Related Experiment Videos
[Thalidomide therapy in relapsed diffuse large B-cell lymphoma in elderly patients. Three cases]
Nikolett Wohner1, Gergely Varga1, Péter Szloboda2
1III. Belgyógyászati Klinika, Semmelweis Egyetem, Általános Orvostudományi Kar Budapest, Kútvölgyi út 4., 1125.
Orvosi Hetilap
|October 14, 2017
Summary
Thalidomide shows promise for elderly patients with relapsed diffuse large B-cell lymphoma (DLBCL), a common non-Hodgkin lymphoma (NHL). This low-toxicity treatment offers an alternative for patients ineligible for high-toxicity therapies, with two of three cases achieving complete remission.
Area of Science:
- Hematology
- Oncology
- Pharmacology
Background:
- Diffuse large B-cell lymphoma (DLBCL) is the most common adult non-Hodgkin lymphoma (NHL).
- Elderly patients with relapsed DLBCL face treatment challenges due to high chemotherapy toxicity.
- Immunomodulatory drugs (IMiDs), like thalidomide, exhibit anti-angiogenic and immunomodulatory properties.
Observation:
- Three elderly patients with relapsed DLBCL received thalidomide (100 mg) and corticosteroids.
- Two patients had central nervous system (CNS) involvement; one had primary mediastinal disease.
- Two patients achieved complete remission and remained progression-free for 12 and 20 months.
Findings:
- Thalidomide treatment resulted in excellent responses in two elderly DLBCL patients.
- One patient with CNS involvement progressed and unfortunately deceased despite therapy.
- IMiDs demonstrate significant activity in relapsed DLBCL, particularly in elderly populations.
Implications:
- Thalidomide offers a promising, low-cost, and low-toxicity treatment option for elderly patients with relapsed DLBCL.
- This approach may be suitable for patients who cannot tolerate standard high-toxicity treatments.
- Further investigation into thalidomide's efficacy in aggressive relapsed NHL is warranted.