Lenalidomide combination therapy in relapsed/refractory diffuse large B cell lymphoma: the Italian real-life experience

Abstract Diffuse large B cell lymphoma is the most common Non-Hodgkin Lymphoma in Europe. First and second line of treatment are well established and provide a high percentage of durable responses, while third and further lines of therapy represent a challenge for clinicians. We report the results of a national observational study on the use of lenalidomide combined with rituximab or dexamethasone in patients with relapsed or refractory DLBCL, in a real-life context. Forty-seven patients, median age 72.8 years, were treated with a median of 4 cycles of therapy; 29.8% of patients achieved a complete response (CR), with an overall response rate of 42.6%. A subset of patients maintained response over time; in fact, 6-year-progression free survival (PFS) and overall survival (OS) were 23% and 30%, respectively. Treatment was well tolerated. Combination of lenalidomide with rituximab or dexamethasone represents a valid therapeutic option for patients with relapsed or refractory DLBCL.