Aggressive Treatment for Mantle Cell Lymphoma

Intensive immunochemotherapy and autologous stem-cell transplantation were associated with durable remissions in patients with previously untreated MCL.

Patients with mantle cell lymphoma (MCL) — an aggressive B-cell non-Hodgkin lymphoma — have achieved durable responses after receiving immunochemotherapy followed by high-dose chemotherapy and autologous stem-cell transplantation (ASCT; JW Oncol Hematol Sep 23 2008). However, an optimal strategy for front-line MCL therapy has not been established, and controversy persists about the role and safety of incorporating ASCT into the treatment regimen.

To help resolve these issues, investigators conducted a phase II multicenter trial involving 78 patients with newly diagnosed MCL who were younger than 70 (median age, 57; 82% were male; 15% exhibited blastic morphology). Treatment consisted of 2 cycles of immunochemotherapy (rituximab and methotrex…

Reviewing Author

Michael E. Williams, MD

Disclosures

Consultant/Advisory BoardAbbVie; AstraZeneca; Beigene; Janssen; Pharmacyclics

Grant/Research SupportJanssen

Editorial BoardsAmerican Board of Internal Medicine (ABIM) Hematology Longitudinal Knowledge Approval Committee

Michael E. Williams, MD

Disclosures

Consultant/Advisory BoardAbbVie; AstraZeneca; Beigene; Janssen; Pharmacyclics

Grant/Research SupportJanssen

Editorial BoardsAmerican Board of Internal Medicine (ABIM) Hematology Longitudinal Knowledge Approval Committee