Small lymphocytic lymphoma: Analysis of two cohorts including patients in clinical trials of the German Chronic Lymphocytic Leukemia Study Group (GCLLSG) or in “real-life” outside of clinical trials

Abstract

Background: Only few studies have focused exclusively on patients with small lymphocytic lymphoma (SLL). Patients and Methods: In the present report, 103 SLL patients were analyzed from both, clinical trials of the German Chronic Lymphocytic Leukemia Study Group and Greek centers, and emphasis was placed on the therapeutic strategy. The impact of lymph node characteristics, such as the presence of proliferation centers (PCs) on response and survival was also assessed. Results: SLL patients included in clinical trials were treated mostly with fludarabine-based regimens while those in “real-life” were staged and treated mostly as patients with low-grade lymphomas. Our analysis showed a trend for better survival for patients with SLL without detectable PCs. Conclusion: Patients with SLL outside of clinical trials are usually treated as cases of lymphoma. In addition, this analysis supports published data regarding the adverse prognostic value of the presence of PCs in lymphoid nodes in SLL.