Retrospective analysis of primary gastric diffuse large B cell lymphoma in the rituximab era: a multicenter study of 95 patients in Japan

Ann Hematol. 2012 Mar;91(3):383-90. doi: 10.1007/s00277-011-1306-0. Epub 2011 Aug 6.

Abstract

Primary gastric diffuse large B cell lymphoma (PG-DLBCL) is common subtype of extranodal non-Hodgkin lymphoma. The optimal treatment strategy for PG-DLBCL in the rituximab era still remains unknown. To evaluate clinical outcomes of PG-DLBCL in the rituximab era, we conducted a retrospective, multicenter analysis of 95 patients with PG-DLBCL. In 58 patients with localized disease, 3-year progression-free survival (PFS) and overall survival (OS) were 91% and 91% for patients with six cycles of rituximab plus CHOP (R-CHOP) and 92% and 95% for patients with three to four cycles of R-CHOP plus radiotherapy (Log-rank test, P = 0.595 and P = 0.278, respectively). In 37 patients with advanced disease, 3-year PFS and 3-year OS were 43% and 64% for patients with R-CHOP chemotherapy with or without radiotherapy. On multivariate analysis, advanced stage and elevated serum LDH levels were independent predictors of survival in patients with PG-DLBCL. One patient with localized disease relapsed in lymph node, and eight patients with advanced disease relapsed in lymph node (n = 3), stomach (n = 2), central nervous system (CNS; n = 2), and duodenum (n = 1). Intriguingly, CNS relapse developed within 6 months after initial series of treatment (4.9 and 5.8 months, respectively), and stomach relapse developed in later phase (27.2 and 32.9 months, respectively). Clinical outcomes of PG-DLBCL were extremely favorable for localized-stage patients in the rituximab era, although these might be poor for advanced-stage patients even in the rituximab era. Further prospective analyses are warranted.

Publication types

  • Multicenter Study
  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Adult
  • Aged
  • Aged, 80 and over
  • Antibodies, Monoclonal, Murine-Derived / therapeutic use*
  • Antineoplastic Agents / therapeutic use*
  • Antineoplastic Combined Chemotherapy Protocols / therapeutic use
  • Cyclophosphamide / therapeutic use
  • Disease-Free Survival
  • Doxorubicin / therapeutic use
  • Female
  • Humans
  • Japan
  • Lymphoma, Large B-Cell, Diffuse / drug therapy*
  • Lymphoma, Large B-Cell, Diffuse / pathology
  • Lymphoma, Non-Hodgkin / drug therapy*
  • Lymphoma, Non-Hodgkin / pathology
  • Male
  • Middle Aged
  • Prednisone / therapeutic use
  • Prospective Studies
  • Retrospective Studies
  • Rituximab
  • Stomach Neoplasms / drug therapy*
  • Stomach Neoplasms / pathology
  • Treatment Outcome
  • Vincristine / therapeutic use

Substances

  • Antibodies, Monoclonal, Murine-Derived
  • Antineoplastic Agents
  • Rituximab
  • Vincristine
  • Doxorubicin
  • Cyclophosphamide
  • Prednisone

Supplementary concepts

  • CHOP protocol
  • Familial primary gastric lymphoma