Chidamide in combination with chemotherapy in refractory and relapsed T lymphoblastic lymphoma/leukemia

Abstract

Chidamide, a novel histone deacetylase inhibitor, has exerted effects in T-cell tumors through various mechanisms. Seventeen patients with refractory or relapsed T-cell acute lymphoblastic lymphoma/leukemia (T-LBL/ALL) received Chidamide combined with chemotherapy as salvage treatment. Historical data was analyzed as comparison as chemotherapy group. Complete response (CR) rate and overall response rate (ORR) of Chidamide + chemotherapy group were higher than that of chemotherapy group after one course. Chidamide + chemotherapy group had a better progress-free survival (PFS) compared to chemotherapy group. No difference in overall survival (OS) was observed. Grade 3/4 nonhematological adverse events (>10%) of patients in Chidamide + chemotherapy group included febrile neutropenia (64.7%), drug-induced liver failure (17.6%), decreased fibrinogen (11.8%), sepsis (11.8%), pneumonitis (11.8%), and oral mucositis (11.8%). This study demonstrates that Chidamide included regimen may be a new treatment strategy with an acceptable safety profile for refractory or relapsed T-LBL/ALL patients but requires further investigation.

Keywords:

• Precursor T-cell lymphoblastic leukemia-lymphoma
• early T-cell precursor acute lymphoblastic lymphoma/leukemia
• Chidamide
• salvage therapy
• hematopoietic stem cell transplantation

Acknowledgements

Professor Li Yonghui and Wang Lili of the Department of Hematology, Chinese PLA general hospital were thanked for their guidance and support during the research.

Disclosure statement

No potential conflict of interest was reported by the authors.

Additional information

Funding

We would like to present our gratitude to the National Nature Science Foundation of China [grant no. 81670162, 81870134, 81570137, 81470010, 81800135] and National Public Health Grant Research Foundation [grant no. 201202017] for funding our research.