High Dose Therapy (HDT) in Burkitt’s Lymphoma

Advanced Burkitt’s Lymphoma is a highly curable disease in children and non immunodeficient adults with conventional intensive short term chemotherapy. A surgery is mandatory since 75% persisting masses are fibrous tissue and these patients share the good prognosis of those in complete remission: they are not candidates for High Dose Therapy (HDT). For those who still have active residual masses — whether or not completely removed — HDT is indicated. The patients with primary resistance should nor receive HDT unless included in phase II investigational programs. Resistant relapses may show responses after HDT but not cure: they remain an important group in which to consider phase I-II studies. Trials are under study to evaluate the benefit of immunotherapy for patients in primary refractory and resistant relapse patients. Trials are under study to evaluate new combination of alkylating agents and also the possible value of adjuvant immunotherapy after HDT.