title: First-line autologous stem cell transplantation in primary CNS lymphoma.
abstract: The treatment of primary central nervous system lymphoma (PCNSL) has been considerably improved over recent years. In this article, we report six cases of PCNSL treated by first-line induction chemotherapy followed by intensive chemotherapy and autologous stem cell transplantation (ASCT). Six immunocompetent patients presenting with a PCNSL, confirmed by thoraco-abdomino-pelvic computer tomography scan and bone marrow biopsy, were treated with induction chemotherapy followed by BEAM intensive chemotherapy and ASCT and radiotherapy. At the end of the treatment, all the patients were in complete remission. After a median follow-up of 41.5 months (17-70 months), four patients were alive without signs of relapse (median survival: 35.5 months). Two patients died from relapse at 19 and 23 months. The neurotoxicity was low with epilepsy in one patient and persistent left side dysesthesia in another one. These results are fairly encouraging. Other studies with greater numbers of patients and longer follow-up are needed to confirm this study.
authors.affiliation: Centre Hospitalier Universitaire Amiens, Service des Maladies du Sang, Rue Laennec, 80054 Amiens Cedex 01, France.
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Brevet
authors.forename: R
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Garidi
authors.forename: B
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Gruson
authors.forename: B
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Royer
authors.forename: I
authors.initials: I
authors.lastname: Vaida
authors.forename: G
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Damaj
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000971:Antineoplastic Combined Chemotherapy Protocols / Q000627:therapeutic use / Q000633:toxicity; D002330:Carmustine / Q000627:therapeutic use; D016543:Central Nervous System Neoplasms / Q000150:complications / Q000401:mortality / Q000628:therapy*; D003131:Combined Modality Therapy / Q000009:adverse effects; D003561:Cytarabine / Q000627:therapeutic use; D005047:Etoposide / Q000627:therapeutic use; D005260:Female; D018380:Hematopoietic Stem Cell Transplantation / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000379:methods* / Q000401:mortality; D006801:Humans; D007121:Immunocompetence; D008223:Lymphoma / Q000150:complications / Q000401:mortality / Q000628:therapy*; D008297:Male; D008558:Melphalan / Q000627:therapeutic use; D008875:Middle Aged; D020258:Neurotoxicity Syndromes / Q000209:etiology; D018714:Radiotherapy, Adjuvant; D012008:Recurrence; D012074:Remission Induction / Q000379:methods; D015996:Survival Rate; D014182:Transplantation, Autologous
chemical_list: D003561:Cytarabine; D005047:Etoposide; D008558:Melphalan; D002330:Carmustine