title: MACOP-B and involved-field radiotherapy is an effective and safe therapy for primary mediastinal large B cell lymphoma.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To report the clinical findings and long-term results of front-line, third-generation MACOP-B (methotrexate, doxorubicin, cyclophosphamide, vincristine, prednisone, and bleomycin) chemotherapy and mediastinal involved-field radiotherapy (IFRT) in 85 consecutive, previously untreated patients with primary mediastinal large B cell lymphoma (PMLBCL) diagnosed and managed at a single institution.
  
  
  METHODS
  Between 1991 and April 2004, 92 consecutive, untreated patients with PMLBCL were treated at our institution. The median age was 33 years (range, 15-61 years), 46 patients (50%) showed a mediastinal syndrome at onset; 52 patients (57%) showed a low/low-intermediate (0 to 1) and 40 patients (43%) an intermediate-high/high (2 to 3) International Prognostic Index (IPI) score. Eighty-five patients were treated with standard chemotherapy (MACOP-B), and 80 underwent mediastinal IFRT at a dose of 30-36 Gy.
  
  
  RESULTS
  After a MACOP-B regimen, the overall response rate was 87% and the partial response rate 9%. After chemotherapy, (67)Ga scintigraphy/positron emission tomography results were positive in 43 of 52 patients (83%), whereas after IFRT 11 of 52 patients (21%) remained positive (p < 0.0001). After a median follow-up of 81 months (range, 2-196 months), progression or relapse was observed in 15 of 84 patients (18%). The projected 5-year overall survival and progression-free survival rates were 87% and 81%, respectively. The 5-year overall survival and progression-free survival rates were better for patients with an IPI of 0 to 1 than for those with an IPI of 2 to 3 (96% vs. 73% [p = 0.002] and 90% vs. 67% [p = 0.007], respectively).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Combined-modality treatment with intensive chemotherapy plus mediastinal IFRT induces high response and lymphoma-free survival rates. Involved-field RT plays an important role in inducing negative results on (67)Ga scintigraphy/positron emission tomography in patients responsive to chemotherapy.
authors.affiliation: Department of Radiation and Radiotherapy, University of Rome La Sapienza, Rome, Italy.
authors.forename: Vitaliana
authors.initials: V
authors.lastname: De Sanctis
authors.forename: Erica
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Finolezzi
authors.forename: Mattia Falchetto
authors.initials: MF
authors.lastname: Osti
authors.forename: Lavinia
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Grapulin
authors.forename: Marco
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Alfò
authors.forename: Edoardo
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Pescarmona
authors.forename: Francesca
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Berardi
authors.forename: Fiammetta
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Natalino
authors.forename: Maria Luisa
authors.initials: ML
authors.lastname: Moleti
authors.forename: Alice
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Di Rocco
authors.forename: Riccardo Maurizi
authors.initials: RM
authors.lastname: Enrici
authors.forename: Robin
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Foà
authors.forename: Maurizio
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Martelli
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000971:Antineoplastic Combined Chemotherapy Protocols / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D001761:Bleomycin / Q000008:administration & dosage; D003520:Cyclophosphamide / Q000008:administration & dosage; D004317:Doxorubicin / Q000008:administration & dosage; D006801:Humans; D007558:Italy / Q000453:epidemiology; D002955:Leucovorin / Q000008:administration & dosage; D008137:Longitudinal Studies; D016393:Lymphoma, B-Cell / Q000401:mortality* / Q000628:therapy*; D008479:Mediastinal Neoplasms / Q000401:mortality* / Q000628:therapy*; D008727:Methotrexate / Q000008:administration & dosage; D008875:Middle Aged; D011241:Prednisone / Q000008:administration & dosage; D015995:Prevalence; D018714:Radiotherapy, Adjuvant; D016019:Survival Analysis; D015996:Survival Rate; D016896:Treatment Outcome; D014750:Vincristine / Q000008:administration & dosage
chemical_list: D001761:Bleomycin; D014750:Vincristine; D004317:Doxorubicin; D003520:Cyclophosphamide; D002955:Leucovorin; D011241:Prednisone; D008727:Methotrexate