[Present and future perspective of the treatment of peripheral T-cell lymphoma]

Peripheral T-cell lymphoma (PTCL) is a kind of aggressive lymphoma with a poorer prognosis than mature B-cell lymphoma. Presently, the standard of care for PTCL is considered to be the CHOP regimen, yet clinical outcomes remain insufficient. The intensification of chemotherapy and front-line high-dose chemotherapy have been examined as potential therapeutic strategies by several clinical trials. A recent double-blind phase III trial examining the effects of brentuximab vedotin (BV) when incorporated into front-line chemotherapy involved CD30-positive PTCL cases and found that a progression-free survival benefit was observed by adding BV to the therapeutic regimen, especially in the context of anaplastic large-cell lymphoma. Other molecular target agents, i.e., antibodies and small molecules, have also actively been developed. Investigators should conduct further clinical trials to establish the next standard treatment by the optimization of classic chemotherapeutic agents and molecular target agents.