Background: Mantle cell lymphoma (MCL) is an aggressive lymphoma with a dismal prognosis because of numerous relapses. Because the most promising results have been obtained with immunochemotherapy followed by autologous cell stem transplantation (ASCT), we evaluated the efficacy of yttrium-90 ibritumomab ((90)Y-IT) consolidation after such an intensive treatment.
Patients and methods: We retrospectively assessed 57 patients affected by intermediate or high-risk MCL in complete remission (CR) or partial remission (PR) after 3 cycles of R-CHOP (rituximab, cyclophosphamide, doxorubicin [hydroxydaunorubicin], vincristine [Oncovin], prednisolone) plus 3 cycles of R-DHAP (dexamethasone, cytarabine [Ara-C], cisplatin [platinum]) followed by ASCT and additional consolidation treatment with (90)Y-IT in 28 cases. All patients underwent 2 years of rituximab maintenance.
Results: After ASCT, 94% achieved CR and 4% achieved PR. The median follow-up was 6.2 years (range, 1.8-9.7 years). Treatment intensification was well tolerated and led to a significantly longer response duration in comparison to standard treatment. In contrast to the historical cohort, the addition of (90)Y-IT seems to overcome important risk factors such as Mantle Cell Lymphoma International Prognostic Index (MIPI) score and bone marrow infiltration.
Conclusion: In the present retrospective analysis, immunochemotherapy followed by ASCT resulted in a very high response rate, and subsequent (90)Y-IT consolidation significantly reduced the number of relapses and increased survival, suggesting that (90)Y-IT consolidation might be a valid option in first-line treatment. However, a prospective confirmatory trial is warranted.
Keywords: (90)Y-ibritumomab tiuxetan; Autologous transplantation; Consolidation treatment; Lymphoma; MCL.
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