Follicular Lymphoma in Chile in the Adult Public Cancer Program: The Impact of Chemoimmunotherapy

Background

Follicular lymphoma (FL) is the most common indolent non-Hodgkin lymphoma (NHL) in the United States and Europe. However, data on FL from Latin America are scant.

Aims

This study aims at better understand the clinical features, treatment patterns and outcomes of patients with FL in Chile. Of special interest was to evaluate POD24 as an adverse marker.

Methods and Results

We collected retrospective data from 722 patients 15 years or older diagnosed with FL and treated in 17 cancer centers in Chile between 2000 and 2019. Time to first treatment (TTFT), progression-free survival (PFS) and overall survival (OS) were estimated using the Kaplan–Meier method. Cox proportional-hazard regression models were fitted to investigate prognostic factor. The median age at diagnosis was 62 with a female predominance (63%); 73% of patients had advance stage disease and 68% had bone marrow involvement; 63% had intermediate or high FLIPI scores. The 1-year TTFT rate was 96%, and 30% of patients received chemoimmunotherapy. Adding rituximab to chemotherapy was associated with a higher complete response (69% vs. 60%; p < 0.001) and superior median OS (16 vs. 8 years; p < 0.001). Patients who experience POD24 had an inferior median OS (2.4 vs. 15 years).

Conclusion

Our study shows a female predominance in patients with FL in Chile and confirms superior response and survival outcomes with adding rituximab to chemotherapy. Our study also confirms a poor OS in patients who experience POD24.