A Modified NHL-BFM-95 Regimen Produces Better Outcome than HyperCVAD in Adult Patients with T-Lymphoblastic Lymphoma, a Two-Institution Experience

Purpose: Lymphoblastic lymphoma (LBL) is an invasive neoplasm of precursor T-cell or B-cell lineage. A broadly accepted standard treatment for adult LBL has not yet been defined. Materials and Methods: To address this issue, we compared two chemotherapy regimens: a modified non-Hodgkin lymphoma Berlin-Frankfurt-Munster-95 (NHL-BFM-95) regimen and HyperCVAD/MA. This retrospective study consecutively enrolled 207 adult LBL patients at two hospitals from 2000 to 2018. Univariate and multivariate analysis were used to assess prognostic factors. Results: In the present study, most clinical characteristics were similar between the two treatment groups except for age and lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) level. Patients treated with modified NHL-BFM-95 regimen tended to be younger and with elevated LDH level. The modified NHL-BFM-95 regimen produced better treatment outcomes than those with HyperCVAD/MA in patients with T-LBL or patients < 40 years. Treatment with HyperCVAD/MA, high Eastern Cooperative Oncology Group scores, and bone marrow involvement were independent risk factors in T-LBL. No patients interrupted treatment for severe adverse events. Conclusion: The results suggested that the modified regimen is well-tolerated and can produce the promising outcomes in patients with T-LBL or patients < 40 years.