June 2016 – This paper describes a paediatric cohort of patients with Burkitt lymphoma, the most prevalent paediatric cancer in Malawi. Using the more intense CHOP-regimen to treat those patients did not improve the outcome significantly.
Outcomes for paediatric Burkitt lymphoma treated with anthracycline-based therapy in Malawi
Stanley CC, Westmoreland KD, Heimlich BJ, El-Mallawany NK, Wasswa P, Mtete I, Butia M, Itimu S, Chasela M, Mtunda M, Chikasema M, Makwakwa V, Kaimila B, Kasonkanji E, Chimzimu F, Kampani C, Dhungel BM, Krysiak R, Montgomery ND, Fedoriw Y, Rosenberg NE, Liomba NG, Gopal S.
British Journal of Haematology
Full text available at Pubmed and British journal of Haematology.
Abstract
Burkitt lymphoma (BL) is the most common paediatric cancer in sub-Saharan Africa (SSA). Anthracyline-based treatment is standard in resource-rich settings, but has not been described in SSA.
Children ≤18 years of age with newly diagnosed BL were prospectively enrolled from June 2013 to May 2015 in Malawi. Staging and supportive care were standardized, as was treatment with CHOP (cyclophosphamide, doxorubicin, vincristine, prednisone) for six cycles.
Among 73 children with BL, median age was 9·2 years (interquartile range 7·7-11·8), 48 (66%) were male and two were positive for human immunodeficiency virus. Twelve (16%) had stage I/II disease, 36 (49%) stage III and 25 (34%) stage IV. Grade 3/4 neutropenia occurred in 17 (25%), and grade 3/4 anaemia in 29 (42%) of 69 evaluable children. Eighteen-month overall survival was 29% (95% confidence interval [CI] 18-41%) overall. Mortality was associated with age >9 years [hazard ratio [HR] 2·13, 95% CI 1·15-3·94], female gender (HR 2·12, 95% CI 1·12-4·03), stage (HR 1·52 per unit, 95% CI 1·07-2·17), lactate dehydrogenase (HR 1·03 per 100 iu/l, 95% CI 1·01-1·05), albumin (HR 0·96 per g/l, 95% CI 0·93-0·99) and performance status (HR 0·78 per 10-point increase, 95% CI 0·69-0·89).
CHOP did not improve outcomes in paediatric BL compared to less intensive regimens in Malawi.