You are in: eMedicine Specialties > Hematology > Stem Cells and Disorders Lymphoma, Mantle CellArticle Last Updated: May 14, 2007AUTHOR AND EDITOR INFORMATIONAuthor: M Rashid Abbasi, MD, Assistant Professor of Medicine, Albert Einstein College of Medicine, Consulting Staff, Department of Internal Medicine, Division of Hematology/Oncology, Jacobi Medical Center, Morristown Memorial Hospital, and St Clare's Hospital M Rashid Abbasi is a member of the following medical societies: American College of Physicians, American Medical Association, American Society of Clinical Oncology, and American Society of Hematology Coauthor(s): Joseph A Sparano, MD, Professor of Medicine, Albert Einstein College of Medicine/Cancer Center; Program Director, Director of Breast Medical Oncology, Department of Internal Medicine, Division of Oncology, Montefiore Medical Center Editors: Michael Paul Kosty, MD, Associate Director, Associate Professor, Department of Internal Medicine, Divisions of Supportive Care Services and Hematology and Oncology, Ida M and Cecil H Green Cancer Center, Scripps Clinic; Francisco Talavera, PharmD, PhD, Senior Pharmacy Editor, eMedicine; Wendy Hu, MD, Consulting Staff, Department of Hematology/Oncology and Bone Marrow Transplantation, Huntington Memorial Medical Center; Rajalaxmi McKenna, MD, FACP, Consulting Staff, Department of Medicine, Southwest Medical Consultants, SC, Good Samaritan Hospital, Advocate Health Systems; Emmanuel C Besa, MD, Professor, Department of Medicine, Division of Hematologic Malignancies, Kimmel Cancer Center, Thomas Jefferson University Author and Editor Disclosure Synonyms and related keywords: MCL, lymphocytic lymphoma of intermediate differentiation, intermediate lymphocytic lymphoma, ILL, diffuse poorly differentiated lymphocytic lymphoma, PDL, centrocytic lymphoma, diffuse small-cleaved cell lymphoma, DSCCL, mental zone lymphoma INTRODUCTIONBackgroundMantle cell lymphoma (MCL) is recognized in the Revised European-American Lymphoma and World Health Organization classifications as a distinct clinicopathologic entity. MCL was not recognized by previous lymphoma classification schemes; it was frequently categorized as diffuse small-cleaved cell lymphoma (by the International Working Formulation) or centrocytic lymphoma (by the Kiel classification). In the International Lymphoma Classification Project, it accounted for 8% of all non-Hodgkin lymphomas (NHLs). PathophysiologyMCL is a lymphoproliferative disorder derived from a subset of naive pregerminal center cells localized in primary follicles or in the mantle region of secondary follicles. Most cases of MCL are associated with chromosome translocation t(11;14)(q13;q32). This translocation involves the immunoglobulin heavy-chain gene on chromosome 14 and the BCL1 locus on chromosome 11. The molecular consequence of translocation is overexpression of the protein cyclin D1 (coded by the PRAD1 gene located close to the breakpoint). Cyclin D1 plays a key role in cell cycle regulation and progression of cells from G1 phase to S phase by activation of cyclin-dependent kinases. FrequencyUnited StatesNHL represents approximately 4% of all cancer diagnoses and is the seventh most common cancer. MCL represents 2-10% of all NHLs. In 1999, more than 55,000 new cases of NHL were diagnosed. The incidence of NHL of all types has increased by approximately 40% over the last 20 years, although the cause for this increase is unknown. InternationalNHLs are 5 times more common than Hodgkin disease, representing approximately 4% of all cancers diagnosed internationally. The exact international prevalence of MCL is difficult to estimate because of the lack of uniform classification and procedures used for diagnosis. Mortality/MorbidityMCL is associated with a poor prognosis. Although MCL represents only 6% of NHLs, it remains incurable with current chemotherapeutic approaches. Despite response rates of 50-70% with many regimens, the disease typically progresses after chemotherapy. The median survival time is approximately 3 years (range, 2-5 y); the 10-year survival rate is only 5-10%.
RaceOverall, whites are at higher risk for developing NHLs than blacks and Asian Americans. SexThe male-to-female ratio is 4:1. AgeThe age range at presentation is 35-85 years. Median age is 60 years. CLINICALHistory
Physical
Causes
DIFFERENTIALSChronic Lymphocytic Leukemia Hairy Cell Leukemia Lymphoma, Diffuse Large Cell Lymphoma, Follicular Lymphoma, Non-Hodgkin Myeloproliferative Disease
|
| Disease | CD5 | CD20 | CD23 | CD10 | CD103 | FMC7 | Cyelin
D1 |
Sig* |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| MCL | + | ++ | – | – | – | +/– | + | + |
| B-CLL/SLL† | + | + | + | – | – | – | – | + |
| PLL‡ | –/+ | ++ | +/– | – | – | + | – | ++ |
| MZL§ | – | ++ | – | – | – | +/– | – | + |
| SLVL|| | – | ++ | –/+ | – | – | +/– | – | ++ |
| LPL¶ | – | + | – | – | – | –/+ | – | ++ |
| FL# | – | ++ | – | + | – | +/– | – | ++ |
| HCL** | – | + | – | – | + | + | –/+ | ++ |
Lymph node
Tumor is characterized by expansion of the mantle zone that surrounds the lymph node germinal centers by small-to-medium atypical lymphocytes. These cells have irregular and indented nuclei, moderately coarse chromatin, and scant cytoplasm, resembling smaller cells of follicular lymphoma. However, mitoses are more numerous and large cells are infrequent. A nodular appearance may be evident from expansion of the mantle zone in 30-50% of patients early in the disease. As disease progresses, the germinal centers become effaced, with obliteration of lymph node architecture.
A blastic variant of MCL, demonstrating numerous medium-to-large blastlike cells, has been reported and is associated with a more aggressive clinical course.
Bone marrow
In bone marrow sections, neoplastic cells may infiltrate in a focal, often paratrabecular or diffuse pattern. Diagnosis of MCL should not be based on the examination of bone marrow alone; obtaining a lymph node biopsy is required.
Single alkylating agents
This therapy (eg, chlorambucil, 0.1-0.2 mg/kg for 3-6 wk) may be preferable for elderly patients or for those with serious comorbid medical problems who require therapy for lymphoma.
CVP and CHOP regimens
Combination chemotherapy (ie, cyclophosphamide, vincristine, prednisone [CVP]; cyclophosphamide, hydroxydaunomycin, Oncovin [vincristine], prednisone [CHOP]) was studied in a randomized prospective trial. The comparison of CVP and CHOP showed no advantage of adding doxorubicin, with similar response and survival rates. In some retrospective analyses, doxorubicin-containing regimens were associated with a longer event-free survival.
The dosages for CVP and CHOP chemotherapy regimens are as follows:
Hyper-CVAD (with or without rituximab) regimen
First-line therapy is with hyperfractionated cyclophosphamide, doxorubicin, vincristine, and dexamethasone (hyper-CVAD) with or without rituximab. Single-institution data (ie, M.D. Anderson Cancer Center) using hyper-CVAD plus rituximab yielded encouraging results as front-line therapy, especially in patients younger than 65 years.
Frontline therapy with hyper-CVAD plus rituximab (R-hyper-CVAD) in persons with MCL shows a higher complete response rate and response duration than any other regimen (100% response rate with 89% complete response). At 36 months, the failure-free survival rate was greater than 80% in patients younger than 65 years versus less than 50% in patients older than 65 years. In addition to age (ie, >65 y), beta2-microglobulin was found to be a very strong prognostic factor, especially in patients older than 65 years. Although very encouraging, this regimen is intensive and relatively toxic; data must be confirmed in randomized trials.
The hyper-CVAD drug regimen is a total of 8 cycles, 4 cycles of course A and 4 cycles of course B. Each cycle is started upon hematological recovery, usually every 3 weeks.
Course A is as follows:
Course B is as follows:
Premedication and supportive measures are recommended in combination with the R-hyper-CVAD regimen. With high-dose methotrexate, give hydration with sodium bicarbonate for 48 hours. Prophylactic use of dexamethasone 0.1% (Pred Forte ophthalmic solution), 1-2 drops every 4 hours while the patient is awake, for 7 days (during high-dose cytarabine administration) helps prevent conjunctivitis. Antibiotic also prophylaxis may be given. Additionally, doses should be modified according to the protocol with which the patient is being treated.
R-CHOP regimen
Another regimen is CHOP plus rituximab (R-CHOP). A phase 2 randomized trial of CHOP versus R-CHOP in patients with previously untreated MCL was reported by the German Low-Grade Lymphoma Study Group at the 2004 American Society of Clinical Oncology meeting. The complete response rate was higher with R-CHOP (34% vs 7%; P = .00024). The time to treatment failure was also in favor of R-CHOP, but the time to progression showed no significant difference.
Hyper-CVAD with autologous stem cell transplantation
Hyper-CVAD with or without rituximab followed by autologous stem cell transplantation (ASCT) was tested at the M.D. Anderson Cancer Center as a frontline regimen. It did not appear superior to hyper-CVAD over time, especially after the addition of rituximab to hyper-CVAD.
R-hyper-CVAD
This therapy is currently being tested in patients with relapsed MCL in whom fludarabine or CHOP failed, but the results are not yet available. However, based on the frontline data, this is an acceptable option in patients with relapse. Future combinations of R-hyper-CVAD with other biologicals or new agents are potentially promising options.
Hyper-CVAD with or without rituximab followed by ASCT
Studies have shown that ASCT either as frontline consolidation or in the context of relapse provides high response rates and may improve disease-free survival, although this therapy is still typically associated with a continuous pattern of relapse.
Nucleoside analogues and combinations
With the use of fludarabine, mitoxantrone, and dexamethasone (FND); fludarabine and cyclophosphamide (FC); and fludarabine, cyclophosphamide, mitoxantrone (FCM), all with or without rituximab, evidence has shown that fludarabine as a single agent has activity in MCL. A higher complete response rate and/or longer response duration has been suggested when used in combination with an alkylator (eg, FC), with an anthracycline (eg, FND or fludarabine plus idarubicin), or both (eg, FCM). Such combinations could be used in refractory or relapse settings, with comparable response rates and duration of response.
The addition of rituximab to all of these regimens is clearly beneficial. For example, with FCM in a series of 38 patients with relapsed MCL, the overall response rate was 65% with rituximab versus 33% without rituximab, and the complete response rate was 35% with rituximab versus 0% without rituximab.
Other nucleoside analogs have activity in MCL, such as 2-chlorodeoxyadenosine, which was also found to be superior in combination with mitoxantrone.
Salvage chemotherapy combinations (eg, R-ICE, ESHAP) followed by ASCT
Rituximab, ifosfamide, carboplatin, and etoposide (R-ICE) or etoposide, methylprednisolone (Solu-Medrol), high-dose cytosine arabinoside, and cisplatin (ESHAP) followed by ASCT has been used; however the role of ASCT consolidation after salvage therapy remains controversial and may benefit only a subset of patients with relapsed MCL. On the other hand, data for nonmyeloablative transplantation are very promising, with some long-term survivors, including patients in whom prior high-dose therapy had failed.
Bortezomib (Velcade)
Recent trials from the Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center, National Cancer Institute of Canada, and M.D. Anderson Cancer Center have shown promising results with bortezomib for MCL. Goy and O'Connor have established the therapeutic activity of bortezomib in relapsed and refractory MCL, and their work is now being extended and confirmed in multicenter trials in the US and Canada with single-agent bortezomib, bortezomib in combination with chemotherapy and/or rituximab, and as a component of front-line therapy for MCL and other lymphomas (Fisher RI, J Clin Oncol 2005; 23:657-8).
FDA has recently (12/06) approved Velcade for MCL in patients who have recieved at least one prior therapy. This approval was based on findings from the PINNACLE trial, a prospective, phase 2, multicenter, single arm, open-label study of 155 patients. Overall response rate was 31% with 8% CR. Median duration of response was 9.3 months in responding patients and 15.4 in patients with CR.
Velcade Regimen:
Velcade 1.3 mg/m2 IV push twice per week (days 1, 4, 8, 11) followed by 10-day treatment free period (21 day cycle) for 8 cycles. Patients with stable disease or partial responses could receive up to 1 y; not to exceed maximum 17 cycles.
Radioimmunotherapy
Both iodine I 131–based tositumomab (Bexxar) and yttrium 90–based ibritumomab tiuxetan (Zevalin) have shown activity as single agents for salvage therapy in persons with MCL. Studies have reported responses with radioimmunotherapy (RIT) in MCL, including some complete responses that lasted more than 1 year. Additional ongoing studies are exploring combinations of RIT with chemotherapy for untreated or relapsed MCL. Strategies including RIT as part of high-dose therapy have shown encouraging results.
The use of RIT as part of a nonmyeloablative allotransplantation conditioning regimen is another promising strategy currently being tested in clinical trials.
Monoclonal antibodies
The anti-CD20 monoclonal antibody rituximab, used as a single agent, has activity in MCL, yielding a response rate of 35%, a complete response rate of 10-15%, and a median duration of response of approximately 1 year in rituximab-naive patients. The potential role of rituximab as a maintenance therapy for patients with MCL is not yet well defined. The benefit of rituximab has been confirmed in combination with all chemotherapy regimens tested.
Rituximab and thalidomide combination
Promising results have been shown using rituximab (standard dose) and thalidomide (200 mg/d, with incremental dose increases to 400 mg on day 15) continued as maintenance therapy until progression or relapse. In this small series, the response rate was 81% (complete response rate of 31%) and the median progression-free survival was 20.4 months (95% confidence interval, 17.3-23.6). The estimated 3-year survival rate was 75%. This approach would be an appealing alternative in elderly patients.
High-dose chemotherapy with autologous bone marrow or stem cell transplantation
High-dose chemotherapy with autologous bone marrow or stem cell transplantation has not been proven curative for MCL when used as second-line therapy. Long-term survival data are currently unavailable in the setting of high-dose chemotherapy applied as consolidation therapy to patients in first complete remission
New agents and combinations in trials:
1. Chemotherapy + Rituximab followed by RIT: this option is currently being tested as part of frontline therapy.
2. mTOR inhibitors 14, CDK inhibitors or small molecule inhibitors of Bcl-2 family members. However these compounds are still being tested as part of clinical trials. Preclinical data suggest that several of these new biological agents can be combined with rituximab showing additive or synergistic effect.
3. Combination of bortezomib and rituximab, which was tested in indolent NHL (follicular and marginal zone) 15 and is currently being tested in MCL as well.
4. Promising results have also been shown using rituximab (standard dose) and thalidomide 16 with an ORR of 81% (CR rate 31%) and median progression-free survival (PFS) was 20.4 months (95% CI, 17.3 to 23.6) in the relapse setting.
5. Lenalidomide - rituximab also being tested.
For selected patients, allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell transplantation from HLA-matched donors is a potential therapeutic option that remains investigational.
Impair cell function by forming covalent bonds with DNA, RNA, and proteins. Alkylating agents are not cell cycle phase–specific and are used for both hematologic and nonhematologic malignancies.
| Drug Name | Chlorambucil (Leukeran) |
|---|---|
| Description | Used mainly for CLL, Hodgkin disease, indolent NHL, and Waldenström macroglobulinemia. Reliably absorbed in GI tract and administered PO. |
| Adult Dose | 0.1-0.2 mg/kg PO, 4-10 mg/d, for 3-6 wk |
| Pediatric Dose | Not established |
| Contraindications | Documented hypersensitivity (and cross-hypersensitivity); history of prior resistance |
| Interactions | None reported |
| Pregnancy | D - Unsafe in pregnancy |
| Precautions | Slowly progressive lymphopenia and some neutropenia; do not administer before fourth wk of radiation or chemotherapy |
| Drug Name | Cyclophosphamide (Cytoxan) |
|---|---|
| Description | Used mainly in combination regimens for hematologic and nonhematologic malignancies. Part of CHOP and CVP regimens for lymphoma treatment. |
| Adult Dose | 750-1000 mg/m2 IV on day 1 in CHOP and CVP regimens |
| Pediatric Dose | Not established |
| Contraindications | Documented hypersensitivity; severely depressed bone marrow function; nursing mothers; serious infection |
| Interactions | Barbiturates may increase cyclophosphamide conversion to its toxic metabolites; chloramphenicol half-life is increased; succinylcholine metabolism is blocked; increases leukopenia with thiazide diuretics; anticoagulants effect increased; digoxin level decreased; doxorubicin-induced cardiotoxicity increased |
| Pregnancy | D - Unsafe in pregnancy |
| Precautions | Depressed bone marrow function, known hypersensitivity, and recent radiation therapy |
Bind to nucleic acid by intercalation with base pairs of DNA double helix, interfering with DNA synthesis. Causes inhibition of DNA topoisomerases I and II.
| Drug Name | Doxorubicin (Adriamycin) |
|---|---|
| Description | Important part of multiple chemotherapeutic regimens for lymphomas, including CHOP. |
| Adult Dose | 50 mg/m2 IV on day 1 of CHOP regimen |
| Pediatric Dose | Not established |
| Contraindications | Marked myelosuppression; previous treatment with complete cumulative doses of doxorubicin, daunorubicin, idarubicin, and/or other anthracyclines |
| Interactions | Increases incidence of cyclophosphamide-induced hemorrhagic cystitis; increases hepatotoxicity with 6-mercaptopurine; cyclosporin may induce coma and/or seizures; phenobarbital increases elimination; phenytoin levels may be decreased |
| Pregnancy | D - Unsafe in pregnancy |
| Precautions | Not an antimicrobial agent; red discoloration of urine; discontinue nursing during treatment; check and monitor cardiac function (LVEF) prior to therapy; rate of CHF exceeds 5% if cumulative dose >500-550 mg/m2 |
Inhibit microtubule assembly, causing arrest of cell division at metaphase stage of mitosis. Cell cycle phase–specific at M and S phases.
| Drug Name | Vincristine (Oncovin) |
|---|---|
| Description | Used in hematologic and nonhematologic malignancies. Part of CVP and CHOP regimens for lymphoma. |
| Adult Dose | 1.4 mg/m2 IV; not to exceed 2 mg |
| Pediatric Dose | Not established |
| Contraindications | Documented hypersensitivity; IT administration can result in death; preexisting neurotoxicity or neuromuscular disease |
| Interactions | May decrease blood levels of phenytoin; may increase methotrexate cellular uptake |
| Pregnancy | D - Unsafe in pregnancy |
| Precautions | No IT use; impaired liver function; concomitant neurotoxic drugs; patient receiving radiation to fields that include liver |
Glucocorticoids cause profound and varied metabolic effects. In addition, modify immune responses to diverse stimuli.
| Drug Name | Prednisone (Deltasone) |
|---|---|
| Description | Used in combination chemotherapy regimens, especially for hematologic malignancies. Part of CVP and CHOP regimens for lymphoma treatment. |
| Adult Dose | 100 mg/m2 PO days 1-5 in CHOP and CVP regimens |
| Pediatric Dose | Not established |
| Contraindications | Documented hypersensitivity; systemic fungal infection |
| Interactions | Coadministration with estrogens may decrease clearance; concurrent use with digoxin may cause digitalis toxicity secondary to hypokalemia; phenobarbital, phenytoin, and rifampin may increase metabolism of glucocorticoids (consider increasing maintenance dose); monitor for hypokalemia with coadministration of diuretics |
| Pregnancy | C - Safety for use during pregnancy has not been established. |
| Precautions | Caution in patients with dyspepsia, peptic ulcer disease, advanced diabetes, or known psychiatric history |
Mechanism by which exerts antitumor or antiviral activity not clearly understood. However, direct antiproliferative action against tumor cells, inhibition of virus replication, and modulation of host immune responses are believed to possibly play important roles.
| Drug Name | Interferon alfa-2b (Intron A) |
|---|---|
| Description | Protein product manufactured by recombinant DNA technology. Mechanism of antitumor activity not clearly understood; however, direct antiproliferative effects against malignant cells and modulation of host immune response may play important roles. |
| Adult Dose | 5 million IU SC 3 times/wk for as long as 18 mo in conjunction with or following an anthracycline-containing chemotherapy regimen |
| Pediatric Dose | Not established |
| Contraindications | Documented hypersensitivity |
| Interactions | Potential risk of renal failure when administered concurrently with interleukin 2; theophylline may increase toxicity by reducing clearance; cimetidine may increase antitumor effects; zidovudine and vinblastine may increase toxicity |
| Pregnancy | C - Safety for use during pregnancy has not been established. |
| Precautions | Rarely, acute hypersensitivity reaction occurs; can exacerbate psoriasis; variation exists in dosage, route, and adverse effects with different brands; caution against performing tasks that would require complete mental alertness (eg, operating machinery, driving a motor vehicle); not known whether drug is excreted in human milk; caution in patients with prior psychiatric history |
Rituximab is a genetically engineered chimeric (murine and human) monoclonal antibody directed against the CD20 antigen found on surface of normal cells and in high copy number on malignant B lymphocytes.
| Drug Name | Rituximab (Rituxan) |
|---|---|
| Description | Increasingly being used in CD20-positive low-grade lymphomas refractory to conventional therapy. |
| Adult Dose | 375 mg/m2 as a slow IV infusion; repeat dose once qwk for 4 wk |
| Pediatric Dose | Not established |
| Contraindications | Documented hypersensitivity |
| Interactions | None reported |
| Pregnancy | C - Safety for use during pregnancy has not been established. |
| Precautions | Infusion-related hypersensitivity reaction during first infusion may rarely be fatal, usually occurs within 30-120 min of starting infusion, and resolves by slowing infusion rate and providing supportive measures; patients with leucocytosis from circulating lymphoma cells, bulky sites of lymphoma, or pulmonary involvement are at increased risk for pulmonary reaction |
Disrupts cell cycle and pathways supporting cell growth.
| Drug Name | Bortezomib (Velcade) |
|---|---|
| Description | First drug approved of anticancer agents known as proteasome inhibitors. The proteasome pathway is an enzyme complex existing in all cells. This complex degrades ubiquitinated proteins that control the cell cycle and cellular processes and maintains cellular homeostasis. Reversible proteasome inhibition disrupts pathways supporting cell growth, thus decreases cancer cell survival. |
| Adult Dose | 1.3 mg/m2 IV bolus 2 times/wk for 2 wk (ie, days 1, 4, 8, and 11); rest for 10 d (ie, days 12-21), then repeat cycle |
| Pediatric Dose | Not established |
| Contraindications | Documented hypersensitivity to bortezomib, boron, or mannitol |
| Interactions | Substrate of CYP450 isoenzymes 1A2, 2C9, 2C19, 2D6, and 3A4; may inhibit CYP450 2C19, therefore caution with coadministration of isoenzyme 2C19 substrates (eg, barbiturates, phenytoin, valproic acid, imipramine, lansoprazole, warfarin) |
| Pregnancy | D - Unsafe in pregnancy |
| Precautions | Common adverse effects include nausea, fatigue, diarrhea, constipation, headache, decreased appetite, thrombocytopenia, anemia, fever, vomiting, or peripheral neuropathy (modify dose if neuropathy occurs); may cause hypotension; caution with hepatic impairment; at least 72 h should elapse between each dose |
Article Last Updated: May 14, 2007