BET inhibitor trotabresib in heavily pretreated patients with solid tumors and diffuse large B-cell lymphomas.

Bromodomain and extraterminal proteins (BET) play key roles in regulation of gene expression, and may play a role in cancer-cell proliferation, survival, and oncogenic progression. CC-90010-ST-001 (NCT03220347) is an open-label phase I study of trotabresib, an oral BET inhibitor, in heavily pretreated patients with advanced solid tumors and relapsed/refractory diffuse large B-cell lymphoma (DLBCL). Primary endpoints were the safety, tolerability, maximum tolerated dose, and RP2D of trotabresib. Secondary endpoints were clinical benefit rate (complete response [CR] + partial response [PR] + stable disease [SD] of ≥4 months' duration), objective response rate (CR + PR), duration of response or SD, progression-free survival, overall survival, and the pharmacokinetics (PK) of trotabresib. In addition, part C assessed the effects of food on the PK of trotabresib as a secondary endpoint. The dose escalation (part A) showed that trotabresib was well tolerated, had single-agent activity, and determined the recommended phase 2 dose (RP2D) and schedule for the expansion study. Here, we report long-term follow-up results from part A (N = 69) and data from patients treated with the RP2D of 45 mg/day 4 days on/24 days off or an alternate RP2D of 30 mg/day 3 days on/11 days off in the dose-expansion cohorts (parts B [N = 25] and C [N = 41]). Treatment-related adverse events (TRAEs) are reported in almost all patients. The most common severe TRAEs are hematological. Toxicities are generally manageable, allowing some patients to remain on treatment for ≥2 years, with two patients receiving ≥3 years of treatment. Trotabresib monotherapy shows antitumor activity, with an ORR of 13.0% (95% CI, 2.8-33.6) in patients with R/R DLBCL (part B) and an ORR of 0.0% (95% CI, 0.0-8.6) and a CBR of 31.7% (95% CI, 18.1-48.1) in patients with advanced solid tumors (part C). These results support further investigation of trotabresib in combination with other anticancer agents.

Romidepsin-CHOEP followed by high-dose chemotherapy and stem-cell transplantation in untreated Peripheral T-Cell Lymphoma: results of the PTCL13 phase Ib/II study.

The standard treatment for young patients with untreated PTCLs is based on anthracycline containing-regimens followed by high-dose-chemotherapy and stem-cell-transplantation (HDT + SCT), but only 40% of them can be cured. Romidepsin, a histone-deacetylase inhibitor, showed promising activity in relapsed PTCLs; in first line, Romidepsin was added with CHOP. We designed a study combining romidepsin and CHOEP as induction before HDT + auto-SCT in untreated PTCLs (PTCL-NOS, AITL/THF, ALK-ALCL), aged 18-65 years. A phase Ib/II trial was conducted to define the maximum tolerated dose (MTD) of Ro-CHOEP, and to assess efficacy and safety of 6 Ro-CHOEP as induction before HDT. The study hypothesis was to achieve a 18-month PFS of 70%. Twenty-one patients were enrolled into phase Ib; 7 dose-limiting toxicities were observed, that led to define the MTD at 14 mg/ms. Eighty-six patients were included in the phase II. At a median follow-up of 28 months, the 18-month PFS was 46.2% (95%CI:35.0-56.7), and the 18-month overall survival was 73.1% (95%CI:61.6-81.7). The overall response after induction was 71%, with 62% CRs. No unexpected toxicities were reported. The primary endpoint was not met; therefore, the enrollment was stopped at a planned interim analysis. The addition of romidepsin to CHOEP did not improve the PFS of untreated PTCL patients.

Chemotherapy after PD-1 inhibitors in relapsed/refractory Hodgkin lymphoma: Outcomes and clonal evolution dynamics.

Checkpoint inhibitors (CPIs) are routinely employed in relapsed/refractory classical Hodgkin lymphoma. Nonetheless, persistent long-term responses are uncommon, and one-third of patients are refractory. Several reports have suggested that treatment with CPIs may re-sensitize patients to chemotherapy, however there is no consensus on the optimal chemotherapy regimen and subsequent consolidation strategy. In this retrospective study we analysed the response to rechallenge with chemotherapy after CPI failure. Furthermore, we exploratively characterized the clonal evolution profile of a small sample of patients (n = 5) by employing the CALDER approach. Among the 28 patients included in the study, 17 (71%) were primary refractory and 26 (92%) were refractory to the last chemotherapy prior to CPIs. Following rechallenge with chemotherapy, response was recorded in 23 (82%) patients experiencing complete remission and 3 (11%) patients experiencing partial remission. The tumour evolution of the patients inferred by CALDER seemingly occurred prior to the first cycle of therapy and was characterized either by linear or branching evolution patterns. Twenty-five patients proceeded to allogeneic stem cell transplantation. At a median follow-up of 21 months, median PFS and OS were not reached. In conclusion, patients who fail CPIs can be effectively rescued by salvage chemotherapy and bridged to allo-SCT/auto-SCT.

Translating the Biology of Diffuse Large B-cell Lymphoma Into Treatment.

Diffuse large B-cell lymphoma (DLBCL) is characterized by clinical and molecular heterogeneity; however, this heterogeneity is rarely taken into account by standard-of-care treatment approaches. While the disease was traditionally classified based on transcriptome signatures purporting the tumor cell of origin, recent classification systems have further differentiated these subtypes into clusters based on molecular and genetic features. Alongside a better understanding of the biology of the disease and the signaling pathways involved, emerging therapeutic agents may be better aimed at attacking distinct disease subsets. It is hoped that molecular subtyping at diagnosis will allow patients to be allocated to the appropriate treatment that targets their specific disease subtype, thus advancing the promise of precision medicine in lymphoma, an approach that is most needed. For high-risk disease subsets, this is particularly important, and much research is still needed to develop agents effective in this population. Here, we review recent advances in DLBCL biology and how they can be translated into clinical care.

A phase Ib, open-label, dose-escalation trial of the anti-CD37 monoclonal antibody, BI 836826, in combination with gemcitabine and oxaliplatin in patients with relapsed/refractory diffuse large B-cell lymphoma.

Background BI 836826 is a chimeric mouse-human monoclonal antibody directed against human CD37, a transmembrane protein expressed on mature B lymphocytes. This open-label, phase I dose-escalation trial (NCT02624492) was conducted to determine the maximum tolerated dose (MTD), safety/tolerability, and preliminary efficacy of BI 836826 in combination with gemcitabine and oxaliplatin in patients with relapsed/refractory diffuse large B-cell lymphoma (DLBCL). Methods Eligible patients received intravenous infusions of BI 836826 on day 8 and gemcitabine 1000 mg/m2 plus oxaliplatin 100 mg/m2 on day 1, for up to six 14-day treatment cycles. Dose escalation followed the standard 3 + 3 design. Results Of 21 treated patients, 17 had relapsed/refractory DLBCL and four had follicular lymphoma transformed to DLBCL. BI 836826 dosing started at 25 mg and proceeded through 50 mg and 100 mg. Two dose-limiting toxicities (DLTs) occurred during cycle 1, both grade 4 thrombocytopenia lasting > 7 days, affecting 1/6 evaluable patients (17%) in both the 50 mg and 100 mg cohorts. Due to early termination of the study, the MTD was not determined. The most common adverse events related to BI 836826 treatment were neutropenia (52%), thrombocytopenia (48%), and anemia (48%). Eight patients (38%) experienced BI 836826-related infusion-related reactions (two grade 3). Overall objective response rate was 38%, including two patients (10%) with complete remission and six patients (29%) with partial remission. Conclusions BI 836826 in combination with GemOx was generally well tolerated but did not exceed the MTD at doses up to 100 mg given every 14 days.

Copanlisib for the treatment of adults with relapsed follicular lymphoma.

INTRODUCTION: Follicular lymphoma (FL) is the second most common histotype of lymphoma and is considered an incurable disease. The need for new treatment options has led to the development of innovative targeted agents, including inhibitors of the phosphatidylinositol-3-kinase (PI3K) pathway. AREAS COVERED: Copanlisib, an intravenous pan-class I PI3K inhibitor, has been approved by the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) for the treatment of relapsed FL in patients who have received at least two prior systemic therapies. In this article, we critically review the mechanism of action, clinical efficacy, safety, dosage, administration, and role of copanlisib in the treatment of relapsed FL. EXPERT OPINION: Treatment with copanlisib results in clinically relevant and durable responses in heavily pretreated patients with relapsed or refractory FL. In addition, copanlisib has a manageable safety profile in this population, with low rates of severe hepatic transaminitis, diarrhea, colitis, and noninfectious pneumonitis. Further investigations of copanlisib within combination regimens will potentially allow to move copanlisib to an earlier line of therapy for FL. However, results of the CHRONOS-4 clinical trial evaluating copanlisib with standard chemoimmunotherapy (rituximab with bendamustine or CHOP) are not yet available.

A First-in-human Study of Tenalisib (RP6530), a Dual PI3K δ/γ Inhibitor, in Patients With Relapsed/Refractory Hematologic Malignancies: Results From the European Study.

BACKGROUND: Tenalisib (RP6530) is a novel, highly specific, dual phosphoinositide-3 kinases (PI3K) δ/γ inhibitor with nano-molar potency. MATERIAL AND METHODS: This was a phase I, open-label, 3 + 3 dose escalation, maximum tolerated dose determination study to evaluate the safety, pharmacokinetics, and efficacy of tenalisib in patients with relapsed/refractory hematologic malignancies. Tenalisib was administered orally twice/thrice daily in 28-day cycles with starting dose of 25 mg twice daily. RESULTS: Thirty-five patients were enrolled across 11 dose levels. No dose limiting toxicity was reported at any of the dose levels. The most common treatment-emergent adverse events irrespective of causality were asthenia and cough in 15 (43%) patients and pyrexia in 13 (37%) patients. The most frequently reported related treatment-emergent adverse events were diarrhea, nausea, and vomiting. Related grade 3/4 adverse events were limited to events of hypertriglyceridemia, neutropenia, and diarrhea. Pharmacokinetics showed rapid absorption. Based on maximum plasma concentration and area under the plasma-concentration time curve, dose proportionality was observed up to 400 mg dose. Of 31 patients included in the efficacy analysis, complete response was seen in 2 (7%) patients and partial response in 4 (13%) patients, with an overall response rate of 19% and a disease-control rate of 61%. The median duration of response was 5.7 months. Responders demonstrated a marked downregulation of phospho-AKT on C1D8. CONCLUSION: Tenalisib demonstrated acceptable safety up to 1200 mg twice a day with no dose-limiting toxicities. Consistent clinical response was seen at doses 200 mg BID and above. Pharmacodynamics correlated well with clinical outcome. Further phase I/II studies are being undertaken to evaluate efficacy across different histologies.

Follicular Lymphoma: Recent and Emerging Therapies, Treatment Strategies, and Remaining Unmet Needs.

Follicular lymphoma (FL) is a heterogeneous disease with varying prognosis owing to differences in clinical, laboratory, and disease parameters. Although generally considered incurable, prognosis for early- and advanced-stage disease has improved because of therapeutic advances, several of which have resulted from elucidation of the biologic and molecular basis of the disease. The choice of treatment for FL is highly dependent on patient and disease characteristics. Several tools are available for risk stratification, although limitations in their routine clinical use exist. For limited disease, treatment options include radiotherapy, rituximab monotherapy or combination regimens, and surveillance. Treatment of advanced disease is often determined by tumor burden, with surveillance or rituximab considered for low tumor burden and chemoimmunotherapy for high tumor burden disease. Treatment for relapsed or refractory disease is influenced by initial first-line therapy and the duration and quality of the response. Presently, there is no consensus for treatment of patients with early or multiply relapsed disease; however, numerous agents, combination regimens, and transplant options have demonstrated efficacy. Although the number of therapies available to treat FL has increased together with an improved understanding of the underlying biologic basis of disease, the best approach to select the most appropriate treatment strategy for an individual patient at a particular time continues to be elucidated. This review considers prognostication and the evolving treatment landscape of FL, including recent and emergent therapies as well as remaining unmet needs. IMPLICATIONS FOR PRACTICE: In follicular lymphoma, a personalized approach to management based on disease biology, patient characteristics, and other factors continues to emerge. However, application of current management requires an understanding of the available therapeutic options for first-line treatment and knowledge of current development in therapies for previously untreated and for relapsed or refractory disease. Thus, this work reviews for clinicians the contemporary data in follicular lymphoma, from advances in characterizing disease biology to current treatments and emerging novel therapies.

FarmaREL: An Italian pharmacovigilance project to monitor and evaluate adverse drug reactions in haematologic patients.

Adverse drug reactions (ADRs) reduce patients' quality of life, increase mortality and morbidity, and have a negative economic impact on healthcare systems. Nevertheless, the importance of ADR reporting is often underestimated. The project "FarmaREL" has been developed to monitor and evaluate ADRs in haematological patients and to increase pharmacovigilance culture among haematology specialists. In 13 haematology units, based in Lombardy, Italy, a dedicated specialist with the task of encouraging ADRs reporting and sensitizing healthcare professionals to pharmacovigilance has been assigned. The ADRs occurring in haematological patients were collected electronically and then analysed with multiple logistic regression. Between January 2009 and December 2011, 887 reports were collected. The number of ADRs was higher in older adults (528; 59%), in male (490; 55%), and in non-Hodgkin lymphoma patients (343; 39%). Most reactions were severe (45% required or prolonged hospitalization), but in most cases, they were fully resolved at the time of reporting. According to Schumock and Thornton criteria, a percentage of ADRs as high as 7% was found to be preventable versus 2% according to reporter opinion. Patients' haematological diagnosis, not age or gender, resulted to be the variable that most influenced ADR, in particular severity and outcome. The employment of personnel specifically dedicated to pharmacovigilance is a successful strategy to improve the number and quality of ADR reports. "FarmaREL", the first programme of active pharmacovigilance in oncohaematologic patients, significantly contributed to reach the WHO "Gold Standard" for pharmacovigilance in Lombardy, Italy.

B-IGEV (bortezomib plus IGEV) versus IGEV before high-dose chemotherapy followed by autologous stem cell transplantation in relapsed or refractory Hodgkin lymphoma: a randomized, phase II trial of the Fondazione Italiana Linfomi (FIL).

This randomized, multicenter study evaluates the addition of bortezomib (13 mg/m(2)) to IGEV (B-IGEV) in patients with relapsed/refractory Hodgkin Lymphoma (HL). Patients received either four courses of IGEV alone (n = 40) or B-IGEV (n = 40). The primary endpoint was the complete response (CR) proportion, evaluated by FDG-PET, after induction chemotherapy. CR proportion was 39% with B-IGEV and 53% with IGEV. PFS and OS were similar between the two groups (two-year PFS: 58% vs 56%; two-year OS: 93% vs 81%). The PET-negative status after treatment was the only variable favorably influencing both PFS (two-year PFS: 77% vs 40%; p = 0.002) and OS (two-year OS: 100% vs 76%; p < 0.001). Toxicity was overall similar with the two regimens. The addition of bortezomib to IGEV does not improve response in relapsed/refractory HL patients. However, its favorable therapeutic and safety profile, and the prognostic role of pre-transplant PET negativity in patients receiving IGEV-based regimens are confirmed.

Clinical activity of everolimus in relapsed/refractory marginal zone B-cell lymphomas: results of a phase II study of the International Extranodal Lymphoma Study Group.

The International Extranodal Lymphoma Study Group coordinated a phase II trial to evaluate the activity and safety of everolimus in marginal zone lymphomas (MZLs). Thirty patients with relapsed/refractory MZLs received everolimus for six cycles or until dose-limiting toxicity or progression. Median age was 71 years (range, 51-88 years). Twenty patients had extranodal, six splenic, four nodal MZL. Twenty-four patients had stage III-IV. Median number of prior therapies was two (range 1-5). Seventeen patients had early treatment discontinuation, in most cases due to toxicity. Median number of cycles was 4.5 (range, 1-16). Among the 24 assessable patients, the overall response rate (ORR) was 25% (95% confidence interval: 10-47). Grade 3-4 adverse events were neutropenia and thrombocytopenia (17% of patients, each), infections (17%), mucositis and odontogenic infections (13%) and lung toxicity (3%). The median response duration was 6.8 months (range, 1.4-11.1+). After a median follow-up of 14.5 months, five deaths were reported: four deaths were due to lymphoma, one was due to toxicity. In an intent-to-treat analysis, the projected median progression-free survival was 14 months. The moderate antitumour activity of everolimus in relapsed/refractory MZLs and the observed toxicity limit its therapeutical applicability in these indolent entities. Lower doses of the drug and, perhaps, different strategies including combination with additional agents need to be explored.

Modulated chemotherapy according to modified comprehensive geriatric assessment in 100 consecutive elderly patients with diffuse large B-cell lymphoma.

Chemotherapy is associated with toxicity in elderly patients with potentially curable malignancies, posing the dilemma of whether to intensify therapy, thereby improving the cure rate, or de-escalate therapy, thereby reducing toxicity, with consequent risks for under- or overtreatment. Adequate tools to define doses and combinations have not been identified for lymphoma patients. We conducted a prospective trial aimed to evaluate the feasibility and efficacy of chemotherapy modulated according to a modified comprehensive geriatric assessment (CGA) in elderly (aged ≥70 years) patients with diffuse large B-cell lymphoma (DLBCL). In June 2000 to March 2006, 100 patients were stratified using a CGA into three groups (fit, unfit, and frail), and they received a rituximab plus cyclophosphamide, doxorubicin, vincristine, and prednisone modulated in dose and drugs according to comorbidities and activities of daily living (ADL) and instrumental ADL scores. Treatment was associated with a complete response rate of 81% and mild toxicity: grade 4 neutropenia in 14%, anemia in 1%, and neurological and cardiac toxicity in 2% of patients. At a median follow-up of 64 months, 51 patients were alive, with 5-year disease-free, overall, and cause-specific survival rates of 80%, 60%, and 74%, respectively. Chemoimmunotherapy adjustments based on a CGA are associated with manageable toxicity and excellent outcomes in elderly patients with DLBCL. Wide use of this CGA-driven treatment may result in better cure rates, especially in fit and unfit patients.

Predictive value of early 18F-fluorodeoxyglucose positron emission tomography (FDG-PET) during salvage chemotherapy in relapsing/refractory Hodgkin lymphoma (HL) treated with high-dose chemotherapy.

This retrospective study evaluated whether early 2-[fluorine-18]fluoro-2-deoxy-D-glucose positron emission tomography (FDG-PET) after two cycles of salvage chemotherapy (PET2) could predict survival after high-dose chemotherapy (HDC). Twenty-four Hodgkin lymphoma (HL) patients were included. PET2 was negative in 58% and positive in 42% of patients. Ninety per cent of patients (9/10) with positive PET2 relapsed after HDC while all but one patient with negative PET2 maintained a complete remission. The 2-year progression-free survival was 93% vs. 10% for patients with negative and positive PET2, respectively (P < 0.001). This study shows that interim PET can predict the outcome after high-dose chemotherapy in HL patients.

Allogeneic stem cell transplantation compared with chemotherapy for poor-risk Hodgkin lymphoma.

The aim of this study was to assess the role of allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (HSCT) in patients with poor-risk Hodgkin's disease (HD) compared to chemotherapy. A donor was identified in 26 patients (14 HLA identical siblings and 10 alternative donors), and 24 received a transplant (Allo group). Twenty patients without a donor received different chemotherapy regimens and radiotherapy (CHEMO group). After a median follow-up of 28 months (range: 1-110), the 2-year overall survival (OS) was 71% in the ALLO group compared to 50% in the CHEMO group (P = .031). In the Allo group, the 2-year progression-free survival (PFS) was 47%. The 1-year nonrelapse mortality (NRM) in the ALLO group was 8% versus 0% in the CHEMO group. This study, suggests that allogeneic transplantation may prolong the survival in patients with a poor-risk HD.

CD34+ dose-driven administration of granulocyte colony-stimulating factor after high-dose chemotherapy in lymphoma patients.

Our goal was to optimize use of granulocyte colony-stimulating factor (G-CSF) after high-dose chemotherapy and autologous peripheral blood stem-cell transplantation in lymphoma patients, limiting G-CSF administration to patients infusing a suboptimal CD34(+) cell number. Of 124 consecutive patients with histologically proven Hodgkin's and non-Hodgkin's lymphoma from January 2001 to June 2004, 60 patients (group 1) given > or = 5 x 10(6)/kg CD34(+) cells received no G-CSF; 64 patients (group 2) given < or = 5 x 10(6)/kg CD34(+) cells received G-CSF from day +5 after stem-cell reinfusion. The median times to reach 0.5 x 10(9)/L and 1.0 x 10(9)/L neutrophils were, respectively, 3 and 4 d shorter in G-CSF group and this difference was statistically significant (P = 0.0014; P = 0.0001). In terms of antibiotic and antimycotic requirements, gastrointestinal toxicity, days of hospitalization, and transfusion requirements, no differences were demonstrated between the two groups. No statistically significant difference was demonstrated for the total number of febrile episodes (52 for group 1; 53 for group 2; P = 0.623) and the median number of febrile days (2 d for both groups). Myeloid reconstitution values for both groups agree with published results for autotransplanted patients treated with G-CSF from 7 to 14 d. Also, major clinical events, antibiotic, antimycotic, and transfusion requirements, and hospital stay were similar to published findings. Our data suggest that G-CSF administration can be safely optimized, used only for patients infused with a suboptimal CD34(+) cell dose.

Ifosfamide, gemcitabine, and vinorelbine: a new induction regimen for refractory and relapsed Hodgkin's lymphoma.

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: Response to pre-transplant salvage chemotherapy remains the most important prognostic factor for outcome in refractory or relapsed Hodgkin's lymphoma. Results of a new induction regimen are reported in terms of response rates, toxicity, and stem cell mobilization. DESIGN AND METHODS: Ninety-one patients with refractory or relapsed Hodgkin's lymphoma were treated prospectively with a salvage regimen consisting of ifosfamide 2000 mg/m2 on days 1 to 4, gemcitabine 800 mg/m2 on days 1 and 4, vinorelbine 20 mg/m2 on day 1, and prednisolone 100 mg on days 1 to 4 (IGEV). RESULTS: Forty-nine patients (53.8%) achieved a complete remission and 25 (27.5%) a partial response for an overall response rate of 81.3%. In the multivariate analysis response to the last chemotherapy (p<0.0001) and involvement of > or =3 sites (p<0.049) were the most important prognostic factors for response. Adequate CD34+ cell collection was achieved in 78 out of 79 (98.7%) mobilized patients. So far, no treatment-related death has been documented. Thirteen (4.2%) and 27 (8.6%) out of 313 evaluated cycles had to be delayed or reduced, respectively, mainly because of neutropenia and thrombocytopenia. No grade 4 non-hematologic toxicity was observed, except for one episode of mucositis. INTERPRETATION AND CONCLUSIONS: The high response rate, in particular the complete remission rate, the low toxicity profile, and the very high mobilizing potential of the IGEV regimen strongly suggest that patients with relapsed/refractory Hodgkin's lymphoma may benefit from the use of this salvage induction regimen.

Tandem high-dose chemotherapy and autologous stem cell transplantation in refractory/relapsed Hodgkin's lymphoma: a monocenter prospective study.

We designed a prospective study to evaluate the feasibility and efficacy of tandem high-dose chemotherapy (HDCT) in the treatment of refractory or relapsed Hodgkin's lymphoma (HL). Thirty-two patients were treated with salvage chemotherapy (IGEV, ifosfamide, gemcitabine, and vinorelbine) and chemo-sensitive patients received a first HDCT course with melphalan 200 mg/m(2) (MEL200) and a second BEAM course. The median time interval between the two HDCT courses was 66 days. The median number of reinfused CD34(+) cells was 4.7 x 10(6)/kg after MEL200 and 5.8 x 10(6)/kg after BEAM. The hematological reconstitution after both HDCT courses did not differ. No grade III or IV renal, hepatic, lung, cardiac, and neurological toxicity was observed. Severe (grade III and IV) oral mucositis was the most prominent complication affecting 60 and 50% of patients after MEL200 and BEAM, respectively. Fever of unknown origin occurred in 65 and 70% of patients after MEL200 and BEAM, respectively. One patient died from septic shock during the aplasia period following BEAM. In an intention-to-treat analysis, the overall response rate increased after each stage of protocol, ranging from 47% to 65% and 75% after IGEV, MEL200, and BEAM, respectively. Tandem HDCT is feasible and effective in patients with relapsed or refractory HL.

Long-term, tunneled, noncuffed central venous catheter in cancer patients (Vygon): safety, efficacy, and complications.

BACKGROUND: Totally implantable or partially cuffed central venous catheters (CVC) are commonly used in cancer patients, but they are often expensive and may produce complications. To minimize costs, we have been using a low-cost, partially tunneled, silicone elastomer catheter with no Dacron cuff or antireflux valve (Vygon) since 2001. This study is a retrospective investigation of our experience using the Vygon catheter as a long-term CVC in patients with malignancy. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A total of 458 Vygon catheters (Nutricath, Vygon) were percutaneously inserted by an interventional radiologist in 302 cancer patients. The median duration of catheter use was 93 days, mean 164.3 days (range 1-789). Main patient characteristics were as follows: number of male/female patients, 166/136; median age, 51 years; hematological/nonhematological patients, 189/113. RESULTS: Early complications were pneumothorax in six and hematoma in twelve of 458 implants, respectively. Thirteen out of 302 patients developed a catheter-related thrombosis. One hundred and thirty-five of 458 Vygon catheters required removal because of catheter-related complications: 68 accidental losses, 37 cases of febrile neutropenia suspected to be catheter-related, ten catheter dislodgements, ten catheter malfunctions, four local infections, three thromboses, two catheter ruptures, and one allergic reaction. CONCLUSION: Vygon catheters do not seem to induce more early and late complications as compared with other more expensive devices, except for disadvantage of the high incidence rate of accidental losses.

What is the best option to cure patients with resistant/relapsing Hodgkin's disease?

Nearly 80% of patients with Hodgkin's disease (HD) are cured with chemotherapy with or without radiotherapy. However, in patients with primary refractory or relapsed disease, high-dose therapy (HDT) and autologous or peripheral-blood stem-cell transplantation (ASCT or PBSCT) represents the best curative option. Several prognostic factors to identify patients at high risk for relapse or progression have been analyzed. However, in almost all analyzed series, disease status before high-dose chemotherapy with PBSC support remains the most important factor predicting the outcome of these patients. Nonetheless, the benefit of cytoreduction before HDT has yet to be fully determined and efforts to identify the best active regimen, combining therapeutic activity and CD34+ stem-cell mobilizing potential, represent a challenging issue for these patients. Furthermore new approaches like myeloablative and non-myeloablative allogeneic transplants have been assessed to improve long-term in such patients. In this review we analyzed the results of the most important salvage chemotherapy combinations as well as allogeneic transplantations to clarify the optimal treatment options for patients with resistant/relapsing HD.