Refractory Burkitt Lymphoma: Diagnosis and Interventional Strategies

Abstract

Francesco Malfona, Anna Maria Testi, Sabina Chiaretti, Maria Luisa Moleti Department of Translational and Precision Medicine, ‘Sapienza’ University, Rome, ItalyCorrespondence: Maria Luisa Moleti, Hematology Institute, Via Benevento 6, Rome, 00161, Italy, Tel [phone], Fax [phone], Email [email protected]: Despite excellent results in frontline therapy, particularly in pediatric age, refractory Burkitt lymphoma still remains a therapeutic challenge, with dismal outcome. The prognosis is very poor, ranging from less than 10% to 30– 40%, with longer survival only in transplanted patients. On account of the paucity of data, mostly reporting on small series of patients, with heterogeneous characteristics and salvage treatments, at present it is impossible to draw definitive conclusions on the treatment of choice for this difficult to treat subset of patients. New insights into Burkitt lymphoma/leukemia cell biology have led to the development of new drugs, currently being tested, directed at different specific targets. Herein, we describe the results so far reported in refractory Burkitt lymphoma/leukemia, with standard treatments and hematopoietic stem cell transplant, and we review the new targeted drugs currently under evaluation.Keywords: Burkitt lymphoma, target therapy, relapse, refractory, outcome

Keywords

• burkitt lymhoma – target therapy – relapse – refractory – outcome