Efficacy of the Nordic and the MSKCC chemotherapy protocols on the overall and progression-free survival in intracranial PCNSL.

BACKGROUND: To compare the Nordic and the Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center (MSKCC) chemotherapy protocols for Overall Survival (OS) and Progression-Free Survival (PFS) for intracranial primary CNS lymphoma (PCNSL).

METHODS: A prospective database at Oslo University Hospital of PCNSL was reviewed over a 12-year period (2003-2014).

RESULTS: Overall, 79 patients with PCNSL were identified, of whom 57 received chemotherapy. MSKCC with Rituximab (RTX) was used in 18 patients (32%) who had median OS of 46.3 months [9.8-131.9] and median PFS of 34.6 months [6.4-131.9]. The Nordic protocol was used in 14 patients (25%) who had median OS of 30.9 months [2.7-106.3] and PFS of 14.3 months [0.0-106.3]. The MSKCC was used without RTX in 25 patients (44%) who had OS of 15.2 months [0.7-136.5] and PFS of 12.0 months [0.0-117.0]. MSKCC with RTX had a significantly longer median OS (p < 0.05) compared to the other regimens in univariate analysis. In multivariate analysis, the only prognostic factor for OS and PFS of significance was deep brain involvement (p < 0.005).

CONCLUSIONS: In univariate analysis, the MSKCC with RTX achieved significantly longer median OS compared to the Nordic protocol. However, in multivariate analysis, the only prognostic factor for survival of statistical significance was deep brain involvement.