Relapsed/refractory diffuse large B-cell lymphoma: review of the management of transplant-eligible patients

Relapsed or refractory diffuse large B-cell lymphoma (DLBCL) is difficult to treat, with limited therapeutic options. Review of prognostic indices, DLBCL genetic classification, previous rituximab exposure, interval from previous therapy, chemosensitivity to salvage therapy and response on imaging is helpful when deciding upon appropriate candidates for further therapy. For appropriately selected patients, the primary strategy is to obtain remission with salvage therapy and proceed to autologous stem cell transplant (ASCT). However, salvage therapy and transplant conditioning regimens are suboptimal, as are therapeutic options for patients who relapse following ASCT. Recent research highlights the ongoing difficulty in the treatment of relapsed/refractory DLBCL, and novel treatments are needed.