Fernanda de Morais Marques , Verena Pfister , Flavia Parra , Leila Perobelli , Valeria Buccheri , Mihoko Yamamoto , Rodrigo Santucci , Sergio Costa Fortier , Vinicius Campos de Molla , Maura Rosane Valerio Ikoma-Colturato , Glaciano Ribeiro , Nelson Hamerschlak , Abel Costa , Laura Maria Fogliatto , Vera Lucia de Piratininga Figueiredo , Talita Silveira , Marcelo Pitombeira de Lacerda , Matheus Vescovi Gonçalves , Carlos Sérgio Chiattone , Jennifer R. Brown , Celso Arrais-Rodrigues
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引用次数: 0
Abstract
Background
The Brazilian Group of CLL (BGCLL) has proposed a more restrictive approach for treatment initiation compared to the International Workshop on Chronic Lymphocytic Leukemia (IWCLL) guidelines. Here, we report on the safety and efficacy of this strategy.
Methods
We performed a retrospective analysis of patients with CLL registered in the Brazilian CLL Registry between January 2009 and July 2023 who met the minimum data availability criteria for analysis. The BGCLL criteria employ stricter thresholds for cytopenias, defining them as hemoglobin levels below 9.5 g/dL or platelet counts below 50,000/mm3, as opposed to the IWCLL criteria of below 10 g/dL and below 100,000/mm3, respectively. Furthermore, the BGCLL criteria do not consider progressive lymphocytosis or disease-related symptoms to be criteria for treatment initiation when cytopenias or symptomatic masses are absent. Survival outcomes were estimated using the Kaplan–Meier method and compared with log-rank tests. Cox proportional hazards models were used for multivariable analysis, with results expressed as hazard ratios and 95% confidence intervals. A P-value <0.05 was considered statistically significant.
Findings
A total of 2511 patients were enrolled from 41 centers. Of these, 1404 patients (56%) met the IWCLL criteria for treatment initiation (liberal criteria), whereas only 788 patients (31%) met the BGCLL criteria (restrictive criteria). Patients with liberal criteria had a better overall survival than those with restrictive criteria (85% vs. 68%, respectively), suggesting that restrictive criteria were more predictive of prognosis than liberal criteria. In addition, patients treated for cytopenias had significantly worse overall survival (69%) compared to those treated for any other indication (97%, P < 0.0001). Patients with disease-related symptoms, progressive lymphocytosis, and extranodal involvement as isolated indications for treatment had similar overall survival to those with no indication for treatment.
Interpretation
Our results demonstrate that a more restrictive approach to treatment initiation in CLL, as proposed by the BGCLL, better identifies patients with higher disease burden and poorer outcomes, while sparing others unnecessary therapy.
Funding
Brazilian Registry of CLL–Brazilian Association of Hematology and Hemotherapy (ABHH)/Coordenação de Aperfeiçoamento de Pessoal de Nível Superior (CAPES).
期刊介绍:
The Lancet Regional Health – Americas, an open-access journal, contributes to The Lancet's global initiative by focusing on health-care quality and access in the Americas. It aims to advance clinical practice and health policy in the region, promoting better health outcomes. The journal publishes high-quality original research advocating change or shedding light on clinical practice and health policy. It welcomes submissions on various regional health topics, including infectious diseases, non-communicable diseases, child and adolescent health, maternal and reproductive health, emergency care, health policy, and health equity.