ALBERT

Description: Previously untreated mantle cell lymphoma (MCL) are consistently associated with poor prognosis when treated with CHOP-like regimens. Typically the CR rate is 20–30%, median FFS = 10–16 months and median OS = 3 years. In the attempt to improve outcome we used a high dose intensity regimen such as Hyper-CVAD (HCVAD) with autologous stem cell transplant (ASCT). Twenty patients entered the study but only 10 up to now are valuable. Patients were apheresed after 2nd course of HCVAD and if apheresis (LPH) were PCR positive (Bcl1+/JH+) a second set of LPH were performed after completion of 4th cycle. To perform an in vivo purging Rituximab 375 mg/m2 was added at day +1 and +9 after last dose of ARA-C; GCSF 10μg/kg was commenced on day +5 until LPH was ultimated. Rituximab maintenance (375 mg/m2 once weekly for 4 consecutive weeks) started 2 month post-ASCT and was repeated every 6 months. Ten patients have completed 4 HCVAD and 7 /10 underwent ASCT and were conditioned with BEAM. After 4 HCVAD 7/10 patients were in CR and 3/7 in PR. After ASCT 1 PR obtained a CR, 1 PD obtained a VGPR and 5 CR maintained CR. Only 4CR post ASCT have received Rituximab maintenance and maintain CR. Two patients (1 CR blastic variant and 1 PR) refused ASCT and after 4 HCVAD received Rituximab maintenance and both are in CCR. Overall with a median follow up of 28.6 months (range 12–51) median survival is not reached. At 4 years 77.8% of patients are alive and PFS is 87.9%. Patients were monitored for bone marrow-MRD by PCR. Eight out of 10 were PCR+ at diagnosis and 7/8 were PCR negative after 4 HCVAD. After ASCT one PCR+ converted to PCR- and 1 PCR+ patient after 4 HCVAD converted to PCR- with Rituximab maintenance (refused ASCT). Conclusions: high dose intensity regimen HCVAD + Rituximab as in vivo purging and for maintenance allowed to collect tumor free grafts in 70% of PCR+patients at diagnosis and to reach an ORR of 100%, 7/10 CR and PR 3/10 (included 1 blastic variant). PCR negativity was obtained in 7/8 patients. One patient from PR converted to CR after ASCT and one after Rituximab maintenance (without ASCT); thus we might speculate that both high doses (BEAM) and Rituximab do play a role to increase the probability to obtain a CR and PCR-. Survival and PFS of 77.8% and 87.9% respectively at 4 years are encouraging. Further follow up and a higher enrolment of patients are needed to better define the role of HCVAD + Rituximab and ASCT to increase CR,PCR- PFS and OS in MCL.