Clinical Characteristics and Outcomes of Relapsed Follicular Lymphoma After Autologous Stem Cell Transplantation at Rituximab Era

Clinical Characteristics and Outcomes of Relapsed Follicular Lymphoma After Autologous Stem Cell Transplantation at Rituximab Era

Introduction High dose chemotherapy followed by Autologous Stem Cell Transplantation (ASCT) is a therapeutic option in follicular Lymphoma after first line treatment failure. The clinical characteristics and outcome of FL patients who relapsed after HDT+ASCT and therapeutic management in the rituximab era are not well known and may represent a difficult challenge.

Patients and Methods: The investigators conducted a retrospective analysis of FL patients who relapsed after HDT+ASCT in four French centers treated between 2000 and 2014. Clinical records were reviewed for clinical characteristics and treatment strategy at relapse. The investigators aimed to identify prognostic factors related to patient's outcome.

Inclusion Criteria:

• they were older than 18 years
• presented FL at diagnosis (Grade 1, 2, or 3a).
• received high-dose therapy (HDT) with ASCT from 2000 to 2014

Exclusion Criteria:

1. they had already been treated with a 1st ASCT,
2. had a previous history of histological transformation before ASCT
3. if they were rituximab naive prior to ASCT.