Aggressive lymphoma: news on ASH 2014

This article reviews the most important news at American Society of Hematology (ASH) 2014 for the clinician. A validated risk model for central nervous system (CNS) relapse after rituximab, cyclophosphamide, doxorubicin, vincristine, and prednisone (R-CHOP) defined a low, intermediate, and a high risk group. The latter with a CNS-relapse risk of 12 %. Interim positron emission tomography (PET) imaging and different treatment strategies for positive disease were highly prognostic for an unfavorable prognosis. However, the salvage strategies for these patients were not successful. The role of radiotherapy was clarified in a randomized trial of non-bulky stage I or II disease. It was not possible to demonstrate an event-free (EFS) and overall (OS) survival benefit for radiation after 4–6 R-CHOP cycles. Unfortunately ofatumomab was not superior to rituximab in combination with DHAP in relapsed or refractory diffuse large B-cell lymphoma (DLBCL).
Source: Memo - Magazine of European Medical Oncology - Category: Cancer & Oncology Source Type: research