Maintenance rituximab following induction chemo-immunotherapy for mantle cell lymphoma: long-term follow-up of a pilot study from the Wisconsin Oncology Network

Mantle cell lymphoma (MCL) is challenging to manage, with a median survival of 3-5 years. While intensive strategies are often appropriate for younger patients, these approaches are often not appropriate for older patients. In 2006, we reported our initial results using modified R-hyperCVAD (rituximab with hyperfractionated cyclophosphamide, vincristine, doxorubicin, and dexamethasone) with maintenance rituximab. The complete response rate was 64%, and median progression-free survival (PFS) 37 months. Herein, we update our results, now with a median follow-up of 62 months. The median PFS is unchanged and the median overall survival (OS) is 70 months. The proportion of patients surviving at 5 years is 62%, comparable to studies using intensive strategies in similar patient populations. No late toxicities were noted in our cohort. These long-term results suggest that the modified R-hyperCVAD regimen with maintenance rituximab is an excellent option for older patients with newly diagnosed mantle cell lymphoma.