Outcome of Patients With Early-Stage Infradiaphragmatic Hodgkin Lymphoma: A Comprehensive Analysis From the German Hodgkin Study Group

2018 ◽  
Vol 36 (25) ◽  
pp. 2603-2611 ◽  
Author(s):  
Stephanie Sasse ◽  
Helen Goergen ◽  
Annette Plütschow ◽  
Boris Böll ◽  
Dennis A. Eichenauer ◽  
...  

Purpose The prognostic effect of isolated infradiaphragmatic involvement in Hodgkin lymphoma (HL) is controversial, and there are little data about patients treated with current therapies. Therefore, we performed a risk factor analysis to focus on isolated nodal infradiaphragmatic disease in patients treated within the German Hodgkin Study Group trials HD13 (clinical trial information: ISRCTN63474366) and HD14 (clinical trial information: ISRCTN04761296) for early-stage HL. Patients and Methods Characteristics and outcomes of patients who had infradiaphragmatic HL were compared with patients who had supradiaphragmatic disease. Progression-free survival (PFS) and overall survival (OS) were estimated according to Kaplan-Meier methods and were compared between groups using the log-rank test and Cox proportional hazards regression, which was also applied for multivariable analyses that adjusted for relevant baseline characteristics. Results Of 2,903 qualified patients, 223 (7.7%) were diagnosed with isolated nodal infradiaphragmatic disease. In general, these patients were older, had a poorer performance status, were more often male, and had the nodular sclerosis subtype less often than those with supradiaphragmatic disease. After a median follow-up time of 51 months, PFS and OS were significantly worse in patients with infradiaphragmatic disease (5-year PFS and OS, 80.1% and 91.5% v 91.2% and 97.6% in patients with supradiaphragmatic disease; each P < .001). In multivariable analyses, infradiaphragmatic HL remained a significant risk factor in terms of PFS (hazard ratio [HR], 1.5; 95% CI, 1.04 to 2.2; P = .03) and OS (HR, 2.0; 95% CI, 1.2 to 3.5; P = .01). However, inferior PFS and OS could not be observed among those patients treated with the more intensive chemotherapy (two cycles of doxorubicin, bleomycin, vinblastine, and dacarbazine [ABVD] in HD13, and two cycles of escalated bleomycin, etoposide, doxorubicin, cyclophosphamide, vincristine, procarbazine, and prednisone [BEACOPPescalated] plus two cycles of ABVD in HD14; all patients received 30 Gy of involved-field radiotherapy). Conclusion Early-stage HL that presents with infradiaphragmatic disease only represents a distinct patient group with an inferior outcome. However, this adverse outcome can be outweighed by appropriate combined modality treatment.

Blood ◽  
2016 ◽  
Vol 127 (18) ◽  
pp. 2189-2192 ◽  
Author(s):  
Boris Böll ◽  
Helen Goergen ◽  
Karolin Behringer ◽  
Paul J. Bröckelmann ◽  
Felicitas Hitz ◽  
...  

Key Points Two cycles of ABVD or AVD were equally tolerable in older early-stage favorable HL patients. Excessive toxicity including severe bleomycin-induced lung toxicity occurred in older HL patients receiving 4 cycles of ABVD.


2017 ◽  
Vol 35 (18) ◽  
pp. 1999-2007 ◽  
Author(s):  
Stephanie Sasse ◽  
Paul J. Bröckelmann ◽  
Helen Goergen ◽  
Annette Plütschow ◽  
Horst Müller ◽  
...  

Purpose Combined-modality treatment is widely considered the standard of care in early-stage Hodgkin lymphoma (HL), and treatment intensity has been reduced over the last years. Long-term follow-up is important to judge both efficacy and safety of the different therapies used. Patients and Methods We analyzed updated follow-up data on 4,276 patients treated within the German Hodgkin Study Group trials HD7 and HD10 for early-stage favorable HL and HD8 and HD11 for early-stage unfavorable HL between 1993 and 2003. Results In HD7 (N = 627; median follow-up, 120 months), combined-modality treatment was superior to extended-field radiotherapy (RT), with 15-year progression-free survival (PFS) of 73% versus 52% (hazard ratio [HR], 0.5; 95% CI, 0.3 to 0.6; P < .001), without differences in overall survival (OS). In HD10 (N = 1,190; median follow-up, 98 months), noninferiority of two cycles of doxorubicin, bleomycin, vinblastine, dacarbazine (ABVD) plus 20 Gy involved-field (IF)–RT to more intensive four cycles of ABVD plus 30 Gy IF-RT was confirmed with 10-year PFS of 87% each (HR, 1.0; 95%, 0.6 to 1.5) and OS of 94% each (HR, 0.9; 95% CI, 0.5 to 1.6), respectively. In both trials, no differences in second neoplasias were observed. In HD8 (N = 1,064; median follow-up, 153 months), noninferiority of involved-field RT to extended-field RT regarding PFS was confirmed (HR, 1.0; 95% CI, 0.8 to 1.2). In HD11 (N = 1,395; median follow-up, 106 months), superiority of bleomycin, etoposide, doxorubicin, cyclophosphamide, vincristine, procarbazine, and prednisone at baseline over ABVD was not observed. After BEACOPPbaseline, 20 Gy IF-RT was noninferior to 30 Gy (10-year PFS, 84% v 84%; HR, 1.0; 95% CI, 0.7 to 1.5). In contrast, PFS was inferior in ABVD-treated patients receiving 20 Gy instead of 30 Gy IF-RT (10-year PFS, 76% v 84%; HR, 1.5; 95% CI, 1.0 to 2.1). No differences in OS or second neoplasias were observed in in both trials. Conclusion Long-term follow-up data of the four randomized trials largely support the current risk-adapted therapeutic strategies in early-stage HL. Nevertheless, continued follow-up is necessary to assess the long-term safety of currently applied therapeutic strategies.


2015 ◽  
Vol 33 (26) ◽  
pp. 2857-2862 ◽  
Author(s):  
Dennis A. Eichenauer ◽  
Annette Plütschow ◽  
Michael Fuchs ◽  
Bastian von Tresckow ◽  
Boris Böll ◽  
...  

Purpose The optimal treatment of stage IA nodular lymphocyte-predominant Hodgkin lymphoma (NLPHL) is not well defined. Thus, we performed an analysis using the database of the German Hodgkin Study Group. Patients and Methods The long-term outcome of 256 patients with stage IA NLPHL was evaluated. Patients had received combined-modality treatment (CMT; n = 72), extended-field radiotherapy (EF-RT; n = 49), involved-field radiotherapy (IF-RT; n = 108), or four weekly standard doses of rituximab (n = 27) within German Hodgkin Study Group clinical trial protocols between 1988 and 2009. Results The median age at NLPHL diagnosis was 39 years (range, 16 to 75 years). Most patients were male (76%). The whole patient group had a median follow-up of 91 months (CMT: 95 months; EF-RT: 110 months; IF-RT: 87 months; rituximab: 49 months). At 8 years, progression-free survival and overall survival rates were 88.5% and 98.6% for CMT, 84.3% and 95.7% for EF-RT, and 91.9% and 99.0% for IF-RT, respectively. Patients treated with rituximab had 4-year progression-free and overall survival rates of 81.0% and 100%, respectively. A second malignancy during the course of follow-up was diagnosed in 17 (6.6%) of 256 patients. A total of 12 deaths occurred. However, only one patient died from NLPHL. Conclusion Tumor control in this analysis was equivalent with CMT, EF-RT, and IF-RT. Therefore, IF-RT, which is associated with the lowest risk for the development of toxic effects, should be considered as standard of care for patients with stage IA NLPHL. Rituximab alone is associated with an increased risk of relapse in this patient population.


2017 ◽  
Vol 35 (13) ◽  
pp. 1444-1450 ◽  
Author(s):  
Paul J. Bröckelmann ◽  
Helen Goergen ◽  
Charlotte Kohnhorst ◽  
Bastian von Tresckow ◽  
Alden Moccia ◽  
...  

Purpose Clinical characteristics, therapeutic approaches, and prognosis of late relapse (LR) in patients with classic Hodgkin lymphoma (cHL) are poorly understood. We performed a comprehensive analysis of LR of Hodgkin lymphoma (LR-HL). Methods To estimate the incidence of LR-HL, we retrospectively analyzed 6,840 patients with cHL included in the German Hodgkin Study Group trials HD7 to HD12. Patients who experienced a relapse > 5 years into remission were compared with patients in continued remission for > 5 years and with those who experienced a relapse ≤ 5 years after first diagnosis. Results With a median observation time of 10.3 years, 141 incidences of LR-HL were observed. Cumulative incidences at 10, 15, and 20 years rose linearly and were 2.5%, 4.3%, and 6.9%, respectively. The standardized incidence ratio for HL with respect to age- and sex-matched German reference data was 84.5 (95% CI, 71.2 to 99.7). LR-HL was more frequently observed in patients with early-stage favorable than unfavorable or advanced stage at first diagnosis (15-year cumulative incidence, 5.3% v 3.9% and 3.9%, respectively; P = .01). Overall survival from first diagnosis was worse after LR compared with nonrelapse survivors (10-year estimate, 95.8% v 86.1%; hazard ratio, 2.5; 95% CI, 1.7 to 3.5; P < .001). In patients with LR-HL, survival was better compared with 466 patients with earlier relapse (hazard ratio, 0.6; 95% CI, 0.4 to 0.9, P = .01). Forty-four percent and 49% of patients with LR-HL and earlier relapse, respectively, received stem cell transplantations. Conclusion Apart from treatment-associated adverse effects, survivors after initially successful therapy for cHL are at an 85-fold risk for recurrence of disease compared with the general German population. After risk-adapted treatment strategies, especially in early-stage favorable HL, regular clinical follow-up is recommended for timely detection of LR-HL. With adequate treatment, prognosis of LR-HL is better compared with early relapses.


2013 ◽  
Vol 31 (2) ◽  
pp. 231-239 ◽  
Author(s):  
Karolin Behringer ◽  
Horst Mueller ◽  
Helen Goergen ◽  
Indra Thielen ◽  
Angelika Diana Eibl ◽  
...  

Purpose To optimize fertility advice in patients with Hodgkin lymphoma (HL) before therapy and during survivorship, information on the impact of chemotherapy is needed. Therefore, we analyzed gonadal functions in survivors of HL. Patients and Methods Women younger than age 40 and men younger than 50 years at diagnosis in ongoing remission at least 1 year after therapy within the German Hodgkin Study Group HD13 to HD15 trials for early- and advanced-stage HL were included. Hormone parameters, menstrual cycle, symptoms of hypogonadism, and offspring were evaluated. Results A total of 1,323 (55%) of 2,412 contacted female and male survivors were evaluable for the current analysis (mean follow-up, 46 and 48 months, respectively). Follicle-stimulating hormone, anti-Müllerian hormone, and inhibin B levels correlated significantly with therapy intensity (P < .001). Low birth rates were observed in survivors after advanced-stage treatment within the observation time (women, 6.5%; men, 3.3%). Regular menstrual cycle was reported by more than 90% of female survivors of early-stage HL (recovery time mostly ≤ 12 months). After six to eight cycles of bleomycin, etoposide, doxorubicin, cyclophosphamide, vincristine, procarbazine, and prednisone, menstrual activity was strongly related to age (< v ≥ 30 years: 82% v 45%, respectively; P < .001; prolonged recovery time). Thirty-four percent of women age ≥ 30 years suffered severe menopausal symptoms (three- to four-fold more frequently than expected). In contrast, male survivors had mean levels of testosterone within the normal range and reported no increased symptoms of hypogonadism. Conclusion The present analysis in a large group of survivors of HL provides well-grounded information on gonadal toxicity of currently used treatment regimens and allows risk-adapted fertility preservation and comprehensive support during therapy and follow-up.


Blood ◽  
2014 ◽  
Vol 124 (21) ◽  
pp. 3058-3058 ◽  
Author(s):  
Dennis A. Eichenauer ◽  
Annette Pluetschow ◽  
Michael Fuchs ◽  
Karolin Behringer ◽  
Boris Böll ◽  
...  

Abstract Introduction: Nodular lymphocyte-predominant Hodgkin lymphoma (NLPHL) is a rare lymphoma entity accounting for about 5% of all HL cases. As compared with classical HL (cHL), NLPHL is characterized by the absence of CD30 and the consistent expression of CD20 on the malignant lymphocyte predominant (LP) cells. Given a more indolent clinical course, especially early-stage NLPHL is often treated less aggressive than classical HL (cHL). In stage IA patients, radiotherapy (RT) alone is applied at most institutions. However, this clinical practice is not based on data from prospective clinical trials with sufficient follow-up. To shed more light on the optimal treatment of stage IA NLPHL, we performed an analysis including patients with long-term follow-up treated within German Hodgkin Study Group (GHSG) clinical trials. Patients: A total of 256 stage IA NLPHL patients treated within 7 prospective GHSG studies between 1988 and 2009 were included in the analysis. Treatment consisted of combined-modality treatment (CMT) (n=72), extended-field RT (EF-RT) (n=49), involved-field RT (IF-RT) (n=108) or four weekly doses of the anti-CD20 antibody rituximab (n=27). Results: The median age at NLPHL diagnosis was 38.5 years (range: 17-75); 194/256 (75.8%) patients were male and 62/256 (24.2%) patients were female. Median follow-up for the whole patient group was 91 months (98 months for CMT, 118 months for EF-RT, 87 months for IF-RT, 49 months for rituximab). All patients responded to treatment irrespective of the treatment modality applied. At 8 years, progression-free survival (PFS) and overall survival (OS) rates were 88.5% and 94.5% for CMT, 84.3% and 95.7% for EF-RT and 91.9% and 99.0% for IF-RT; 4-year PFS and OS rates for patients treated with rituximab were 81.0% and 100%. Seventeen patients developed a second malignancy in the course of follow-up (8 after CMT, 3 after EF-RT, 4 after IF-RT, 2 after rituxmab). Nine of these second malignancies were solid tumors (4 after CMT, 2 after EF-RT, 1 after IF-RT, 2 after rituximab) and 8 were hematologic malignancies (4 after CMT, 1 after EF-RT, 3 after IF-RT, none after rituximab). A total 12 deaths occurred. The most common cause of death was cardiac failure (n=3). Only one patient died from NLPHL. Conclusion: Based on this large analysis with long-term follow-up, IF-RT should be the standard of care for stage IA NLPHL. Treatment with single agent rituximab is associated with an increased event rate when compared with IF-RT and should therefore not be routinely used in stage IA NLPHL patients. However, given the shorter follow-up in comparison with CMT, EF-RT and IF-RT, final conclusions regarding rituximab especially in terms of treatment-related late sequelae cannot yet be drawn. Addition of chemotherapy does not improve the excellent outcome achieved with RT alone. Disclosures Off Label Use: Rituximab in NLPHL.


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