Clinical characteristics and treatment evaluation of diffuse large B-cell lymphoma in Chinese children and adolescents: a multicenter clinical study of China-Net childhood lymphoma group B-NHL-2017

TL;DR

This study examines the clinical features and treatment outcomes of diffuse large B-cell lymphoma in Chinese children and adolescents, showing promising survival rates.

Contribution

The study provides new insights into the treatment of DLBCL in Chinese pediatric patients using a standardized protocol.

Findings

The 5-year overall survival rate was 90.7% and the 5-year event-free survival rate was 85.5%.

Not using Rituximab during treatment was identified as an independent risk factor for mortality.

The study protocol's efficacy is comparable to international results for treating pediatric DLBCL.

Abstract

China-Net Childhood Lymphoma (CNCL) group B-NHL-2017 study is a prospective multi-center study in China, with the purpose of standardizing the diagnosis and treatment of childhood lymphoma, and improving the prognosis.

From May 2017 to June 2023, 20 centers participated in the diffuse large B-cell lymphoma (DLBCL) study. The clinical data were analyzed to summarize the clinical characteristics, treatment response and outcome. The primary endpoint was 5-year event-free survival (EFS). The trial is registered with the Chinese Clinical Trial Registry (ChiCTR1800020067).

A total of 138 children and adolescents were enrolled, including 101 males and 37 females. The median age of disease diagnosis was 9.0 years (range: 2.3–15.5 years). The range of follow-up time was 17 d–6.0 years. A total of 12 events occurred in this study, including 7 deaths. of which 4 patients died of disease and chemotherapy comorbidities (severe infection, septic shock, etc.), 1 died of disease progression (enlargement of the primary tumor and tumor metastasis), 1 died of recurrence, and 1 died of severe pneumonia in the third year after completing all chemotherapy courses. Recurrence occurred in 6 (4.3%) patients at 14.9 months (range: 4.4–32.6 months) after initial treatment. The 5-year overall survival (OS) was 90.7 ± 5.0% and the 5-year EFS was 85.5 ± 5.4%. Based on Cox regression analysis, no Rituximab during treatment is an independent risk factor for mortality in patients with DLBCL.

The efficacy of CNCL-B-NHL-2017 protocol in the treatment of DLBCL in children and adolescents is close to results of international studies.

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