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Clinical Trial
. 2017 Oct 1;28(10):2511-2516.
doi: 10.1093/annonc/mdx353.

Central nervous system relapse of diffuse large B-cell lymphoma in the rituximab era: results of the UK NCRI R-CHOP-14 versus 21 trial

M Gleeson  1 , N Counsell  2 , D Cunningham  3 , N Chadwick  2 , A Lawrie  2 , E A Hawkes  4 , A McMillan  5 , K M Ardeshna  6 , A Jack  7 , P Smith  2 , P Mouncey  2 , C Pocock  8 , J A Radford  9 , J Davies  10 , D Turner  11 , A Kruger  12 , P Johnson  13 , J Gambell  2 , D Linch  14
Affiliations
Clinical Trial

Central nervous system relapse of diffuse large B-cell lymphoma in the rituximab era: results of the UK NCRI R-CHOP-14 versus 21 trial

M Gleeson et al. Ann Oncol. .

Abstract

Background: Central nervous system (CNS) relapse of diffuse large B-cell lymphoma (DLBCL) is associated with a dismal prognosis. Here, we report an analysis of CNS relapse for patients treated within the UK NCRI phase III R-CHOP (rituximab, cyclophosphamide, doxorubicin, vincristine and prednisolone) 14 versus 21 randomised trial.

Patients and methods: The R-CHOP 14 versus 21 trial compared R-CHOP administered two- versus three weekly in previously untreated patients aged ≥18 years with bulky stage I-IV DLBCL (n = 1080). Details of CNS prophylaxis were retrospectively collected from participating sites. The incidence and risk factors for CNS relapse including application of the CNS-IPI were evaluated.

Results: 177/984 patients (18.0%) received prophylaxis (intrathecal (IT) methotrexate (MTX) n = 163, intravenous (IV) MTX n = 2, prophylaxis type unknown n = 11 and IT MTX and cytarabine n = 1). At a median follow-up of 6.5 years, 21 cases of CNS relapse (isolated n = 11, with systemic relapse n = 10) were observed, with a cumulative incidence of 1.9%. For patients selected to receive prophylaxis, the incidence was 2.8%. Relapses predominantly involved the brain parenchyma (81.0%) and isolated leptomeningeal involvement was rare (14.3%). Univariable analysis demonstrated the following risk factors for CNS relapse: performance status 2, elevated lactate dehydrogenase, IPI, >1 extranodal site of disease and presence of a 'high-risk' extranodal site. Due to the low number of events no factor remained significant in multivariate analysis. Application of the CNS-IPI revealed a high-risk group (4-6 risk factors) with a 2- and 5-year incidence of CNS relapse of 5.2% and 6.8%, respectively.

Conclusion: Despite very limited use of IV MTX as prophylaxis, the incidence of CNS relapse following R-CHOP was very low (1.9%) confirming the reduced incidence in the rituximab era. The CNS-IPI identified patients at highest risk for CNS recurrence.

Clinicaltrials.gov: ISCRTN number 16017947 (R-CHOP14v21); EudraCT number 2004-002197-34.

Keywords: central nervous system; diffuse large B-cell lymphoma; relapse; rituximab.

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Figures

Figure 1.
Figure 1.
Overall survival from study registration.
Figure 2.
Figure 2.
Application of the CNS-IPI risk model.
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