OBJECTIVES : The aim of the current study is to characterize follicular lymphoma (FL) patients from 5 European countries (France, Germany, Italy, Spain, and the UK) across the disease continuum.

METHODS : Real world data were drawn from the FL Disease-specific Programme^TM - a point in time survey administered to haematologists and haemato-oncologists who completed patient record forms for the next 8 FL patients with whom they consulted in Q2 2017 across France, Germany, Italy, Spain, and the UK. Study variables included patient demographics, background clinical information and treatment patterns.

RESULTS : A total of 195 physicians reported on 1,534 patients with FL. Of these patients, 26% were receiving first-line treatment(1L); the remaining 74% were receiving second-line treatment or later (relapsed). Characteristics of 1L and relapsed FL patients were: median age of 64 vs. 68 years, grade of 1-2 53% vs. 39%, ECOG performance status of 0-1 93% vs. 73% and FLIPI high risk group 44% vs. 59% respectively.

The most common induction regimens received at 1L were R-CHOP (47%), R-Bendamustine (31%) and R-CVP (8%), whilst relapsed patients received R-Bendamustine (36%), Rituximab monotherapy (17%) and R-CHOP (14%). 22% vs. 16% of 1L and relapsed patients were receiving maintenance at time of survey.

Reasons for choosing R-CHOP and R-Bendamustine included standard of care (69% vs. 59%) and producing good results in patients (61% vs. 63%). Despite this, 41% of 1L patients that progressed to 2L in the survey relapsed within 2 years; this increased to 55% within 2 years after 2L, and 78% within 2 years after 3L.

CONCLUSIONS : Results from this analysis provide valuable insights into FL patients in European countries, highlighting the growing unmet need for relapsed patients. These findings could help HTA assessments for new FL treatments in Europe.