, vincristine, and prednisolone), the possibility of a regimen more beneficial than LSG12 for aggressive lymphoma in the elderly patient should be explored because of frequent hematologic toxicity and poor compliance in LSG12.

Failure to detect Epstein-Barr virus (EBV) DNA in plasma by real-time PCR in a case of EBV-associated posttransplantation lymphoproliferative disorder confined to the central nervous system.

We report here a patient who developed multiple central nervous system (CNS) space-occupying lesions 6 months after bone marrow transplantation from an HLA-matched unrelated donor. He had extensive chronic graft-versus-host disease and severe thrombocytopenia. Posttransplantation lymphoproliferative disorder (PTLD) was diagnosed after biopsy of the lesion was facilitated by the transfusion of 40 units of platelets. Epstein-Barr virus (EBV) DNA was not initially detected in the peripheral blood by real-time polymerase chain reaction, and the blood became positive for EBV at a low level only after more than 6 weeks had passed since the initial identification of detectable intracranial lesions. The patient died of cerebral herniation while donor leukocyte infusion was being prepared, and an autopsy confirmed the diagnosis of EBV-associated PTLD restricted to the CNS.

Deoxycoformycin-containing combination chemotherapy for adult T-cell leukemia-lymphoma: Japan Clinical Oncology Group Study (JCOG9109).

Aggressive adult T-cell leukemia-lymphoma (ATL) generally has a very poor prognosis. Deoxycoformycin (DCF, pentostatin), an inhibitor of adenosine deaminase, has shown promising therapeutic efficacy for ATL. To develop a new effective therapy against aggressive ATL, we carried out a multicenter phase II study of DCF-containing combination chemotherapy. Sixty-two previously untreated patients with ATL (34, 21, and 7 patients with diseases of the acute, lymphoma, and unfavorable chronic types, respectively) were enrolled, but 2 were ineligible because they were judged to be favorable chronic types. A regimen of 1 mg/m2 vincristine intravenously on days 1 and 8, 40 mg/m2 doxorubicin intravenously on day 1, 100 mg/m2 etoposide intravenously on days 1 through 3, 40 mg/m2 prednisolone orally on days 1 and 2, and 5 mg/m2 DCF intravenously on days 8, 15, and 22 was administered every 28 days for 10 cycles unless disease progression or toxic complications occurred. Fifty-two percent of 60 eligible patients responded (95% confidence interval [CI], 38%-65%), with 17 patients (28%) achieving a complete response (CR) (95% CI, 17%-41%) and 14 achieving a partial response. The CR rate was inferior to those of both the previous Japan Clinical Oncology Group (JCOG) study (JCOG8701, 43%), a 9-drug combination chemotherapy of the second generation, and the subsequent JCOG9303 study (35%), a granulocyte colony-stimulating factor-supported, dose-intensified, 9-drug regimen. The median survival time of the 60 eligible patients in JCOG9109 was 7.4 months, and the estimated 2-year survival rate was 15.5%; these results were identical with those of JCOG8701 but inferior to those of JCOG9303. Grade 4 neutropenia and infection of grade 3 or greater were frequent (67% and 22%, respectively), and treatment-related death was observed in 4 patients (7%), septicemia in 2, and cytomegalovirus pneumonia in 2. We conclude that DCF-containing combination chemotherapy is not a promising regimen against aggressive ATL.

Phase III study of ranimustine, cyclophosphamide, vincristine, melphalan, and prednisolone (MCNU-COP/MP) versus modified COP/MP in multiple myeloma: a Japan clinical oncology group study, JCOG 9301.

To investigate whether combination chemotherapy with vincristine, cyclophosphamide, prednisolone, and melphalan (COP/ MP) with the addition of ranimustine (MCNU) (MCNU-COP/MP) is superior to the slightly modified COP/MP (mCOP/MP) regimen in multiple myeloma (MM), a multicenter randomized study was performed. Two hundred ten patients with newly diagnosed, overt MM not treated with chemotherapy were enrolled from 32 institutions of the Lymphoma Study Group of the Japan Clinical Oncology Group and were randomized to receive either MCNU-COP/MP or mCOP/MP. The response rate (RR) to mCOP/MP was 43.7% (95% confidence interval [CI], 33.9%-53.8%] and to MCNU-COP/MP was 56.1% (95% CI, 46.1%-65.7%) (P = .097). The progression-free survival (PFS) was significantly longer for patients treated with MCNU-COP/MP than for patients treated with mCOP/MP (median, 23.0 months [95% CI, 18.9-25.8] versus 15.8 months [95% CI, 14.1-19.4]) (P = .014). However, no significant difference in overall survival rate (OS) was observed between the groups (median, 49.9 months [95% CI, 40.4-59.1] versus 44.0 months [95%, CI, 32.8-59.8]) (P = .75). Grades 3 and 4 hematological toxicities were more frequently observed with MCNU-COP/MP than with mCOP/MP, but the incidence of grades 3 and 4 nonhematological toxicities was low in both groups. In conclusion, MCNU-COP/MP in comparison with mCOP/MP improved RR and PFS in overt MM; however, this outcome did not contribute to prolonging OS, indicating that addition of MCNU to mCOP/MP has no benefit on survival.

Prognostic significance of CD7+CD56+ phenotype and chromosome 5 abnormalities for acute myeloid leukemia M0.

Myeloid/natural killer (NK) cell precursor acute leukemia is an entity of acute leukemia characterized by poor prognosis and a CD7+CD56+ myeloid antigen+ phenotype without light-microscopic myeloperoxidase reactivity. This disease shares several clinical characteristics with acute myeloid leukemia (AML) M0. To clarify the relationship between these 2 leukemias, we analyzed 105 cases of AML M0. Among them, 17 were CD7+ and CD56+, 77 were negative for either antigen, and 11 could not be determined. CD7+CD56+ AML M0 showed onset at significantly lower patient age (median 46 versus 63 years, P = .004). The disease localization and the hematological manifestations were significantly different: CD7+CD56+ AML showed more frequent extramedullary involvement, fewer circulating leukemic blasts, less anemia, and less thrombocytopenia than did AML M0. The cytogenetic aberrations were also unique, because no 5q abnormalities were found in CD7+CD56+ M0. The prognosis of CD7+CD56+ M0 was poor in patients younger than 46 years (P = .03). Multivariate analysis showed that the CD7+CD56+ phenotype was a significant prognostic factor for AML M0, as well as age, circulating blast percentage, and chromosome 5 abnormalities These findings suggest that AML M0 consists of heterogeneous subgroups to be managed separately, and CD7+CD56+ M0 constitutes a distinct subtype of AML M0.

A randomized controlled trial investigating the survival benefit of dose-intensified multidrug combination chemotherapy (LSG9) for intermediate- or high-grade non-Hodgkin's lymphoma: Japan Clinical Oncology Group Study 9002.

The effect of enhancing the dose intensity (DI) of the key drugs in multidrug combination chemotherapy for malignant lymphoma is uncertain. We investigated the survival benefit of dose-intensified multidrug combination chemotherapy for intermediate- or high-grade non-Hodgkin's lymphoma (NHL). Patients without any prior chemotherapy were randomly assigned either to dose-intensified multidrug combination chemotherapy, LSG9 (VEPA-B/FEPP-AB/M-FEPA, treated 3 times every 10 weeks for 28 weeks total), or to control-arm combination chemotherapy, mLSG4 (VEPA-B/FEPP-B/M-FEPA, treated 4 times every 14 weeks for 54 weeks total). The planned DI of doxorubicin and cyclophosphamide were 1.96 and 1.47 times higher, respectively, in LSG9 than in mLSG4. Overall survival, complete response (CR) rate, and toxicities were evaluated. The 447 patients (230 for LSG9 and 217 for mLSG4) were enrolled between February 1991 and March 1995. The 5-year overall survival rates were 56.8% for LSG9 patients and 55.1% for mLSG4 patients (log-rank P = .42). The rates for CR plus uncertain CR were 70.0% for LSG9 and 64.5% for mLSG4. The toxicities of both regimens were similar and tolerable. The median actual DI of doxorubicin and cyclophosphamide were 1.56 and 1.17 times higher, respectively, in LSG9 than in mLSG4. Compared with the control regimen mLSG4, the dose-intensified regimen LSG9 did not show significant survival benefit. An increase in the DI of doxorubicin in multidrug combination chemotherapy did not improve the survival of patients with intermediate- or high-grade NHL.

Meeting report on the possible proposal of an extranodal primary cutaneous variant in the lymphoma type of adult T-cell leukemia-lymphoma.

Based on the advances in research on the clinicopathophysiology of adult T-cell leukemia-lymphoma (ATL), Japanese researchers collected and evaluated cases of smoldering ATL exhibiting primary cutaneous manifestation but showing poor prognosis. Macroscopic findings of skin eruptions were categorized into the patch, plaque, multipapular, nodulotumoral, erythrodermic and purpuric types, as previously reported. Pathological findings were divided into low or high grade based on epidermotropism, tumor cell size and perivascular infiltration. Eight eligible cases were evaluated among 14 collected cases. Macroscopic findings were nodulotumoral in six cases, a subcutaneous tumor in one case and plaque in one case, and the number and size were heterogeneous in each case. Pathological findings of all eight cases were T-cell lymphoma, high-grade type (pleomorphic, medium or large size), with prominent perivascular infiltration and scant epidermotropism. To diagnose such cases as the "lymphoma type of ATL, extranodal primary cutaneous variant", it is essential to examine each case carefully, including cutaneous lesions at onset, lymph nodes and other organ involvement using computed tomography (CT) and/or positron emission tomography/CT, as well as the percentage of abnormal lymphocytes in peripheral blood. Based on the results of an ongoing nationwide survey on ATL, ATL with cutaneous lesions will be analyzed to investigate the incidence and prognosis of the so-called "lymphoma type of ATL, extranodal primary cutaneous variant".

Phase II study of ABV (doxorubicin with increased dose, bleomycin and vinblastine) therapy in newly diagnosed advanced-stage Hodgkin lymphoma: Japan Clinical Oncology Group study (JCOG9705).

The role of dacarbazine in ABVD (doxorubicin, bleomycin, vinblastine and dacarbazine) therapy in Hodgkin lymphoma (HL) remains unclear. This phase II study assessed the efficacy and safety of ABV therapy with an increased doxorubicin dose (30 mg/m(2)) in advanced-stage HL. The primary endpoint was complete response rate (%CR). Patients received six or eight cycles of ABV every 4 weeks followed by involved-field radiation therapy (IFRT) in residual disease and initial bulky mass. Seventy-two patients were enrolled. An interim analysis in 46 assessable patients showed that %CR had exceeded the stopping criteria.However, the 2-year progression-free survival (%PFS) rate of 49.4% (95% confidence interval [CI] 32.2-66.6) was markedly lower than the 79.2% PFS (95% CI 70.6-87.7) seen in our previously reported study (JCOG9305) of ABVd with two-thirds the dose of dacarbazine of the original ABVD. Therefore, the study was closed early. The %CR in the 70 eligible patients after ABV was 31.4% (95% CI 20.9-43.6) and was increased to 70.0% (95% CI 57.9-80.4) after the addition of IFRT. ABV was inferior to ABVd for PFS in patients with advanced HL, suggesting that dacarbazine is indispensable in ABVD/ABVd.

Phase II study of cyclophosphamide, doxorubicin, vincristine, prednisolone (CHOP) therapy for newly diagnosed patients with low- and low-intermediate risk, aggressive non-Hodgkin's lymphoma: final results of the Japan Clinical Oncology Group Study, JCOG9508.

The regimen of cyclophosphamide, doxorubicin, vincristine, and prednisolone, known as CHOP therapy, has been established as the standard treatment for aggressive non-Hodgkin's lymphoma (NHL). Although patients categorized as low (L) and low-intermediate (L-I) risk using the International Prognostic Index have favorable prognoses in Western countries, the efficacy and safety of CHOP therapy has not been prospectively evaluated in Japan. We conducted a phase II study of CHOP in L and L-I risk Japanese patients, evaluating overall survival (OS) as the primary endpoint. A total of 213 patients were enrolled and treated with eight courses of CHOP. Efficacy was evaluated in 168 eligible patients (L risk, 87; L-I risk, 81). Five-year OS rates in all eligible, L, and L-I risk patients were 68 % [95 % confidence interval (CI): 61-76 %], 73 % (95 % CI: 63-82 %), and 64 % (95 % CI: 53-74 %), respectively. The major toxicity observed was grade 4 neutropenia (64 %). Grade 4 non-hematological toxicities were observed as follows: one case each of paralytic ileus, convulsions, hypoxemia due to interstitial pneumonia, and reactivated fulminant hepatitis B. These results show reasonable efficacy and safety of the CHOP regimen in Japanese patients with lower risk aggressive NHL (UMIN-CTR Number C000000053).

Pretreatment total serum protein is a significant prognostic factor for the outcome of patients with peripheral T/natural killer-cell lymphomas.

Peripheral T- and NK-cell lymphomas (PT/NKCLs) are relatively rare, and few studies have validated the International Prognostic Index (IPI) for PT/NKCLs in prospective clinical trials. Histopathological specimens from 136 patients, enrolled in six prospective multicenter trials of doxorubicin-containing regimens, with PT/NKCLs were reviewed by six hematopathologists following the WHO classification. This combined analysis demonstrated that the IPI was not predictive of prognosis for patients with PT/NKCLs as previously shown by GELA. In a univariate analysis, low total serum protein (TP) and albumin levels, gastrointestinal tract involvement, and histologic subtype (extranodal NK/T-cell lymphoma, nasal type, and peripheral T-cell lymphoma, unspecified) were significantly associated with reduced survival. In a multivariate analysis, TP (p = 0.004) and histologic subtype (p = 0.024) remained significant. We discuss the need to establish the importance and meaning of TP and to develop new strategies for patients with PT/NKCLs allowing for TP, especially with worse histologic subtypes.

Phase II study of ABVd therapy for newly diagnosed clinical stage II-IV Hodgkin lymphoma: Japan Clinical Oncology Group study (JCOG 9305).

Although ABVD (doxorubicin, bleomycin, vinblastine and dacarbazine) therapy has been regarded as a standard of care for advanced-stage Hodgkin lymphoma (HL) since 1992, there has been no prospective data of ABVD therapy in Japan. To investigate the efficacy and safety of ABVd therapy with the lower dose of dacarbazine (250 mg/m(2)) in patients with newly diagnosed stage II-IV HL, Lymphoma Study Group of Japan Clinical Oncology Group conducted a phase II study. The primary endpoints were complete response rate (%CR) and progression-free survival (PFS). A total of 128 patients with age less than 70 years were enrolled and received 6-8 cycles of ABVd followed by radiation to initial bulky mass. The %CR in 118 eligible patients was 81.4% [95% confidence interval (CI) 73.1-87.9%]. Major toxicity was grade 4 neutropenia (45.3%). Grade 3 nausea/vomiting was the most frequent non-hematological toxicity (10.9%). Transient grade 4 constipation, infection (abscess), hypoxemia and hyperbilirubinemia were observed in 4 patients. No treatment-related death was observed. PFS and overall survival at 5 years were 78.4% (95% CI 70.9-85.9%) and 91.3% (95% CI 86.1-96.5%), respectively. In conclusion, ABVd is effective in Japanese patients with stage II-IV HL with acceptable toxicities (UMIN-CTR Number: C000000092).

Prognostic analysis and a new risk model for Hodgkin lymphoma in Japan.

The Japan Clinical Oncology Group conducted two multicenter phase II trials in 200 patients with advanced Hodgkin lymphoma (HL) in the 1990s. Among 181 patients whose histopathological specimens were available and reviewed by 6 hematopathologists, 167 (92.3%) were diagnosed with HL. Five-year overall survival (OS) among these 167 patients was 88.3%, including 89.2% among nodular sclerosis and 82.2% among mixed cellularity cases. International prognostic score was not closely associated with OS. Seven unfavorable prognostic factors for OS on univariate analysis were male, B symptoms, clinical stage of III or IV, elevated serum LDH, elevated alkaline phosphatase, elevated beta2-microglobulin, and pathological subtype (mixed cellularity and lymphocyte depletion). On multivariate analysis, male [HR 3.30 (95% CI 1.15-9.52, p = 0.027)] and elevated serum LDH [HR 2.41 (95% CI 1.07-5.43, p = 0.034)] were independent factors for OS. Based on these prognostic factors, the 5-year OS was 95.7% in the low-risk group (no adverse factor), 87.9% in the intermediate-risk group (1 adverse factor) and 73.3% in the high-risk group (2 adverse factors). This simple prognostic model for HL warrants further validation studies.