The impact of time from diagnosis to treatment in diffuse large B-cell lymphoma

Diffuse large B-cell lymphoma (DLBCL) is a high-grade lymphoma that requires treatment. We retrospectively analyzed the impact of time from diagnosis-to-treatment (TDT) on progression-free survival (PFS) and overall survival (OS) in 581 R-CHOP-treated patients. TDT was defined as the interval between diagnostic biopsy date and day 1 R-CHOP. Cox regression showed stage 3-4 disease (p = .01) and longer TDT (HR 1.13, p =.031) were associated with shorter OS. Eastern Cooperative Oncology Group ≥2 (p = .02), stage 3-4 disease (p < .001), and longer TDT (HR 1.12, p = .028) predicted shorter PFS. The significant interactions between TDT with lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) and with disease stage prompted separate analyses in high versus normal LDH, and stage 3-4 versus 1-2 disease. Longer TDT was associated with shortened PFS and OS only with advanced stage, and, if high LDH was present. Treatment should be started as early as possible for high-tumor burden disease. Delaying treatment in patients with early stage or low LDH does not seem harmful.