18F-FDG-PET/CT response after first-line treatment as a prognostic factor for survival in peripheral T-cell lymphoma: a Spanish retrospective study.

BACKGROUND: An accurate assessment of tumor viability after first-line treatment is critical for predicting treatment failure in peripheral T-cell lymphomas (PTCLs). 18F-fluorodeoxyglucose (18F-FDG) positron emission tomography/computed tomography (PET/CT) has been adopted as the preferred assessment method in clinical trials, but its impact in clinical practice should be examined. This study aims to determine the prognostic significance of18F-FDG-PET/CT for survival following first-line treatment in PTCL patients. RESEARCH DESIGN AND METHODS: Retrospective observational study including 175 patients diagnosed with PTCL between 2008 and 2013 in 13 Spanish sites. RESULTS: Fifty patients were evaluated with18F-FDG-PET/CT following first-line therapy: 58% were18F-FDG-PET/CT-negative and 42% were18F-FDG-PET/CT-positive. Disease progression occurred in 37.9% of18F-FDG-PET/CT-negative patients and in 80.9% of18F-FDG-PET/CT-positive patients (p = 0.0037). Median progression-free survival and overall survival were 67 and 74 months for18F-FDG-PET/CT-negative patients, and 5 (p < 0.0001) and 10 months (p < 0.0001), respectively, in18F-FDG-PET/CT-positive patients. After multivariate analysis, only B symptoms emerged as a negative predictive factor of complete response (RR 7.08; 95% CI 1.60-31.31; p = 0.001). CONCLUSIONS: 18F-FDG-PET/CT identifies high-risk PTCL patients who will have poor prognosis and survival following first-line treatment. However, more research is needed to confirm the best treatment options for PTCL patients.

Allogeneic Blood or Marrow Transplantation with Post-Transplantation Cyclophosphamide for Peripheral T Cell Lymphoma: The Importance of Graft Source.

The use of post-transplantation cyclophosphamide (PTCy) for graft-versus host-disease (GVHD) prophylaxis has revolutionized allogeneic blood or marrow transplantation (alloBMT), but there is limited published experience in peripheral T cell lymphoma (PTCL). We sought to assess outcomes in patients with PTCL who underwent alloBMT with PTCy. We reviewed the charts of all adult patients age ≥18 years who underwent alloBMT with nonmyeloablative conditioning and PTCy-based GVHD prophylaxis at the Sidney Kimmel Comprehensive Cancer Center between January 2004 and December 2020. Sixty-five patients were identified. The median age was 59 years (range, 24 to 75 years). Lymphoma histology included PTCL not otherwise specified (n = 24), anaplastic lymphoma kinase-negative anaplastic large cell lymphoma (n = 14), angioimmunoblastic T cell lymphoma (n = 7), enteropathy-associated T cell lymphoma (n = 6), hepatosplenic T cell lymphoma (n = 4), and others (n = 10). Eleven patients were in first complete remission (17%); the remaining patients were in first partial remission or underwent salvage therapy to at least PR prior to transplantation. Forty-eight patients underwent alloBMT from a haploidentical related donor (74%), 10 from a fully matched donor (15%), and 7 from a mismatched unrelated donor (11%). All patients received fludarabine, cyclophosphamide, and total body irradiation (TBI). The graft source was bone marrow (BM) in 46 patients (71%) and peripheral blood (PB) in 19 patients (29%); all patients in the BM cohort received 200 cGy TBI, and most patients in the PB cohort (15 of 19) received 400 cGy TBI. GVHD prophylaxis comprised PTCy, mycophenolate mofetil, and a calcineurin inhibitor or sirolimus. With a median follow-up of 2.8 years (range, 290 days to 14.2 years), the 2-year progression-free survival (PFS) for the entire cohort was 49% (95% confidence interval [CI], 38% to 64%), and the 2-year overall survival (OS) was 55% (95% CI, 44% to 69%). Outcomes were significantly improved in those receiving PB compared to those receiving BM, including a 2-year PFS of 79% (95% CI 63% to 100%) versus 39% (95% CI, 27% to 56%), 2-year OS of 84% (95% CI, 69% to 100%) versus 46% (95% CI, 33% to 63%), and 1-year cumulative incidence of relapse of 5% (95% CI, 0 to 16%) versus 33% (95% CI, 19% to 46%), with no difference in GVHD and nonrelapse mortality. AlloBMT with PTCy is safe and well-tolerated in patients with PTCL. Our data suggest that increasing the TBI dose to 400 cGy and using PB allografts may offer improved disease control and better survival outcomes, though additional studies are needed to confirm these findings.

Eficacia y seguridad de uso de brentuximab para el tratamiento de linfoma periférico de células T, subtipo anaplásico de células grandes sistémico, CD30 positivo y ALK negativo, en pacientes sin tratamiento previo / Efficacy and safety of using brentuximab for the treatment of peripheral t-cell lymphoma, systemic anaplastic large cell subtype, cd30 positive and alk negative, in treatment-naïve patients

ANTECEDENTES: Este dictamen ha sido elaborado en el marco de la metodología ad hoc para evaluar solicitudes de tencologías sanitarias, la cual fue aprobada mediante la Resolución N° 111-IETSI-ESSALUD-2021 del Instituto de Evaluación de Tecnologías en Salud e Investigación (IETSI). Bajo dicho contexto, el presente documento expone la evaluación de la eficacia y seguridad del uso de brentuximab más quimioterapia para el tratamiento de linfoma periférico de células T, subtipo anaplásico de células grandes, sistémico, CD30+ ALK-, en pacientes sin tratamiento previo. ASPECTOS GENERALES: En el Dictamen Preliminar N° 003-SDEPFYOTS-DETS-IETSI-2017 se detalla los aspectos generales de los linfomas no Hodgkin de células T anaplásicos. Brevemente, los linfomas son neoplasias del sistema linfático. Éstos se dividen en los linfomas de ........ Hodgkin (LH) y linfomas no Hodgkin (LNH). Específicamente, dentro de los LNH, los 04. linfomas periféricos de células T (LPCT) son agresivos y raros y se encuentran dentro del grupo de los trastornos linfoproliferativos CD30 positivo que afectan a los ganglios linfáticos y las regiones extraganglionares. Por otro lado, los linfomas anaplásicos de células grandes (ALCL, por sus siglas en inglés) constituyen aproximadamente el 3 % de los LNH y cerca del 15 % de los linfomas periféricos (Morton et al., 2006). La presencia de la mutación (translocación cromosómica) en el gen ALK se ha asociado con un mejor pronóstico clínico que aquellos tumores que no presentan dicha mutación (ALK negativo). En un análisis de sobrevida a los cincos años, publicado por Gayscone et al., se observó que la sobrevida de los pacientes ALK positivo era de aproximadamente 93 %, mientras que en los pacientes ALK negativo éste fue de alrededor de 37 %. Asimismo, se estima que aproximadamente el 60 % de los ALCL, CD30 positivo son ALK positivo (Gascoyne et al., 1999). En general, los pacientes con ALCL tienen características clínicas similares a otros linfomas agresivos con adenopatías de rápido crecimiento, y aproximadamente dos tercios de los pacientes debutan con estadio III o IV y compromiso extra-nodal (Kadin & Carpenter, 2003). El ALCL representa cerca del 3 % de los LNH en adultos y del 10 al 20 % de los LNH en niños. No obstante, el ALCL ALK negativo suele ocurrir en adultos mayores con una edad media de 55 años (Stein et al., 2000). METODOLOGÍA: Se realizó una búsqueda de la literatura con respecto a la eficacia y seguridad del uso de brentuximab en el tratamiento de linfoma de células T anaplásico, ALK negativo. Esta búsqueda se realizó utilizando las bases de datos PubMed, Cochrane Library y LILACS. Adicionalmente, se realizó una búsqueda manual del listado de referencias bibliográficas de los estudios seleccionados a fin de identificar otros estudios que pudieran ser útiles para la presente evaluación. Por otro lado, se amplió la búsqueda revisando la evidencia generada por grupos internacionales que realizan revisiones sistemáticas (RS), evaluación de tecnologías sanitarias (ETS) y guías de práctica clínica (GPC), tales como el Cochrane Group, The National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE), The Agency for Health Care Research and Quality (AHRQ), The Scottish Medicines Consortium (SMC), y The Canadian Agency for Drugs and Technologies in Health (CADTH). Esta búsqueda se completó revisando publicaciones de grupos dedicados a la educación, investigación y mejora de la práctica clínica oncológica y hematológica dentro de América y Europa, como The National Comprehensive Cancer Network (NCCN), The American Society of Clinical Oncology (ASCO), The European Society of Medical Oncology (ESMO), y The American Society of Hematology (ASH). Finalmente, se hizo una búsqueda adicional en la página web del registro de ensayos clínicos administrado por la Biblioteca Nacional de Medicina de los Estados Unidos (https://clinicaltrials.gov/) y The International Clinical Trial Registry Platform (ICTRP) (https://apps.who.int/trialsearch/), para poder identificar ensayos clínicos en curso o cuyos resultados no hayan sido publicados para, de este modo, disminuir el riesgo de sesgo de publicación. Las estrategias de la búsqueda para identificar la evidencia de ensayos clínicos aleatorizados (ECA) se encuentran en las Tablas 1, 2 y 3 del Material Suplementario. La búsqueda de literatura consideró GPC, priorizando aquellas que elaboraran recomendaciones basadas en la evidencia; considerando además aquellas guías de referencia para los servicios de oncología y hematología de la institución; ETS; revisiones sistemáticas con meta-análisis de ECA; y ECA que abordaran la pregunta PICO del presente dictamen. Se incluyeron las publicaciones en inglés y español. Se excluyeron los ensayos clínicos no aleatorizados, los estudios observacionales, las series de casos, los reportes de casos, las cartas al editor, los comentarios, las editoriales y los resúmenes de congresos. La selección de los estudios fue llevada a cabo en dos fases. La primera fase por título y resúmenes fue realizada por dos evaluadores de manera independiente a través del aplicativo web Rayyan (https://rayyan.qcri.org), la cual permitió preseleccionar los estudios a incluir y/o los que requerían más información para decidir. La segunda fase fue realizada por un evaluador y consistió en la revisión de los criterios de elegibilidad empleando el texto completo de los estudios que fueron preseleccionados. RESULTADOS: La búsqueda de literatura permitió identificar seis publicaciones que aportan información de relevancia para fines de la presente actualización: dos GPC, la guía de National Comprehensive Cancer Network (NCCN, 2021) y la guía de British Society for Hematology(Fox et al., 2021); dos ETS(CADTH, 2020; NICE, 2020), y dos publicaciones del ECA ECHELON-2 (Horwitz et al., 20191, 2021). Este ensayo ha sido utilizado como la evidencia central en las recomendaciones de las GPC y en las ETS, y es considerado como la evidencia central de la presente evaluación. CONCLUSIÓN: Por todo lo expuesto, el IETSI no aprueba el uso de brentuximab para el diagnóstico de linfoma periférico de células T, anaplásico de células grandes sistémico, CD30 positivo y ALK negativo, en pacientes sin tratamiento previo.

Structural and diffusion weighted MRI demonstrates responses to ibrutinib in a mouse model of follicular helper (Tfh) T-cell lymphoma.

Recent analyses of the genetics of peripheral T-cell lymphoma (PTCL) have shown that a large proportion of cases are derived from normal follicular helper (Tfh) T-cells. The sanroque mouse strain bears a mutation that increases Tfh cell number and heterozygous animals (Roquinsan/+) develop lymphomas similar to human Tfh lymphoma. Here we demonstrate the usefulness of Roquinsan/+ animals as a pre-clinical model of Tfh lymphoma. Long latency of development and incomplete penetrance in this strain suggests the lymphomas are genetically diverse. We carried out preliminary genetic characterisation by whole exome sequencing and detected tumor specific mutations in Hsp90ab1, Ccnb3 and RhoA. Interleukin-2-inducible kinase (ITK) is expressed in Tfh lymphoma and is a potential therapeutic agent. A preclinical study of ibrutinib, a small molecule inhibitor of mouse and human ITK, in established lymphoma was carried out and showed lymphoma regression in 8/12 (67%) mice. Using T2-weighted MRI to assess lymph node volume and diffusion weighted MRI scanning as a measure of function, we showed that treatment increased mean apparent diffusion coefficient (ADC) suggesting cell death, and that change in ADC following treatment correlated with change in lymphoma volume. We suggest that heterozygous sanroque mice are a useful model of Tfh cell derived lymphomas in an immunocompetent animal.

The role of alisertib in treatment of peripheral T-cell lymphomas.

Peripheral T-cell lymphomas are aggressive lymphomas with poor outcomes for which novel treatments are urgently needed. Alisertib (MLN8237) is a second-generation oral Aurora A kinase inhibitor. Treatment with alisertib results in an accumulation of cells with abnormal mitotic spindles, leading to decreased proliferation and apoptosis in a range of human tumor cell lines. Alisertib has shown single-agent antitumor activity in animal xenograft models and promising antitumor activity alone or in combination with other agents in patients with solid and hematologic cancers, and T-cell lymphomas in particular. It is currently being tested in randomized controlled Phase III trials in relapsed/refractory peripheral T-cell lymphoma.

Preemptive leucovorin administration minimizes pralatrexate toxicity without sacrificing efficacy.

Balancing efficacy and safety of drugs is key for successful cancer therapy, as adverse reactions can prohibit the use of efficacious treatments. Pralatrexate (PDX) is a novel antifolate with a higher affinity for tumor cells than methotrexate, Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approved for use in relapsed and refractory peripheral T-cell lymphoma (PTCL) and transformed mycosis fungoides (T-MF). Patients with T-MF have a higher incidence of adverse events than patients with other lymphomas, necessitating a lower recommended dose of 15 mg/m(2) (vs. 30 mg/m(2) for PTCL). Dose-limiting toxicity (DLT) mucositis occurs in about 25% of patients with T-MF, but milder mucositis is observed in almost all patients with T-MF, frequently leading to therapy discontinuation despite clinical response. Leucovorin rescue is the standard of care for high-dose methotrexate therapy, but has not been studied or recommended for use with PDX. We report our clinical experience using leucovorin with PDX (30 mg/m(2)) with good clinical response and no DLTs. Prophylactic leucovorin deserves further investigation in prospective clinical trials to allow patients with cutaneous lymphomas to receive the full benefit of PDX therapy without intolerable toxicity.

Pralatrexate: a novel synthetic antifolate for relapsed or refractory peripheral T-cell lymphoma and other potential uses.

PURPOSE: The pharmacology, pharmacokinetics, clinical trials, adverse effects, dosage, and economic considerations of pralatrexate (PDX) are reviewed. SUMMARY: Peripheral T-cell lymphoma (PTCL) comprises approximately 15-20% of all aggressive lymphomas and 5-10% of all non-Hodgkin's lymphomas. Advanced PTCL is often refractory to traditional first-line chemotherapy regimens. PDX was developed as a synthetic folate analog antimetabolite that competitively inhibits dihydrofolate reductase (DHFR). This results in the depletion of thymidine, leading to interference with deoxyribonucleic acid synthesis and cancer cell death. PDX has a higher potency than methotrexate and edatrexate (EDX). The efficacy and safety of PDX have been demonstrated in the PROPEL trial, a prospective phase II trial in patients with relapsed or refractory PTCL. Patients with prior stem cell transplantation receiving PDX also had similar response rates (RRs). PDX was investigated on the treatment of relapsed or refractory cutaneous T-cell lymphoma, previously treated advanced non-small cell lung cancer and other solid malignancies. PDX has similar side effects to other DHFR inhibitors. The most common side effect of PDX is mucositis. The recommended dose of PDX is 30 mg/m(2) weekly once for 6 weeks in 7-week cycle until disease progresses or unacceptable toxicity for PTCL and may require dose reduction or discontinuation. Patients should be supplemented with oral folic acid and intramuscular vitamin B(12) injections. CONCLUSION: PDX provides clinical benefit to patients with relapsed or refractory PTCL with durable complete and partial responses in patients who had not responded to multiple prior treatment regimens.

Therapies for peripheral T-cell lymphomas.

Peripheral T-cell lymphomas (PTCLs) are a rare and heterogeneous group of disorders that, for the most part, are associated with a very poor prognosis. The standard therapy for PTCLs is CHOP (cyclophosphamide, doxorubicin, vincristine, and prednisone) or a comparable CHOP-like regimen that incorporates anthracyclines. With the exception of anaplastic lymphoma kinase-positive anaplastic large cell lymphoma (ALK(+) ALCL), the cure rate for PTCLs with CHOP is low, and limited evidence suggests that anthracyclines do not improve the prognosis. However, there is no compelling evidence that any other regimen or approach is superior. It remains challenging to compare alternative therapies or treatment strategies with CHOP because the majority of data are retrospective and include diverse patient populations. Recently, prospective studies have been initiated exclusively for PTCL, and in some, select histologic subtypes are evaluated in an effort to remove heterogeneity. Encouragingly, there have been several new therapies emerging with activity in PTCLs and exciting novel combinations under consideration that will hopefully move the field forward and improve outcome in this challenging group of diseases.

Enhancing existing approaches to peripheral T-cell lymphoma.

The National Comprehensive Cancer Network (NCCN) practice guidelines for peripheral T-cell lymphoma (PTCL) accentuate the lack of standard treatment options for this disease. Outcomes with conventional therapies, many of which are borrowed from B-cell lymphoma, are poor. Strategies to enhance existing approaches include creating a new platform for first-line therapy and adding novel agents, such as denileukin diftitox, to existing chemotherapy platforms. Furthermore, to improve outcomes, patients must reach transplant through effective first-line therapies. Additionally, treatment should be individualized based on histopathologic subtype, as all PTCL patients will not respond to the same treatment regimen.

Preliminary observations of a phase II study of reduced-dose alemtuzumab treatment in patients with pretreated T-cell lymphoma.

We assessed the impact of a reduced-dose (10 mg x 3/week for 4 weeks) schedule of alemtuzumab in 10 patients with pretreated cutaneous/peripheral T-cell lymphomas. The overall response rate was 60% (2 complete responses and 4 partial responses). In terms of infectious toxicity, cytomegalovirus reactivation occurred in 1 (10%) patient.

Therapy with gemcitabine in pretreated peripheral T-cell lymphoma patients.

BACKGROUND: Gemcitabine is a novel nucleoside analogue which has shown promising results in most solid tumors; like the arabinosylcytosine analogue, gemcitabine may be an active drug in lymphoproliferative malignancies. We tested it in pretreated peripheral T-cell lymphoma patients with isolated skin involvement. PATIENTS AND METHODS: We performed a phase II study with the drug in 13 pretreated patients with peripheral T-cell lymphoma, five of whom had advanced-stage mycosis fungoides (MF), and eight peripheral T-cell lymphoma unspecified (PTCLU). Patients were treated on days 1, 8, and 15 of a 28-day schedule at the dosage of 1200 mg/m2 for a total of three courses. RESULTS: Of the 13 patients, one achieved complete response (CR) and eight achieved partial responses (PR); the remaining four showed no benefit from the treatment. Among the responders, one CR and four PR were documented in the PTCLU patients and four PR in MF patients. Treatment was well tolerated; hematologic toxicity was mild and no nausea/vomiting or organ toxicity was recorded. CONCLUSIONS: In view of its significant activity and its modest toxicity profile, the role of gemcitabine deserves further evaluation in the management of pretreated patients with peripheral T-cell lymphoma.