ANAPLASTIC LARGE-CELL LYMPHOMA (CD30+ KI-1+) - ANALYSIS OF 35 CASES FOLLOWED AT GISL CENTERS/

Between January 1988 and June 1992, 35 patients with primary anaplasti c large cell lymphoma (ALCL)CD30+ were referred to one of the institut ions participating in GISL (Gruppo Italiano per lo Studio dei Linformi ). 16 patients were treated with ProMACE-CytaBOM, two with MACOP-B, on e with CHOP and one with LSA(2)-L(2). As of November 1990, all newly d iagnosed patients were treated with MOPP/EBV/CAD hybrid. 27 (77%) case s of ALCL CD30+ and 8 (23%) cases of Hodgkin's-related (HR) lymphoma C D30+ were diagnosed. Extranodal disease was present in 22 cases (63%), and 8 patients (23%) had primary bone marrow involvement. Twenty-thre e complete remissions (CR) (66%), six partial remissions (PR) (17%) an d six no remissions (NR) (17%) were achieved with induction therapy. R esults achieved with ProMACE-CytaBOM and MOPP/EBV/CAD hybrid were comp arable. The overall response rate (CR+PR) was 85% for patients with cl assic ALCL CD30+ and 87% for those with HR lymphoma CD30+. The 3 year estimated overall survival rate was 66% and the 3 year relapse free su rvival rate was 65% for the entire group. The only significant favoura ble prognostic factor was the achievement of CR with initial therapy. Our findings suggest that ALCL (CD30+/Ki-1+) has a clinical outcome si milar to aggressive non-Hodgkin's lymphoma (NHL). The use of an anthra cycline-containing regimen will provide a change of cure in approximat ely 65% of cases.