Therapeutic efficacy of L-asparaginase in the treatment of refractory midfacial peripheral T-cell non-hodgkin’s lymphoma

Objective: To improve the efficacy of refractory midfacial peripheral T-cell non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma (MPTC-NHL) with L-asparaginase (L-ASP) based salvage chemotherapy. Methods: 21 patients with refractory MPTC-NHL were analyzed, 11patients (L-ASP group) received L-asparaginase based salvage chemotherapy consisting of L-asparaginase, vincristine and dexame-thosone. 10 patients (control group) received salvage combination chemotherapy without L-asparaginase. Results: Complete remission rates were 45.6% for L-ASP group and 0.0% for control group (P<0.05). Overall response rates (CR+PR) were 63.6% for L-ASP group and 10.0% for control group, respectively (P<0.05). 2-year survival rates were 45.5% for L-ASP group and 0.0% for control group (P<0.05). The major adverse effects of L-ASP were leukopenia, elevation of serum bilirubin and hyperglycemia. Conclusion: The preliminary clinical study shows that the L-ASP based salvage chemotherapy may improve the response rate and 2-year survival rate of the patients with refractory MPTC-NHL. It is necessary to continue the study further.