Guidelines recommend autologous stem cell transplantation (ASCT) consolidation in first complete or partial response after regimens including rituximab (R) and high-dose AraC (HDAC), but its use beyond that response is questioned. We present a retrospective analysis of 268 patients with MCL who received ASCT. With a median follow-up for survival patients of 54 months, progression-free survival and overall survival for the whole series were 38 and 74 months, respectively, and for patients transplanted in first CR 49 and 97 months, respectively. Patients without CR before transplant were analyzed separately, those who achieved CR after transplantation had better PFS (48 vs 0.03 months, p < 0.001) and OS (92 vs 16 months, p < 0.001) than the remaining. In univariate analysis, first CR at transplant (p = 0.01) and prior rituximab (p = 0.02) were the variables associated with PFS. For OS, the same variables resulted significant (p = 0.03 and p < 0.001, respectively). In multivariate analysis, only the status at transplant (first CR) remained significant. This retrospective study concludes that ASCT consolidation in first CR induces high survival rates. In other stages of disease, the need of ASCT as consolidation may be questioned.

Patients with mantle cell lymphoma (MCL) have an adverse outcome after relapse. Bendamustine has demonstrated a good efficacy and toxicity profile in previously reported trials. In this study, we present a retrospective analysis of the Spanish experience in relapsed/refractory MCL treated with bendamustine in combination or alone with the objective of knowing the efficacy and toxicity profile of this treatment in our current clinical practice. Fifty eight patients were registered: 67 % male with median age of 71 years, and 2 is the median number of previous lines. The most frequent bendamustine regimen was bendamustine plus rituximab (83 %). The median number of cycles was 5 (range 1–8). The overall response rate was 84 % with 53 % of complete response/unconfirmed complete response (CR/uCR). Median progression-free survival (PFS) was 16 months (95 % confidence interval (CI) 13.3–18.8), and for patients who achieved CR/uCR, it was 33 months (95 % CI 11.1–54.2). Median overall survival (OS) was 30 months (95 % CI 25.6–34.9). For PFS, only blastoid histology and not achieving CR after bendamustine had a significant negative impact on the univariate and multivariate analyses (p < 0.05). Nevertheless, for OS, only an elevated lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) had negative impact on both, univariate and multivariate analyses (p < 0.05). Only one case of treatment-related mortality in a 79-year-old patient with very bad performance status was reported. In 280 cycles, 12 (4 %) hospitalizations for febrile neutropenia were reported. In our population, bendamustine has been a good salvage treatment with a favorable toxicity profile in a non selected and heavily pretreated population of patients with MCL.

Abstract Abstract 4942 INTRODUCTION. Patients with Mantle cell lymphoma (MCL) have an adverse outcome after relapse due to chemorefractory disease with conventional treatments. Bendamustine, a nitrogen mustard compound chemically related to the alkylating agents, has demonstrated high efficacy with a low toxicity profile in reported clinical trials. AIM. To analyze the Spanish experience in patients with relapsed/refractory MCL treated with Bendamustine. METHODS. Retrospective analysis of spanish experience in relapsed/refractory MCL treated with Bendamustine alone or in combination. This study has been approved by local ethical committees. RESULTS. Currently, there are 36 patients registered and 28 are available for this analysis. Patients'characteristics: 69% male, median age 65 years old (range 41–81), 87% ECOG≤ 1, 83% Ann Arbor stage IV, 37% high risk MIPI and 9% blastic variant. Previous regimens were CHOP or CHOP like ± R in 42.5%, HyperCVAD/MtxAraC ± R in 42.5%, R-CVP in 9% and other regimens in 6%. Median number of previous treatments were 2.6 (range 1–6), all patients had received prior Rituximab and 73% had chemosensitive disease to the last treatment. Bendamustine regimen was R-B (R-375mg/m2 D1, B-90 mg/m2 D1-2) in 78% patients, R-B with B-70 mg/m2 in 8%, B alone in 3%, R-B-Bortezomib in 3% and R-B plus consolidation (SCT, Y90Ibritumomab-tiuxetan) in 8%. Median number of cycles was 4.61 (range 1–7). G- CSF support was administered in 43% of cycles. Response: Overall response rate was 73%, with 43% CR & uCR and 30% PR. Survival: Median overall survival from diagnosis is 8,26 years (range: 1.6–11,6 years) without plateau. Median progression free survival (PFS) after Bendamustine treatment was 16 months (95% CI: 11.7–20.4), data that compares favourably with patients' PFS to previous therapy (12 months, 95% CI: 6.5–17.5). Median PFS for patients who achieved CR/uCR is 32.6 months (95% CI: 19.9–45.4) versus 11 months in patients with PR (95% CI: 3.9–18.8). With a median follow-up for surviving patients of 12 months since Bendamustine treatment, the estimated OS at 3 years is 47% (+ SD 14%). Toxicity: No treatment related mortality has been described so far. Over 152 cycles, only 10 hospitalizations due to febrile neutropenia were reported. No one case of lysis tumoral syndrome has been reported. CONCLUSION. Bendamustine plus Rituximab is a good rescue treatment in non selected pretreated patients with mantle cell lymphoma. CR rate and duration of response seem to reproduce in current clinical practice the good data reported in previous clinical trials and compares favourably with other available treatments. Disclosures: No relevant conflicts of interest to declare.

Introduction: CC analysis of the CSF is considered as the reference method to diagnose meningeal disease in patients with B-NHL. However, recent studies suggest that in patients with B-NHL who are at high risk of CNS relapse, FCM could be more sensitive than CC for detecting meningeal disease in CSF. Objective: To evaluate the sensitivity and specificity of a standardized FCM immunophenotypic approach vs CC for detecting the presence of neoplastic cells in CSF, in patients with aggressive B-NHL who are at high risk of CNS relapse. Patients and methods: A total of 29 CSF samples were analysed (total volume: 0.8 to 4ml; median: 2.4) in newly diagnosed patients with aggressive B-NHL, from a total of 14 different hospitals (diffuse large B cell lymphoma-DLBCL: 17; Burkitt’s lymphoma-BL: 9; follicular lymphoma transformed to DLBCL -tFL: 2; and T-cell-rich B-NHL: 1). Of the 29 patients studied, 15 were men (52%) and 14 women (48%) with a mean age of 55 ± 19 years (range: 16–86). In all cases, the CSF samples were analysed simultaneously by CC at the institution of origin and FCM, centrally one institution. For the FCM analysis of the CSF, stabilised samples (Transfix, CYTOMARK) were systematically stained with the following combination of monoclonal antibodies: CD8-sIgl/CD56-sIgk/CD4-CD19/CD3/CD20/CD45 (FITC/PE/PERCPCY5.5/PECY7/APC/APCCY7). If the FCM test showed infiltration, an additional 6-color antibody panel was used for full phenotypic characterisation of the disease. Results: Haematopoietic cells were detected in all cases (mean: 2.2 ± 4 cells/μl; range: 0.2–14). Systematically, these cells included T cells (mean: 0.6±0.8/μl; range: 0.1–4) and monocytes (mean: 1±2/μl; range: 0.1–9). Furthermore, in 31%, 3%, 3% and 14% of cases the following cell populations were also detected: polyclonal B-lymphocytes (mean: 0.06±0.07/μl; range: 0.01–0,2), plasma cells (0.09/μl), natural killer cells (0.03/μl) and neutrophils (mean: 0.6±1/μl; range: 0.03–2), respectively. Of the 29 cases studied, 5 (17%) showed infiltration by neoplastic B-cells by FCM, while CC only showed infiltration in two of these patients (7%). Cases with CNS infiltration by both methods included one tFL (82%; 14 neoplastic cells/μl by FCM) and one BL (68%; 8 neoplastic cells/μl using FCM). The three patients with FCM+/CC- presented a lower percentage of pathological B-cells (2% in one DLBCL and 1% and 0.1% in two BL, respectively). One of these three patients presented neurological symptoms (meningism). Conclusion: Although preliminary, these results suggest that FCM is more sensitive that CC in detecting CSF infiltration by neoplastic B-cells in aggressive B-NHL, especially when these cells are present in a relatively low numbers.

Introduction: The treatment of diffuse large B cell lymphoma (DLBCL) is based on anthracyclin containing regimens. The CHOP regimen is considered the standard of chemotherapy, although immunochemotherapy regimens appear to be more effective. Rituximab (R), when combined with CHOP or CHOP-like regimens, improve the complete remission (CR) rate and survival in elderly and low risk young patients. Nevertheless, the CR rate and survival continues to be predicted by patient’s international prognostic index (IPI). R-CHOP has been claimed to be a new standard of treatment for DLBCL and adopted in the common practice. Purpose: In this study we aimed to analyze prospectively the results of R-CHOP, used as a standard of care for DLBCL patients irrespectively of age or IPI. Methods: Between 1/2001 and 1/2005, 236 patients with DLBCL recruited from 25 institutions, including community-based and University Hospitals, received upfront therapy with R-CHOP. Patients were required to have no contraindications for antineoplastic therapy and give consent. They were given 3–4 courses for localized, and 6–8 courses for advanced disease. Rituximab was given at 375 mg/m2 the first day of each course. R-CHOP cycles were given every 21 days, except for 5 centres giving cycles every 14 days. Radiation therapy was given for bulky (> 7 cm) areas. Prophylaxis, supportive measures and hematopoietic factors were given according to local policies. Response to therapy was evaluated 3 months after the completion of treatment. Results: There were 109 males and 127 females, median age 62 years (range 18–84). The number of IPI factors at diagnosis were: 0–1 in 32%; 2 in 28%; 3 in 19% and 4–5 in 21% of patients. B-symptoms, bulky disease > 7 cm, high b2-microglobulin and low albumin were present in 47%, 31%, 33% and 31% of patients, respectively. R-CHOP 21 was given to 85%, and R-CHOP 14 to 15% of patients. Dose intensity was maintained in 74% of patients, and 88% completed treatment. Involved-field radiation was given to 17% of cases. The overall CR rate was 82.2%. Failures due to lymphoma resistance or toxicities were 14.1%. According to the IPI score, the CR rate was as follows: 0–1: 90.5%; 2: 85.5%; 3: 72.2%; and 4–5: 73%. After a median follow-up of 15.4 months (range 1 to 53 months), the progression free survival (PFS) and overall survival (OS) are 74.4% and 84%, respectively. The IPI score at diagnosis influenced both PFS and OS. The PFS for patients with an IPI score of 0–1, 2, 3 and 4–5 were 85.5%, 83.0%, 72.2% and 66.7%, respectively. The OS according to the IPI score was 95.2%, 90.9%, 72.2%, and 63.2%, respectively. Patients receiving R-CHOP 14 showed a trend to improved survival. The main causes of death were lymphoma progression (64%), infections (15%), second neoplasms (9%), thrombosis (6%) and cardiac failure (6%). Conclusions: The R-CHOP regimen is well tolerated and achieves improved results and outcome in an unselected population of DLBCL patients. The improved survival in this series require confirmation with longer follow up. The IPI score retains a major prognostic significance for response and survival.

INTRODUCTION. Treatment with IFN and chemotherapy induces a significant improvement of PFS in patients with low-grade NHL, specially in patients with responsive disease. However, the best IFN schedule is still pending as benefits are observed when IFN is administered associated to the induction therapy or, as maintenance treatment or, in both treatment phases.

PURPOSE:The role of molecular monitoring of minimal residual disease (MRD) in low-grade non-Hodgkin's lymphoma is controversial. We have performed a prospective study of the molecular behavior of 35 patients with follicular non-Hodgkin's lymphoma who received cyclophosphamide-vincristine-prednisone chemotherapy in conjunction with IFN-alpha 2b.EXPERIMENTAL DESIGN:Bcl-2 and clonal immunoglobulin heavy chain (IgH) gene rearrangements were assayed at diagnosis by PCR in lymph node and bone marrow (BM) and sequentially after treatment.RESULTS:Molecular markers were detected in BM of 29 (83%) patients at diagnosis: Bcl-2 rearrangement in 20 patients (90% major breakpoint and 10% minor cluster) and clonal IgH rearrangement in 9 of 15 patients negative for Bcl-2. Molecular and clinical response was noted in 25 (86%) patients after induction treatment. Progression-free survival at 5 years was 78.1 +/- 8%. A correlation between clinical and molecular response was found in 24 patients with molecular markers in BM at diagnosis and >2 years of follow-up: 94% of patients with undetectable MRD showed continuous clinical remission, whereas 50% of patients who reverted back to positive molecular markers relapsed (P < 0.05).CONCLUSIONS:The rate of molecular response is high in patients treated with cyclophosphamide-vincristine-prednisone and IFN and MRD sequential analysis is useful for disease surveillance.