A NEW real-world study has mapped the treatment landscape for mantle cell lymphoma (MCL) in Japan, highlighting common patient characteristics, therapeutic strategies, and ongoing gaps in efficacy and quality of life outcomes.
Researchers conducted a cross-sectional survey with retrospective patient data between March and December 2022. The study included 67 patients with MCL, most of whom were male (74.6%) and diagnosed with classical MCL (76.1%). The mean patient age was 69.4 years, with a median time since diagnosis of 18 months. The majority of patients initially presented with painless swelling in lymph node regions such as the neck, armpit, stomach, or groin (72%).
First-line chemotherapy produced complete responses in nearly half of patients (47.8%). In contrast, second-line therapy, frequently involving Bruton’s tyrosine kinase inhibitors (BTKi), yielded partial responses in just over half of treated patients (53.3%). Importantly, physicians reported that adverse events were less frequent with BTKi than with chemotherapy.
The most frequently reported treatment goals differed by modality. For BTKi-treated patients, physicians emphasized minimizing impact on daily life, while chemotherapy-focused care prioritized tumor response. Overall, anemia and fatigue were the most common side effects, and over half of patients undergoing chemotherapy reported treatment-related toxicities compared with about one-quarter of those receiving a BTKi.
The findings suggest that while physicians in Japan are effectively managing disease in most patients, significant needs remain for therapies that deliver stronger efficacy while reducing treatment burden. The study underscores the importance of balancing clinical outcomes with patient quality of life in MCL care.
Reference: Rai S et al. Disease management landscape in patients with mantle cell lymphoma in Japan: a real-world study. Future Oncol. 2025;7:1-12.
