Abstract
Nasal NK/T-cell lymphoma is a rare presentation of T-cell lymphoma in USA and in Europe, but is the most common presentation in Latin America. The lymphoma is associated with a worse prognosis even in the early stage. Until now, a better treatment has not been determined. We performed a prospective, open-label, controlled clinical trial to assess the efficacy and toxicity of the most common treatment options. We treated 427 patients, of whom 109 patients received radiotherapy (RT), 116 patients received chemotherapy (C), and 202 patients received combined therapy (CT), which were balanced according to stage and prognostic factors. Complete response was achieved in 91 % (95 % confidence interval CI 88–102 %) in CT arm 69 % (95 % CI 61–75 %) in RT arm; and 59 % (95 % CI 48–64 %) in C arm (p < 0.01). A progression-free disease was 91 % (95 % CI 83–96 %); 78 % (95 % CI 69–86 %); and 40 % (95 % CI 32–46 %), respectively (p < 0.01). Actuarial curves of overall survival at 5 years were as follows: 86 % (95 % CI 81–90 %), for CT; 64 % (95 % CI 59–70 %) for RT; and 45 % (95 % CI 39–51 %) for C (p < 0.001). Toxicity was mild and well tolerated. To our knowledge, this is the first controlled clinical trial, with a large number of patients and longer follow-up. Thus, we conclude that CT is the best therapeutic option in this setting of patients.
Similar content being viewed by others
References
Ushimi K. Progress, understanding and management of natural killer-cell malignancies. Br J Haematol. 2007;139:532–44.
Kohrt H, Advani R. Extranodal natural killer/T-cell lymphoma. Leuk Lymphoma. 2009;50:1773–84.
Avilés A, Rodriguez L, Guzmán R, et al. Angiocentric T-cell lymphoma of the nose, paranasal sinuses and hard palate. Hematol Oncol. 1992;10:141–4.
Avilés A, Díaz N, Neri N, Cleto S, Talavera A. Angiocentric nasal T/natural killer cell lymphoma. A single centre study of prognostic factors in 108 patients. Clin Lab Haematol. 2000;22:215–20.
Li YX, Luang H, Feng XL, et al. Immunophenotypic characteristics and clinical relevance of CD56+ and CD56−, extranodal nasal-type natural killer/T-cell lymphoma. Leuk Lymphoma. 2011;52:417–24.
Ai W, Chang ET, Fish K, Fu K, Weisenburguer SS, Keegan THM. Racial patterns of extranodal natural killer/T-cell lymphoma, nasal type in California. Br J Haematol. 2012;156:626–32.
Li YX, Liu QF, Fang H, et al. Variable clinical presentations of nasal and Waldeyer ring natural killer/T-cell lymphoma. Clin Cancer Res. 2009;15:2905–12.
Kim GE, Cho JH, Yang WO et al. Angiocentric lymphoma of head and neck: Patterns of systemic failure after radiation therapy. J Clin Oncol. 2006;244–63.
Li YX, Liu GF, Wang HW, et al. Failure patterns and clinical implications in early stage nasal natural killer/T-cell lymphoma treated with primary radiotherapy. Cancer. 2011;117:5203–11.
Lee J, Suh C, Park YH, et al. Extranodal natural killer/T-cell lymphoma, nasal type: prognostic model from an retrospective multicenter study. J Clin Oncol. 2006;24:612–8.
Suzuki R, Suzumiya J, Yamaguchi M, et al. Prognostic factors for nature natural killer (NK) cell neoplasms: aggressive NK-cell leukemia and extranodal NK-cell lymphoma, nasal type. Ann Oncol. 2010;21:1032–40.
Wang ZY, Li YX, Wang H, et al. Unfavourable prognosis of elderly patients with early-stage extranodal nasal-type NK/T-cell lymphoma. Ann Oncol. 2011;22:390–6.
Wang ZY, Li XY, Wang WH, et al. Primary radiotherapy showed favorable outcome in treating extra nodal nasal-type NK/T-cell lymphoma in children and adolescents. Blood. 2009;114:4771–6.
Yoo JY, Chi KH, Ymg MH, et al. Radiation therapy versus chemotherapy as initial treatment for localized nasal natural killer/T-cell lymphoma. Ann Oncol. 2004;15:618–25.
Chim CS, Ma SY, Au YA, et al. Primary natural killer cell lymphoma. Long term treatment outcome and relationship with the International Prognostic Index. Blood. 2004;103:212–24.
Shikama N, Uceda H, Nakamura S, et al. Localize aggressive non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma of the nasal cavity. Int J Radiat Oncol Biol Phys. 2001;51:1228–33.
Cheong MM, Chan JKC, Lau WN, et al. Early stage nasal NK/T-cell lymphoma. Clinical outcome, prognostic factors and the effect of treatment modality. Int J Radiat Oncol Biol Phys. 2002;54:182–90.
MacDonald SL, Mulroy L, Wilke DR, Burrel S. PET/CT aids the staging of and radiotherapy planning for early –stage extranodal natural killer/T-cell lymphoma, nasal type. Radiat Oncol. 2011;6:182.
Wang H, Li YX, Wang WH, et al. Mild toxicity and favorable prognosis of high-dose and extended involved field, intensity-modulated radiotherapy for patients with early stage nasal NK/T-cell lymphoma. Int J Radiat Oncol Biol Phys. 2012;82:1115–21.
Li YX, Wang H, Jin J, et al. Radiotherapy alone with curative intent in patients with stage I extranodal, nasal type NK/T-cell lymphoma. Int J Radiat Oncol Biol Phys. 2012;82:1809–15.
Chauchetad A, Michallet AS, Berger F, et al. Complete remission after first-line radio-chemotherapy as predictor of survival in extranodal NK/T-cell lymphoma. J Hematol Oncol. 2012;8:2–7.
Huang LI, Lin X, Cai Q, et al. Long-term outcome of patients with newly diagnosed natural-killer/T-cell lymphoma treated with etoposide, prednisone, vincristine, cyclophosphamide, and doxorubicin regimen. Leuk Lymphoma. 2011;52:1041–8.
Yamaguchi M, Tobinai K, Oguchima M, et al. Phase I/II study of concurrent chemoradiotherapy for localized nasal natural killer/T-cell lymphoma. J Clin Oncol. 2009;27:5594–600.
Kim SJ, Kim K, Kim BS, et al. Phase II trial of concurrent radiation and weekly cisplatin followed by VIPD chemotherapy in newly diagnosed stage IE to IIE, nasal, extranodal NK/T-cell lymphoma. J Clin Oncol. 2009;27:6027–32.
Shimada K, Suzuki R. Concurrent chemoradiotherapy for limited stage extranodal, natural killer/T-cell lymphoma, nasal type. J Clin Oncol. 2010;29:e239. (Letter).
Jaclard A, Cachard N, Marin B, et al. Efficacy of L-asparaginase with methotrexate and dexametasone (Asad-Met-Dex regimen) in patients with refractory or relapsing extranodal NK/T-cell lymphoma. Blood. 2011;117:1834–9.
Yamaguchi M, Kuong YL, Kim KS, et al. Phase II trial of SMILE chemotherapy for newly diagnosed stage IV, relapsed or refractory extranodal natural killer/T-cell lymphoma, nasal type. J Clin Oncol. 2009;29:4410–6.
Yong W, Zheng W, Zhu J, et al. L-asparaginase in the treatment of refractory and relapsed extranodal NK/T-cell lymphoma, nasal type. Ann Hematol. 2009;88:647–52.
Chan A, Tang T, Ne T, et al. To SMILE or not: supportive care matters. J Clin Oncol. 2012;30:1015–6. (Letter).
Kwong YL, Anderson BO, Advani R, Kim WS, Levine AM, Lin ST. Management of T-cell and natural-killer neoplasm in Asia. Lancet Oncol. 2009;10:1093–101.
Avilés A, Neri N, Fernandez R, Calva A, Huerta-Guzmán J, Nambo MJ. Nasal NK/T-cell lymphoma with disseminated disease treated with aggressive combined chemotherapy. Med Oncol. 2003;20:13–7.
Avilés A, Cleto S, Castañeda C, Nambo MJ. CMED in the treatment of nasal natural-killer T/-cell lymphoma with distant metastases. Hematology. 2007;12:241–4.
Cheson BD, Horning SJ, Coiffier B, et al. Report of an International Workshop to standardize response criteria for non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma. J Clin Oncol. 1999;17:1244–53.
Ishida F, Nishina S, Asano N, et al. Late relapse of extranodal natural-killer/T-cell lymphoma alter more that 10 years. Leuk Lymphoma. 2010;51:171–3.
Acknowledgments
The present work did not receive any financial support and was performed with the owner resources of the Mexican Institute of Social Security.
Conflict of interest
All authors disclose no conflict of interest.
Author information
Authors and Affiliations
Corresponding author
Rights and permissions
About this article
Cite this article
Avilés, A., Neri, N., Fernández, R. et al. Combined therapy in untreated patients improves outcome in Nasal NK/T lymphoma: results of a clinical trial. Med Oncol 30, 637 (2013). https://doi.org/10.1007/s12032-013-0637-1
Received:
Accepted:
Published:
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s12032-013-0637-1