Risk-tailored CNS prophylaxis in a mono-institutional series of 200 patients with diffuse large B-cell lymphoma treated in the rituximab era.

The most effective strategy to prevent central nervous system (CNS) dissemination in diffuse large B-cell lymphoma (DLBCL) remains an important, unmet clinical need. Herein, we report a retrospective analysis of risk-tailored CNS prophylaxis in 200 human immunodeficiency virus-negative adults with DLBCL treated with rituximab-CHOP (cyclophosphamide, doxorubicin, vincristine, prednisone) or similar. High risk of CNS relapse was defined by involvement of specific extranodal organs, or simultaneous presence of advanced stage and high serum lactate dehydrogenase level; CNS prophylaxis with high-dose methotrexate ± intrathecal chemotherapy (IT) was routinely used in high-risk patients diagnosed after 2007.