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Salvage chemoimmunotherapy with rituximab, ifosfamide and etoposide (R‐IE regimen) in patients with primary CNS lymphoma relapsed or refractory to high‐dose methotrexate‐based chemotherapy
Author(s) -
Mappa Silvia,
Marturano Emerenziana,
Licata Giada,
Frezzato Maurizio,
Frungillo Niccolò,
Ilariucci Fiorella,
Stelitano Caterina,
Ferrari Antonella,
Sorarù Mariella,
Vianello Fabrizio,
Baldini Luca,
Proserpio Ilaria,
Foppoli Marco,
Assanelli Andrea,
Reni Michele,
CaligarisCappio Federico,
Ferreri Andrés J. M.
Publication year - 2013
Publication title -
hematological oncology
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.918
H-Index - 44
eISSN - 1099-1069
pISSN - 0278-0232
DOI - 10.1002/hon.2037
Subject(s) - medicine , ifosfamide , etoposide , rituximab , regimen , chemotherapy , surgery , refractory (planetary science) , salvage therapy , chemoimmunotherapy , gastroenterology , lymphoma , physics , astrobiology
Despite a high proportion of patients with primary CNS lymphoma (PCNSL) experiences failure after/during first‐line treatment, a few studies focused on salvage therapy are available, often with disappointing results. Herein, we report feasibility and activity of a combination of rituximab, ifosfamide and etoposide (R‐IE regimen) in a multicentre series of patients with PCNSL relapsed or refractory to high‐dose methotrexate‐based chemotherapy. We considered consecutive HIV‐negative patients ≤75 years old with failed PCNSL treated with R‐IE regimen (rituximab 375 mg/m 2 , day 0; ifosfamide 2 g/m 2 /day, days1–3; etoposide 250 mg/m 2 , day 1; four courses). Twenty‐two patients (median age 60 years; range 39–72; male/female ratio: 1:4) received R‐IE as second‐line ( n = 18) or third‐line ( n = 4) treatment. Eleven patients had refractory PCNSL, and 11 had relapsing disease. Twelve patients had been previously irradiated. Sixty (68%) of the 88 planned courses were actually delivered; only one patient interrupted R‐IE because of toxicity. Grade 4 hematological toxicity was manageable; a single case of grade 4 non‐hematological toxicity (transient hepatotoxicity) was recorded. Response was complete in six patients and partial in three (overall response rate = 41%; 95%CI: 21–61%). Seven patients were successfully referred to autologous peripheral blood stem cell collection; four responders were consolidated with high‐dose chemotherapy supported by autologous stem cell transplant. At a median follow‐up of 24 months, eight responders did not experience relapse, two of them died of neurological impairment while in remission. Six patients are alive, with a 2‐year survival after relapse of 25 ± 9%. We concluded that R‐IE is a feasible and active combination for patients with relapsed/refractory PCNSL. This regimen allows stem cell collection and successful consolidation with high‐dose chemotherapy and autologous transplant. Copyright © 2012 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.