Efficacy of L-Asparaginase Combination Therapy in Localized Extranodal NK/T-Cell Lymphoma: A Single Institution Experience

Background: Nasal extranodal natural killer (NK)/T-cell lymphoma are highly aggressive diseases with a poor outcome. Several studies have shown the interest of L-asparaginase in salvage therapy and first-line L-asparaginase combination therapy for advanced stage extranodal NK/T-cell lymphoma should be tested in prospective trials. We report the first experience of treatment with L-asparaginase in salvage therapy and front-line based- regimen in localized nasal NK/T-cell lymphoma. Patients and methods: We reviewed 13 consecutive localized stages I/II nasal NK/T cell lymphomas, treated in our institution over a 6 years period. 8 patients were treated with CHOP (cyclophosphamide, doxorubicin, oncovin and prednisone) regimen in first-line chemotherapy and with L-asparaginase-based regimen in salvage therapy. Five patients were treated with first-line chemotherapy, including L-asparaginase-based treatment. We report our results in a single retrospective study of these patients with localized stage NK/T-cell lymphoma. Results: The overall response was 70% and the OS was 54% at 52 months. Conclusion: These data confirm the efficacy of L-asparaginase-containing regimens in extranodal nasal NK/Tcell lymphoma.