Frontline Bendamustine And Rituximab In Extra-Nodal Marginal Zone Lymphoma: A Single-Institution Experience

Context/Objective Marginal zone lymphoma (MZL) is an indolent non-Hodgkin lymphoma (NHL) accounting for 8–12% of NHL. Extra-nodal MZL (EMZL) is the most common subgroup, comprising ~70% of cases. Bendamustine and rituximab (BR) are commonly used as frontline therapy based on trials involving other indolent NHL, mainly follicular NHL. No trials have prospectively assessed frontline BR specifically in EMZL. We retrospectively report outcomes among EMZL patients receiving frontline BR. Design All patients with EMZL receiving frontline BR between 2011–2021 were identified in tumor registry. Treatment responses were assessed per 2007 Cheson criteria. Statistical analysis was performed using SPSS. Results Twenty-five patients met inclusion criteria. Median age was 69 years (40–81). Patients were White (80.0%), Asian (4.0%), or Other (16.0%). Five patients (20.0%) were stage I/II, and 19 (76.0%) were stage III/IV. MALT-IPI was low, intermediate, and high risk in 2 (10.5%), 9 (37.5%), and 8 (42.1%) patients, respectively. ECOG was Conclusion BR is safe/effective as frontline therapy for patients with EMZL. Responses were similar to previous reports of frontline BR in other indolent lymphomas.