Combination R-BAC Good Against Mantle Cell Lymphoma

Results of a recently published Phase II study by Italian researchers indicate that combination therapy with cytarabine, bendamustine and rituximab can deliver strong response-related outcomes against mantle cell lymphoma.

This combination, also known by the acronym R-BAC, was tested in 40 patients with confirmed mantle cell lymphoma, all of whom were at least 65 years old. Half of the patients were treatment naïve, while the other half had relapsed or refractory MCL following a single regimen of immunochemotherapy.

The primary outcome measure for this study was overall response rate (ORR), which was measure by PET scan. Secondary endpoints were progression-free survival, overall survival and safety. The safety of the dosage was performed in stage one of the study to determine the maximum tolerated dose of cytarabine. Participants then received rituximab on the first day, bendamustine on days two and three, and cytarabine on days two and four every 28 days for between four and six cycles.

Almost all of the participants were staged as having either stage III or stage IV mantle cell lymphoma.

Response Rates

Results indicated that the response rate among the treatment naïve cohort was 100 percent, and this group had a 95 percent rate of progression free survival.

Among the previously treated group the overall response rate was 80 percent, and the progression free survival rate was 70 percent.

The researchers concluded:

On the basis of its remarkable activity, as well as stem-cell mobilizing potential in the first-line setting, R-BAC could be a useful option in the preintensification phase for younger patients with MCL, in whom achieving complete response before transplantation can elicit long-lasting remissions.

Source: Journal of Clinical Oncology