Prospective Neurobehavioral Outcomes Follow-up in Primary CNS Lymphoma Patients Treated With Cranial Radiotherapy Combined With or Without MTX-based Chemotherapy According to the Multidisciplinary Treatment Guidelines Implemented at a Single Institute

Background. Primary central nervous system lymphoma (PCNSL) is an uncommon disease. Conventional treatment has consisted of either whole brain radiotherapy (WBRT) or methotrexate (MTX)-based combined modality therapy combining chemotherapy and cranial irradiation. The treatment principles at our institute have been quite consistent in the past, sticking to the treatment protocol reported by Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center in 1990s. No matter what the dosage of MTX is, it is well-established that the addition of chemotherapy to cranial RT significantly improved survival outcomes. However, it was found that delayed treatment-related cognitive sequelae emerged as a significant debilitating complication of combined modality treatment in patients with PCNSL, especially when effective treatment can achieve disease control and better survival rates. Furthermore, the specific contribution of the disease per se and various treatment modalities to cognitive impairment remains to be clarified because the neurotoxic potential of combined modality treatments is difficult to differentiate when each can result in cognitive dysfunctions respectively.

Treatment-related neurotoxicity could be demonstrated by virtue of several meaningful indicators, including neurobehavioral assessments, neuroimaging outcomes, and even measures of quality-of-life (QoL).

Methods. Therefore, this one-year individual research will be a prospective observational cohort study with a longitudinal assessment of neurobehavioral functions, neuroimaging, and quality of life for newly-diagnosed patients with primary CNS lymphoma at our institute. According to our cancer center, it is estimated that there would be around 25 cases of newly-diagnosed primary CNS lymphoma at our institute every year. By virtue of multidisciplinary management and teamwork consisting of neurosurgery, hematology, radiation oncology, neuroimaging expertise, and surgical pathology, investigators will attempt to recruit all potentially eligible patients with newly-diagnosed primary CNS lymphoma. Most importantly, the neuropsychologists will participate in our research project, in an effort to integrate the neurobehavioral outcomes into this prospective study. Accordingly, a battery of neuropsychological measures is used to evaluate neurobehavioral functions for the studied patients. The battery is composed of ten standardized neuropsychological tests, covering four domains sensitive to disease and treatment effects (executive function, attention, verbal memory, psychomotor speed), and QoL questionnaires.

Expected results. This prospective cohort study aims to explore and evaluate patients with PCNSL who are newly-diagnosed by using a standard battery of neurobehavioral functions plus neuroimaging studies. It is anticipated investigators will investigate and correlate neurotoxicity indicators in newly-diagnosed patients with PCNSL who are treated with cranial radiotherapy combined with or without MTX-based chemotherapy according to the multidisciplinary treatment guidelines implemented at a single institute.

Inclusion Criteria:

• All patients must have a histopathologic diagnosis of non-Hodgkin's lymphoma (NHL) by brain biopsy
• A typical MRI/CT scan for primary CNS lymphoma is defined as the presence of hypo, iso, or hyperintense parenchymal contrast-enhancing (usually homogeneously) mass lesion(s)
• Patients must have a normal or negative pre-treatment systemic evaluation including: i. A bone marrow aspirate and biopsy ii. CT scans of the chest, abdomen and pelvis iii. Patients must have adequate bone marrow reserve
• Patients must be HIV-1 negative
• Men and women of reproductive potential must agree to use an acceptable method of birth control during treatment and for six months after completion of treatment

Exclusion Criteria:

• A past history of major psychiatric disease
• Prior cranial irradiation for any reasons
• Other active primary cancer with the exception of basal cell carcinoma of skin and cervical carcinoma in situ
• Pre-existing immunodeficiency such as renal transplant recipient