Predicting outcomes using the MIPI score for newly-diagnosed patients with MCL

This study evaluated the use of the MIPI score for patients with newly diagnosed mantle cell lymphoma (MCL). This study concluded that the MIPI score may better predict prognosis for these patients.

MCL is a type of non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma that significantly differs between individual patients. The MCL international prognostic index (MIPI) score has been used to evaluate the outcomes of patients with MCL. This index can help personalize treatments for patients.

The MIPI index categorizes patients into three groups: low risk (0 – 3 points), intermediate risk (4 – 5 points) or high risk (6 or more points). Data about the treatments and outcomes of patients with MCL in China remains limited. The prognostic value of the MIPI index for these patients remains under investigation.

This study involved 83 patients with newly diagnosed MCL. Patients were followed-up for an average of 19.1 months.

Significantly more patients responded to chemoimmunotherapy regimens containing rituximab (Rituxan) compared to chemotherapy alone (88.5% vs. 65.2%). The complete response (disappearance of all signs of cancer) rate was also significantly higher (53.8% vs. 13.0%).

At follow-up, the average progression-free survival (time from treatment until tumor growth or spread; PFS) was 27.8 months. The average overall survival (time from treatment until death from any cause) was 58.1 months. At 3 years, the average PFS was 46.9% and the average OS was 60.1%.

PFS was significantly higher for patients treated with regimens containing rituximab versus those without rituximab (45.5 months vs. 16.2 months). OS was also significantly higher (58.3 months vs. 22.8 months).

When using the MIPI score, the average PFS was lower for patients with intermediate-risk disease compared to patients with high-risk disease (19.6 months vs. 22.5 months). The average OS was also lower (38.4 months vs. 42.1 months). Low-risk patients had the highest average PFS (45.3 months) and average OS (58.3 months).

This study concluded that the MIPI score and rituximab treatment may better predict the prognosis of Asian patients with newly diagnosed MCL.

This study was retrospective, meaning it looked back in time to analyze data. The patient population in this study was small. Also, the patients in this study were Chinese, so these results may not apply to all patients. More studies are needed to confirm these results.