Predictive capacity of the International Prognostic Factor Index in patients with peripheral T-cell lymphoma

The International Prognostic Factor Index has been shown to predict the outcome of patients with predominantly B-cell lymphomas classified using traditional classifications, including the Working Formulation, but its prognostic importance has not been tested in a cohort of patients with exclusively T-cell lymphomas. This study was conducted to evaluate the prognostic significance of the International Prognostic Factor Index in patients with peripheral T-cell lymphoma (PTCL).

Seventy-eight patients (48 men and 30 women) with PTCL seen at a single institution between 1985 and 1995 were included in the analysis. The morphology and immunocytochemistry of all the original biopsy specimens were reviewed by a single pathologist and classified using the Revised European-American Lymphoma (REAL) classification. The International Prognostic Factor Index, as well as clinical and biochemical parameters, were evaluated by univariate and multivariate analyses to determine their association with patient outcome.

The International Prognostic Factor Index strongly predicted survival when all patients were included in the analysis (P < .001). For patients < or = 60 years, the age-adjusted International Index significantly predicted long-term survival (P = .0218). For patients older than 60 years, the age-adjusted International Index also significantly predicted survival (P = .002). Liver involvement (P = .006) and bone marrow involvement (P = .014) were also significant prognostic factors in the univariate analysis, but only the International Index remained significant in the multivariate analysis (P = .001).

The International Prognostic Factor Index, which significantly predicts outcome in patients with aggressive/intermediate-grade B-cell lymphomas, has similar prognostic importance in patients with PTCL.