Fotemustine-Based in Combination with Rituximab As First-Line Induction Chemotherapy for Newly Diagnosed Primary Central Nervous System Lymphoma:a Prospective Phaseii Trial

Objective:To evaluate the safety, efficacy, and feasibility of rituximab, fotemustine, pemetrexed and dexamethasone (R-FPD) regimen for primary central nervous system lymphoma (PCNSL) patients.

Methods:A prospective, single-center, single-arm, phase II clinical trial. Patients with newly diagnosed PCNSL diagnosed from the First Affiliated Hospital of Zhengzhou University from July 2018 to July 2020. R-FPD regimen consisted of rituximab (375 mg/m2 i.v. on D0), fotemustine (100mg/m2 i.v. on D1) ,pemetrexed (600mg/m2 i.v. on D1), and dexamethasone (40 mg i.v. on D1).(NCT04083066)

Results: 30 patients were included. After two cycles, the objective response rate(ORR) was 96.4%(27/28,26 PR,1 CR,0 SD,0 PD,2 Censored),the disease control rate(DCR) was 96.4%(27/28); After four cycles, the ORR was 71.4% (15/21, 5PR,10 CR,1SD,5PD,7NR,2 Censored),DCR was 76.2%(16/21). The median progression-free survival (PFS) was 20.3 months (95%CI:5.2--35.4),The median overall survival (OS) was 22.0 months (95%CI:16.1-27.9).The grade III-IV toxicities were mainly leukopenia(17.9%), thrombocypenia(25%) and anemia(10.7%).

Conclusion: Fotemustine-based in combination with Rituximab chemotherapy can improve outcomes with the progress free survival and the overall survival benefits, as well as with better tolerability for newly diagnosed PCNSL patients.

Keywords: rituximab; primary central nervous system lymphoma; pemetrexed; fotemustine; efficacy