Bone Marrow Transplantation for Peripheral T-Cell Non-Hodgkins’ Lymphoma in First Remission

Peripheral T-cell lymphomas (PTCLs) are rare and heterogeneous diseases that carry, with the exception of anaplastic lymphoma kinase-positive (ALK+) anaplastic large cell lymphoma, a poor prognosis when treated with conventional chemotherapy. Historically, PTCL was treated like aggressive B-cell lymphomas, and to date cyclophosphamide, prednisone, vincristine, and doxorubicin (CHOP) remains the most commonly used regimen, despite disappointing results. Given the poor outcomes of PTCL patients, a number of studies have investigated the role of high-dose chemotherapy and autologous stem cell transplantation (HDT/ASCT) in the upfront setting, with different results. However, there are no prospective randomized trials, and the clinical benefit appears to be restricted to patients who achieve an objective response after induction chemotherapy. Nevertheless, with the exception of low-risk ALK+ anaplastic large cell lymphoma, in light of the available data, HDT/ASCT for consolidation should be recommended for patients deemed eligible. The results of phase II trials showed that allogeneic stem cell transplantation can cure some relapsed/refractory patients, and few studies have evaluated this strategy in the frontline setting. With the availability of recently approved new drugs as well as new targeted agents under investigation, a number of ongoing studies are testing novel combinations aiming to improve rate and durability of responses to induction chemotherapy.