The investigator prospectively evaluated the combination of Rituximab and Dexa-BEAM (dexamethasone, carmustine, etoposide, cytarabine, melphalan) followed by high dose therapy in patients with relapsed/refractory aggressive and indolent lymphoma.

This study was a prospective, open label, single arm multicenter phase II study. It was approved by the ethics committees of the participating centers, and all regulatory issues and the principles of GCP were followed. The study was initiated in 2002, and recruitment closed in 2006. Final data analysis was performed in 3/2013. The trial had been registered at the clinical trial database of the CIMT consortium The overall treatment plan in brief, eligible patients were treated with two cycles of R-DexaBEAM in a 3-4 week interval, and stem cell mobilization was scheduled after the second cycle. Mobilization after the first cycle was allowed if the patient had received extensive prior therapy and if no evidence of BM-involvement was found. HDT was scheduled within 4-8 weeks after the last R-DexaBEAM cycle in patients achieving at least PR.

Protocols: The applied chemotherapy protocols were as follows: The salvage/mobilization-regimen consisted of R-DexaBEAM: Rituximab 375mg/m² d1, dexamethasone 24 mg t.i.d p.o., d 1-10; BCNU 60mg/m² i.v., d 2; etoposide 75mg/m² i.v., d 4-7; cytarabin 200mg/m² b.i.d i.v., d 4-7 in 2 doses; melphalan 20mg/m² i.v., d3. For high dose radio/chemotherapy, two different conditioning regimens were defined in the protocol: chemo-radiotherapy R-TBI/Cy consisted of Rituximab 375mg/m² i.v. d -7, -2, fractionated total body irradiation with 12 Gy, d -6 to -4; and cyclophosphamide 60 mg/kgbw i.v., day -3 to -2.

The chemotherapy protocol used for conditioning was R-BEAM: Rituximab 375mg/m² i.v. d -8, -2, BCNU 300mg/m² i.v., d -7; cytarabin 400mg/m² b.i.d. i.v., d -6 to -3; etoposide 200mg/m² i.v. b.i.d., d -6 to -3; melphalan 140mg/m² i.v., d -2.

Stem cell mobilization: Following mobilization chemotherapy, stem cells were collected after G-CSF stimulation (5-10µg/kg bw/d, starting on day 11 after R-DexaBEAM) using standard apheresis procedures, and stem cells were processed and cryopreserved according to local standards. A minimum number of 2x106/kgbw CD34 positive cells were required for the conduct of high dose therapy.

Autologous stem cell transfusion: For stem cell rescue after HDT, at least 2x106/kg CD34 positive cells were applied. Stem cells were thawed at bedside and infused via central venous catheter.

Concomitant treatments were conducted according to local standards, e.g. for antiemetic prophylaxis, hydration and parenteral nutrition. At the time of trial initiation, a prophylactic antibiotic treatment was recommended due to local standards, e.g. ciprofloxacin. For PJP prophylaxis co-trimoxazole was mandatory until recovery to a CD4-cell count of 200/µl had been reached or until day 100 post stem cell re-transfusion. In cases of symptomatic CMV-reactivation, treatment with ganciclovir was recommended. In addition, maintenance of immunoglobulin levels at concentrations >5g/l was recommended. G-CSF support was optional after salvage or high dose therapy (5µg/kgbw).

Diagnostic evaluation: Throughout the entire treatment, routine laboratory investigations were performed. In addition, CMV-reactivation screening was mandatory in CMV positive patients. staging procedures including CT-scans were scheduled at baseline, prior to HDT and 2, 6, 9, 12, 18, 24, 36 months after HDT, and thereafter as clinically indicated. Responses were assessed using the criteria of Cheson et al. BM was evaluated at baseline, and re-evaluation was only needed to confirm complete remission.

Statistical analysis The primary efficacy endpoint of the study was progression-free survival (PFS), as calculated for the intent-to-treat population. Event-free survival was defined as the time from the date of trial inclusion to the time of either disease progression or death (irrespective of cause) or the latest follow-up without progression.

Secondary efficacy endpoints were overall response rate at day 60 post stem cell re-transfusion, overall survival (time from inclusion to death, irrespective of cause), safety and side effects, toxicity of high dose therapy according to Bearman score, and number of CMV-reactivations. Further endpoints, which will be reported separately, were the percentage of patients being negative for minimal residual disease (MRD) by either t(14;18) - FL or t(11;14) - MCL PCR, time to immune reconstitution with achievement of a CD4 count of 200/µl.

Results for time-to-event endpoints were analysed according to Kaplan-Meier estimator, and comparisons were performed with the log-rank test. P <0.05 was considered statistically significant. GraphPad Prism version 5.0 for Windows, (GraphPad Software, CA, USA) was used for all calculations. Statistical advice was given by the Institute of Epidemiology and Biometrical Statistics at the University of Mainz.

Inclusion Criteria:

• age between 18 and 65 years
• Patients with aggressive B-cell-lymphoma:diffuse large B-cell lymphoma (DLBCL), mantle cell lymphoma (MCL) or grade IIIB follicular lymphoma (FL) with relapse after complete remission (CR) or failure to achieve CR on treatment.
• Patients with indolent lymphoma: FL grade I-IIIA, marginal zone lymphoma (MZL) and immunocytoma (IC) if relapsed or failure to achieve at least partial remission (PR) on treatment.
• CD20 positive
• previous therapy: at least 3 cycles of anthracycline containing regimens.
• ECOG (Eastern Cooperative Oncology Group) 0-2
• measurable disease
• adequate bone marrow function (absolute neutrophil count [ANC] >1500/µl; platelet count >100,000/µl), unless there was clear evidence of bone marrow involvement
• glomerular filtration rate > 60ml/min
• ASAT(aspartate transaminase)/ALAT(alanine aminotransferase) < 2.5-fold upper limit of normal (ULN) unless associated with liver infiltration
• free from other cancers for at least 5 years, with the exception of basal cell carcinoma and carcinoma in situ of the uterine cervix.
• given informed consent

Exclusion Criteria:

• (central nervous system) CNS-lymphoma
• HIV
• Hepatitis B or C
• pregnancy
• breast-feeding women
• high dose therapy or allogeneic transplantation
• glomerular filtration rate < 60ml/min
• ASAT/ALAT > 2.5-fold upper limit of normal (ULN) unless associated with liver infiltration