Evolving Therapy of Peripheral T-cell Lymphoma: 2010 and beyond

Abstract

The peripheral T-cell lymphomas are a rare, heterogeneous group of non-Hodgkin's lymphomas which have an aggressive clinical course. Treatment approaches have traditionally been similar to those of diffuse large B-cell lymphomas, but outcomes have been inferior. Novel approaches involving agents and pathways developed from a better understanding of the biology of the diseases have led to therapeutic advances. The introduction of new agents, including antifolates, immunoconjugates, histone deacetylase inhibitors, monoclonal antibodies, nucleoside analogs, proteasome inhibitors, and signaling inhibitors have improved outcomes for patients with relapsed and refractory disease and are being incorporated into strategies for first-line therapy. Stem cell transplantation remains a potentially curative option for a subset of patients.

Keywords: T-cell leukemia; anaplastic lymphoma kinase; human T-cell lymphotropic virus-1; natural killer/T-cell lymphoma; peripheral T-cell lymphomas.

Figure 1.

National Comprehensive Cancer Network guidelines for the treatment of peripheral T-cell lymphoma. AITL, angioimmunoblastic T-cell lymphoma; ALCL, anaplastic large cell lymphoma; CR, complete response; CT, computed tomography; EATL, enteropathy-associated T-cell lymphoma; HSCT, hematopoietic stem cell transplantation; IPI, International Prognostic Index; NR, nonresponse; PET, positron emission tomography; PR, partial response; PTCL-NOS, peripheral T-cell lymphoma, not otherwise specified; RT, radiotherapy.