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Publications

Journal Article Ahead of print

PubMed: 42314548 DOI: 10.1016/j.leukres.2026.108265

Real-world outcomes of plasmablastic lymphoma: Treatment approaches and survival outcomes in the PLASMABLAT-001 cohort.

Leuk Res 167:108265

Authors: Humberto Martinez-Cordero, Paola Spirko, Irma Karen Pellon, Laura Korin, Perla R Colunga-Pedraza, Estefanie Osorio-Llanes, Cynthia Fuentes-Lacouture, Henry Idrobo, Andrea Noboa, Luis Villela, Arianna Robles, Alana Von-Glasenapp, Perla Noemi Britos, Yusaima Rodriguez-Fraga, Bryan Valcarcel, Luis Malpica, Jorge J Castillo

Affiliations

  • Instituto Nacional de Cancerología, Bogotá, Colombia; Universidad Militar Nueva Granada, Hospital Militar Central, Bogotá, Colombia.
  • Instituto Nacional de Cancerología, Bogotá, Colombia.
  • Hospital General de Mexico, Dr. Eduardo Liceaga, Mexico City, Mexico.
  • Instituto Alexander Fleming, Buenos Aires, Argentina.
  • Universidad Autónoma de Nuevo León, Hospital Universitario "Dr. José Eleuterio González" Servicio de Hematología, Mexico.
  • Clínica Central del Eje. Universidad Tecnológica de Pereira. Suramericana de Salud. Oncólogo de Occidente y Centro de Investigación Julián Coronel, Colombia.
  • Instituto Oncológico Nacional Dr. Juan Tanca Marengo, Guayaquil, Ecuador.
  • Universidad Autónoma de Sinaloa, Facultad de Medicina, Sinaloa. Hospital Fernando Ocaranza ISSSTE, Centro Médico Dr. Ignacio ISSSTESON, Hermosillo, Sonora, Mexico.
  • Hospital General de Occidente, Guadalajara, Jalisco, Mexico.
  • Hospital Central Instituto de Previsión Social, Asunción, Paraguay.
  • Hospital de Clínicas, Asunción, Paraguay.
  • Hospital Clínico Quirúrgico Hermanos Ameijeiras, Havana, Cuba.
  • Department of Lymphoma and Myeloma, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX, USA.
  • Hematologic Oncology Treatment Center, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA.

Abstract

BACKGROUND

Plasmablastic lymphoma (PBL) is a rare and aggressive malignancy frequently associated with human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) infection and lacking standardized treatment strategies. We developed the PLASMABLAT-001 retrospective cohort to describe treatment patterns and outcomes in PBL.

METHODS

We retrospectively analyzed 86 patients diagnosed between 2008 and 2023 across six Latin American centers. Overall survival (OS) and progression-free survival (PFS) were estimated using the Kaplan-Meier method, and Cox regression models identified prognostic factors.

RESULTS

The cohort was predominantly male (87%), with a median age of 41 years; 72% were HIV-positive. Advanced-stage disease and extranodal involvement (89%) were common. EPOCH-based regimens were used in 75% of patients. Complete response rates were 51% in first-line and 30% in second-line therapy. After a median follow-up of 26.1 months (95% CI, 17.9-42.5), the 2-year OS was 60% (95% CI, 48-72%), while median OS was not reached. Median PFS was 9 months (95% CI, 6-12). HIV-negative patients had improved OS and PFS. In multivariable analysis, HIV negativity, ECOG performance status 0-2, and absence of MYC rearrangements were associated with improved OS.

CONCLUSION

PBL remains a highly aggressive disease with suboptimal outcomes in Latin America. HIV status, ECOG performance status, and MYC rearrangements are important prognostic factors. Prospective studies are needed to optimize treatment strategies.

MeSH

Lymphoma, Leukemia, Plasmablastic Lymphoma, Hiv, Therapeutics, Prognosis