Treatment of early-stage mycosis fungoides: results from the PROspective Cutaneous Lymphoma International Study (PROCLIPI study)

Abstract

BACKGROUND: The PROspective Cutaneous Lymphoma International Prognostic Index (PROCLIPI) Study is a prospective analysis of an international database and here we examine front-line treatments and quality-of-life in patients with newly diagnosed Mycosis Fungoides (MF). OBJECTIVES: a) differences in first-line approach according to the TNMB staging; b) parameters related to a first-line systemic approach; c) response rates and quality of life (QoL) measures. PATIENTS AND METHODS: 395 newly diagnosed patients with early-stage MF (IA-IIA) were recruited from 41 centers in 17 countries between 1/1/2015-31/12/2018 following central clinicopathological review. RESULTS: First-line therapy was skin directed therapy (SDT) (81.6%) whilst a smaller percentage (44 cases;11.1%) received systemic therapy. Expectant observation was 7.3%. In univariate analysis, the use of systemic therapy was significantly associated with higher clinical stage (IA: 6%; IB: 14%; IIA:20%; IA-IB vs IIA: p<0.0001), presence of plaques (T1a+T2a: 5%; T1b+T2b: 17%; p<0.001), higher mSWAT (10: 15%; <=10: 7%; p=0.01) and folliculotropic MF (FMF) (24% vs 12%; p=0.001). Multivariate analysis demonstrated significant associations with the presence of plaques (T1b/T2b vs T1a/T2a: OR: 3.07) and FMF (OR: 2.82). The overall response rate (ORR) to first-line SDT was 73% whilst the ORR to first-line systemic treatments was lower (57%) (p=0.027). Health related QoL improved significantly in both patients with responsive and stable disease. CONCLUSIONS: Disease characteristics such as presence of plaques and FMF influence physician treatment choices and that SDT was superior to systemic therapy even in patients with such disease characteristics. Consequently