Mantle-Cell Lymphoma and Older Patients

(Ivanhoe Broadcast News) - Mantle-cell lymphoma is a cancer of the blood and approximately 12,000 to 16,000 Americans suffer from the disease. It affects more people 60 years and older than any other age group.

In addition, the long-term prognosis for older patients with mantle-cell lymphoma is poor with chemotherapy resulting in low rates of complete remission, and most patients have a relapse.

A study was performed to see if a fludarabine-containing induction regimen improved the complete-remission rate and whether maintenance therapy with rituximab prolonged remission.

Researchers randomly assigned patients 60 years or older with mantle-cell lymphoma, stage II to IV, who were not eligible for high-does therapy to six cycles of rituximab, fludarabine, and cyclophoshamide every 28 days or to eight cycles of rixtuximab, cyclophosphamide, doxorubicin, vincristine, and prednisone every 21 days. Patients who had a response underwent a second randomization to maintenance therapy with rituximab or interferon alfa, each given until progression. Researchers concluded prednisone induction followed by maintenance therapy with rituximab is effective for older patients with mantle-cell lymphoma.