Modified VR-CAP, Alternating With Rituximab and High-dose Cytarabine: An Effective Pre-transplant Induction Regimen for Mantle Cell Lymphoma

Background: Initial treatment of mantle cell lymphoma (MCL) incorporating autologous stem cell transplantation affords long-term remissions, but relapses still occur. Optimal pretransplant therapy will afford high complete response rates and not impair stem cell collection. Incorporation of bortezomib represents a natural evolution of pretransplant therapy, given its proven first-line efficacy and minimal impact on stem cell collection.

Patients and methods: At the University of Washington/Seattle Cancer Care Alliance and the Cleveland Clinic Foundation, we developed modified VR-CAP/R+ara-C (bortezomib, rituximab, cyclophosphamide, doxorubicin, and prednisone, alternating with rituximab and high-dose cytarabine), for transplant-eligible patients with MCL. This regimen was administered as standard-of-care, pretransplant therapy to consecutive patients with MCL from April 2015 to the present.

Results: A total of 37 patients were treated with this regimen, including 18 at the University of Washington/Seattle Cancer Care Alliance and 19 at the Cleveland Clinic Foundation. Most patients had intermediate- or high-risk disease by both (mantle-cell lymphoma international prognostic index (MIPI)-B and MIPI-C category. Complete response to induction was achieved in 32 (86%) of 37 evaluable patients; 2 achieved partial response, and 3 had primary refractory disease. Stem cell collection was successful in 1 attempt in 30 of 32 patients. The median follow-up of survivors measured from start of treatment is 17.4 months. Five patients have progressed, and 4 have died (2 owing to lymphoma, 2 from toxicity).

Conclusion: Modified VR-CAP/R+ara-C is feasible pretransplant therapy for patients with MCL and is associated with a high rate of complete response and eligibility for autologous stem cell transplantation.