Outcome of transformed follicular lymphoma worsens according to the timing of transformation and to the number of previous therapies. A retrospective multicenter study on behalf of Fondazione Italiana Linfomi (FIL)

Br J Haematol. 2019 May;185(4):713-717. doi: 10.1111/bjh.15816. Epub 2019 Feb 21.

Abstract

Optimal treatment for transformed follicular lymphoma (tFL) is not fully defined. Clinical characteristics and treatments that impact on post-transformation outcome of 176 biopsy-proven tFL were analysed. Transformation occurred at initial diagnosis in 52% (Group 1) and after a FL diagnosis in 48% (Group 2). Five-year overall survival was 84% for Group 1 and 51% for Group 2 (P < 0·001). In Group 1, 5-year progression-free survival was superior after rituximab maintenance compared to observation only (94% vs. 53%, P = 0·024). In Group 2, an inverse trend was found between survival and both a higher number of pre-transformation treatment lines and a short time-to-transformation.

Keywords: composite lymphoma; autologous stem cell transplantation; follicular lymphoma; histological transformation; rituximab maintenance.

Publication types

  • Multicenter Study

MeSH terms

  • Anthracyclines / administration & dosage
  • Antineoplastic Combined Chemotherapy Protocols / therapeutic use*
  • Cell Transformation, Neoplastic
  • Combined Modality Therapy
  • Disease-Free Survival
  • Humans
  • Italy / epidemiology
  • Lymphoma, Follicular / mortality
  • Lymphoma, Follicular / pathology
  • Lymphoma, Follicular / therapy*
  • Retrospective Studies
  • Rituximab / administration & dosage
  • Stem Cell Transplantation / methods*
  • Transplantation, Autologous
  • Treatment Outcome
  • Watchful Waiting

Substances

  • Anthracyclines
  • Rituximab