For Non-Hodgkin Lymphoma Patients, Early Transplants Are No Better Than Chemotherapy Followed By Transplant

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BlankFor Non-Hodgkin Lymphoma Patients, Early Transplants Are No Better Than

Chemotherapy Followed By Transplant

07 Jun 2011

Patients with a very aggressive form of non-Hodgkin lymphoma who receive a stem

cell transplant after standard chemotherapy during their first remission have

comparable survival rates to those who receive the same standard therapy alone

and, if needed, a transplant when they relapse. These findings from a U.S. and

Canadian clinical trial of 370 patients conducted at 40 clinical institutions

were presented by Stiff, MD, lead investigator and director, Loyola

Cardinal Bernardin Cancer Center, at the annual meeting for the American Society

of Clinical Oncology (ASCO).

" The trial was based on several preliminary studies that indicated a survival

benefit to early stem cell transplants, " Dr. Stiff said. " These findings may

save some patients from undergoing a stem cell transplant unnecessarily. "

However, a subset with all of the possible poor risk factors with this form of

non-Hodgkin lymphoma did seem to have a higher chance of survival in a sub-

analysis.

" Additional research is necessary to determine the best plan of care for the

highest-risk patients, " Dr. Stiff said. " In the meantime, these patients will

have to consult with their physician to carefully determine their treatment

plan. "

Source:

Nora Plunkett

Loyola University Health System

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Article URL: http://www.medicalnewstoday.com/releases/227659.php