Lymphoma and Chronic Lymphocytic Leukemias

Despite substantial improvements in the management and treatment of mantle cell lymphoma (MCL), the disease is still considered incurable. While high-dose cytarabine followed by autologous stem cell transplantation (ASCT) is considered as the gold standard in younger patients, the Rituximab, Cyclophosphomide, Doxorubicin, Oncovin, Prednisone (R-CHOP) regimen followed by rituximab maintenance is the recommended treatment for the elderly. Our better understanding of the pathogenesis of the disease through the identification of different altered signaling pathways has contributed to the development of new-targeted therapies offering a new era in the management of MCL. Early results achieved with these therapies are promising. However, new questions are arising regarding how and when to use these agents. This paper reviews these different approaches in patients with MCL.