Improving outcomes in advanced DLBCL: systemic approaches and radiotherapy

Oncology (Williston Park). 2014 Dec;28(12):1074-81, 1084.

Abstract

Diffuse large B-cell lymphoma (DLBCL) is the most common subtype of non-Hodgkin lymphoma. Approximately half of patients will present with advanced (stage III/IV) disease. The cornerstone of treatment is a combination of chemotherapy and immunotherapy, most commonly R-CHOP (rituximab, cyclophosphamide, doxorubicin, vincristine, prednisone). Efforts to improve upon R-CHOP-including more chemotherapy cycles, dose-dense chemotherapy, alternative drug combinations, high-dose chemotherapy with autologous stem cell transplant, and maintenance rituximab-have generally proved unsuccessful. There is a growing body of retrospective and prospective data, however, suggesting a benefit for consolidation radiation therapy (RT) in select patients with advanced DLBCL. Consolidation RT has been shown to improve outcomes for patients with advanced DLBCL generally, and in specific instances including initially bulky disease, bone involvement, or in the setting of a partial response to systemic therapy. In these settings consolidation RT is highly efficacious at achieving local disease control and improving overall outcomes.

MeSH terms

  • Antibodies, Monoclonal, Murine-Derived / therapeutic use
  • Antineoplastic Combined Chemotherapy Protocols / therapeutic use
  • Clinical Trials as Topic
  • Combined Modality Therapy
  • Cyclophosphamide / therapeutic use
  • Doxorubicin / therapeutic use
  • Humans
  • Lymphoma, Large B-Cell, Diffuse / diagnostic imaging
  • Lymphoma, Large B-Cell, Diffuse / drug therapy
  • Lymphoma, Large B-Cell, Diffuse / radiotherapy*
  • Patient Outcome Assessment*
  • Positron-Emission Tomography
  • Prednisone / therapeutic use
  • Radiotherapy / statistics & numerical data*
  • Rituximab
  • Survival Rate
  • Treatment Outcome
  • Vincristine / therapeutic use

Substances

  • Antibodies, Monoclonal, Murine-Derived
  • R-CHOP protocol
  • Rituximab
  • Vincristine
  • Doxorubicin
  • Cyclophosphamide
  • Prednisone