Sixteenth biannual report of the Cochrane Haematological Malignancies Group: focus on Non-Hodgkin's lymphoma.

This sixteenth biannual report of the Cochrane Haematological Malignancies Group highlights recently published randomized controlled trials (RCTs) in the field of hemato-oncology, with special focus on non-Hodgkin's lymphoma. The report covers the publication period June 2012 to July 2013. Trials are selected regarding their methodology and implication for clinical practice.

High-dose chemotherapy followed by autologous stem cell transplantation for patients with relapsed or refractory Hodgkin lymphoma: a systematic review with meta-analysis.

Treatment for Hodgkin lymphoma is effective for about 85% of the patients. A gold-standard for the 15% of relapsing patients is still missing. High-dose chemotherapy (HDCT) followed by autologous stem cell transplantation (ASCT) has shown efficacy and safety for patients, but up to date no survival benefit revealed.

Effect of initial treatment strategy on survival of patients with advanced-stage Hodgkin's lymphoma: a systematic review and network meta-analysis.

Background: Several treatment strategies are available for adults with advanced-stage Hodgkin's lymphoma, but studies assessing two alternative standards of care-increased dose bleomycin, etoposide, doxorubicin, cyclophosphamide, vincristine, procarbazine, and prednisone (BEACOPPescalated), and doxorubicin, bleomycin, vinblastine, and dacarbazine (ABVD)-were not powered to test differences in overall survival. To guide treatment decisions in this population of patients, we did a systematic review and network meta-analysis to identify the best initial treatment strategy.

Methods: We searched the Cochrane Library, Medline, and conference proceedings for randomised controlled trials published between January, 1980, and June, 2013, that assessed overall survival in patients with advanced-stage Hodgkin's lymphoma given BEACOPPbaseline, BEACOPPescalated, BEACOPP variants, ABVD, cyclophosphamide (mechlorethamine), vincristine, procarbazine, and prednisone (C[M]OPP), hybrid or alternating chemotherapy regimens with ABVD as the backbone (eg, COPP/ABVD, MOPP/ABVD), or doxorubicin, vinblastine, mechlorethamine, vincristine, bleomycin, etoposide, and prednisone combined with radiation therapy (the Stanford V regimen).

Fifteenth biannual report of the Cochrane Haematological Malignancies Group--focus on non-Hodgkin's lymphoma.

This fifteenth biannual report of the Cochrane Haematological Malignancies Group (CHMG) highlights recently published randomized controlled trials (RCTs) in the field of hemato-oncology, covering the publication period from October 2011 to May 2012. Implications for clinical practice and methodological aspects are the main principles for selecting trials for this report. Studies were identified by electronic search of MEDLINE using a broad search filter that covers all topics in hemato-oncology combined with a highly sensitive search filter for randomized trials (Cochrane Handbook for Systematic Reviews of Interventions).

High-dose chemotherapy followed by autologous stem cell transplantation for patients with relapsed/refractory Hodgkin lymphoma.

Background: Hodgkin lymphoma (HL) is one of the most common malignancies in young adults and has become curable for the majority of patients, even in advanced stage. After first-line therapy, 15% to 20% do not respond to treatment and relapse. For those patients, high-dose chemotherapy (HDCT) followed by autologous stem cell transplantation (ASCT) is a frequently used therapy option.

Hodgkin's lymphoma in adults: diagnosis, treatment and follow-up.

Background: With an incidence of 2 to 3 cases per 100 000 persons per year, Hodkgin's lymphoma (HL) is rare, but nonetheless one of the most common cancers in young adults. Improved treatment has made HL curable even in advanced stages, but controversy still surrounds a number of issues in patient care. Current research focuses on the avoidance of long-term adverse effects and secondary malignancies.

Rituximab, ofatumumab and other monoclonal anti-CD20 antibodies for chronic lymphocytic leukaemia.

Background: Chronic lymphocytic leukaemia (CLL) accounts for 25% of all leukaemias and is the most common lymphoid malignancy in western countries. Standard treatments include mono- or polychemotherapies, usually combined with monoclonal antibodies such as rituximab or alemtuzumab. However, the impact of these agents remains unclear, as there are hints for increased risk of severe infections.