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Mwangi, Raphael

https://orcid.org/0000-0002-9004-9099

Mayo Clinic

Mayo Clinic

Citations 72

122 | IDENTIFYING HARMFUL HYPERINFLAMMATION IN DIFFUSE LARGE B‐CELL LYMPHOMA USING THE OHI (OPTIMIZED HLH INFLAMMATORY) INDEX—DISCOVERY AND VALIDATION IN REAL‐WORLD PATIENTS
Zoref‐Lorenz, Adi , Cahn, Elliot, Cholack, George , Wang, Y., Gysbers, Brianna J. , Mwangi, Raphael , Nowakowski, Grzegorz S. , Ansell, Steven M., Novak, A. J., Jordan, Michael B. , Cholack, George A , Mou, Eric , Maurer, Matthew J. , Feldman, Andrew L. , Itchaki, Gilad , Habermann, Thomas M. , Link, Brian K. , Witzig, Thomas E. , Cerhan, James R.

Hematological Oncology | June 16, 2025 | Volume: 43 | Issue: S3 | Pages: No page available

10.1002/hon.70093_122 Get It

126 | THE EARLY‐STAGE CLASSIC HODGKIN LYMPHOMA INTERNATIONAL PROGNOSTICATION INDEX (E‐HIPI): AN INDIVIDUALIZED PREDICTION MODEL UTILIZING OBJECTIVE AND CONTINUOUS VARIABLES
Rodday, Angie May, Upshaw, Jenica , Counsell, Nicholas , Cui, Zhongguang, Xiang, Qiaojun , Mwangi, Raphael , Gallamini, Andrea , Hay, Alex E. , Raemaekers, John, Evens, Andrew M. , Rodday, Angie Mae , Maurer, Matthew J. , Rossetti, S., Chang, C., Xiang, Q., Advani, Ranjana H. , André, Marc , Hay, A. E., Hodgson, David , Hoppe, Richard T. , Hutchings, Martin , Johnson, Peter , Mou, Eric , Opat, Stephen , Savage, Kerry J. , Parsons, Susan K. , Radford, John

Hematological Oncology | June 16, 2025 | Volume: 43 | Issue: S3 | Pages: No page available

10.1002/hon.70093_126 Get It

307 | IMPACT OF CELL OF ORIGIN, GENE REARRANGEMENTS, FRONTLINE TREATMENT ON INCIDENCE OF CENTRAL NERVOUS SYSTEM LYMPHOMA RELAPSE IN NEWLY DIAGNOSED LARGE B‐CELL LYMPHOMA
Falade, A. S., Mwangi, Raphael , Hampel, Paul J. , Zanwar, Saurabh , Andrade‐Gonzalez, X., Thanarajasingam, Gita , Novak, Anne J. , Wang, Y., Thompson, Carrie A. , Micallef, Ivana N. , Ansell, Stephen M. , Abeykoon, Jithma P. , Mina, S. A., Paludo, Jonas , Mou, Eric , Durani, Urshila , Maurer, Matthew J. , Link, Brian K. , Cerhan, James R. , Habermann, Thomas M. , Villasboas, José C.

Hematological Oncology | June 16, 2025 | Volume: 43 | Issue: S3 | Pages: No page available

10.1002/hon.70094_307 Get It

224 | REGULAR ASPIRIN USE PRIOR TO DIAGNOSIS AND FOLLICULAR LYMPHOMA PROGNOSIS: NOVEL ASSOCIATION WITH SUPERIOR EVENT‐FREE SURVIVAL
Cholack, George , Mwangi, Raphael , Bisneto, J. V., Robinson, Don, Witzig, T. E., Ansell, Steven M., Novak, Anne J. , Thompson, Carrie A. , Nowakowski, G. S., Wang, Y., Cholack, George A , Bisneto, J. V., Habermann, Thomas M. , Feldman, Andrew L. , Mou, Eric , Slager, Susan L. , Maurer, Matthew J. , Wang, Yucai , Cerhan, James R.

Hematological Oncology | June 16, 2025 | Volume: 43 | Issue: S3 | Pages: No page available

10.1002/hon.70094_224 Get It

Clinical characteristics and treatment outcomes of hepatosplenic T-cell lymphoma: Mayo Clinic experience.
Mina, Syeda A. , Mwangi, Raphael , Hampel, Paul J. , Thanarajasingam, Gita , Thompson, Carrie A. , Nedved, Adrienne, Klebig, Robin, Nowakowski, Grzegorz S. , Ansell, Stephen M. , Bennani, Nabila Nora, Abeykoon, Jithma P., Falade, Ayo , Paludo, Jonas , Hilal, Talal , Durani, Urshila , Moustafa, Muhamad Alhaj , Cerhan, James R. , Habermann, Thomas M. , Witzig, Thomas E. , Abeykoon, Jithma P.

Journal of Clinical Oncology | May 28, 2025 | Volume: 43 | Issue: 16_suppl | Pages: 7075-7075

10.1200/jco.2025.43.16_suppl.7075 Get It

7075 Background: Hepatosplenic T-cell lymphoma (HSTCL) is a rare, aggressive peripheral T-cell lymphoma arising primarily from γδ T-cells. It carries a poor prognosis and resists conventional chemotherapy. Most reports on HSTCL are case-based. This study comprehensively analyzes a large cohort, evaluating treatment strategies and survival outcomes. Methods: This retrospective study included patients (pts) with pathologically confirmed HSTCL diagnosed between 2000-2024, consecutively seen at Mayo Clinic MN. Clinical, pathological, genomic, and treatment-related data were extracted when available. Descriptive statistics were used to summarize baseline characteristics. Time-to-event analyses, including Kaplan-Meier estimates, median overall survival (OS), and survival time estimates were conducted from the date of diagnosis. Results: A total of 20 patients with newly diagnosed HSTCL were included, with a median age of 57 years (range: 35-71). The cohort was predominantly male (70%) and non-Hispanic (93%). Molecular data was available for five patients, revealing abnormalities in STAT5B, MLL3 deletion, TP53, EZH2, TERT, and NF1 E291D . The median follow-up was 27.6 months (m) with a median OS of 17.6 m (95% CI: 11.2 - NA). First-line treatment was anthracycline-based in 68% of pts and non-anthracycline-based in 32%, with higher response rates in the latter group (50% vs.83%). Although non-anthracycline regimens showed a trend toward improved 3-year OS (100% vs. 29%) the difference was not statistically significant (p = 0.16). Achieving a complete response to first-line therapy was also associated with a trend towards a better 3-year OS compared to refractory disease (80% vs. 50%, p = 0.17). Most pts (79%) underwent hematopoietic stem cell transplant (HSCT), primarily allogeneic, with only one receiving autologous HSCT. First-line therapy before HSCT was evenly distributed between anthracycline (55%) and non-anthracycline (45%) regimens. HSCT recipients had significantly higher 3-year OS than non-recipients (83% vs. 33%, p = 0.017). Notably, the patient with a TP53 mutation has remained in remission for over a year post-allogeneic HSCT. Conclusions: HSTCL predominantly affects younger pts, with nearly half dying within a year. Allogeneic HSCT, rarely used in other NHL subtypes, improved survival. Non-anthracycline regimens and achieving CR trended toward better outcomes. Our study, leveraging a sizable cohort, highlights the need for targeted research and novel therapies to improve HSTCL management. Summary of survival outcomes in HSTCL. Characteristics Median OS (y) 3-Year OS (95% CI) 1.48 [0.93- NA] 46% [0.26 - 0.81] Transplant Transplant NA [NA - NA] 83% [0.58 - 1.00] No Transplant 1.02 [0.93 - NA] 33% [0.07 - 1.00] Treatment Anthracycline Based 1.02 [0.36 - NA] 29% [0.11 - 0.73] Non-Anthracycline Based 4.61 [NA- NA] 100% [1.00 - 1.00]
The optimized HLH inflammatory index: A novel prognostic tool for newly diagnosed patients with diffuse large B-cell lymphoma—Discovery and validation.
Lorenz, Adi Zoref, Cahn, Elliot, Feldman, Andew L., Negaard, Brianna J, Mwangi, Raphael , Nowakowski, Grzegorz S. , Ansell, Stephen M. , Novak, Anne J. , Witzig, T. E., Jordan, Michael B. , Mou, Eric , Wang, Yucai , Maurer, Matthew J. , Gysbers, Brianna J. , Itchaki, Gilad , Habermann, Thomas M. , Link, Brian K. , Goyal, Gaurav , Cerhan, James R.

Journal of Clinical Oncology | May 28, 2025 | Volume: 43 | Issue: 16_suppl | Pages: 7073-7073

10.1200/jco.2025.43.16_suppl.7073 Get It

7073 Background: The Optimized HLH Inflammatory (OHI) index (Zoref-Lorenz et al., Blood , 2022), based on serum soluble CD25 (sCD25) and ferritin, is a prognostic tool identifying inflammation in the hemophagocytic lymphohistiocytosis (HLH) spectrum and early mortality risk. Prior studies were retrospective and enriched with HLH-suspected cases. We hypothesized that the OHI index would predict outcomes in unselected diffuse large B-cell lymphoma (DLBCL). Methods: 670 newly diagnosed DLBCL patients from a prospective cohort (2002–2015) were analyzed: 335 for discovery and 335 for validation. Pre-treatment serum sCD25 and ferritin levels were quantified via ELISA, and we evaluated original thresholds (sCD25 ≥ 3,900 U/mL; ferritin ≥ 1,000 ng/mL) and developed DLBCL-optimized thresholds (using receiver operator curves) for predicting 500-day mortality. We also evaluated event-free survival (EFS), EFS at 24 months (EFS24), and overall survival (OS). Results: The median age was 64, and 51% were male. Using original thresholds, 4.2% (n=14) of patients were OHI+, with a 5.6-fold higher risk of 500-day mortality (95% CI 1.6–17; p<0.001). Optimized thresholds identified 23.6% (n=78) as OHI+ with a 9.2-fold higher 500-day mortality risk (95% CI 4.0–24; p<0.001). Optimized OHI+ also had a higher risk of EFS24 failure and inferior EFS and OS (Table). OHI+ patients had higher rates of B symptoms (35% vs. 20%; p=0.027), elevated LDH (76% vs. 34%; p<0.001), worse performance status (ECOG ≥2: 38% vs. 12%; p<0.001), and advanced-stage disease (Stage IV: 57% vs 38%; p<0.001), though IPI scores (3–5) were not significantly different (44% vs 36%; p=0.28). Adjusting for age and IPI, OHI+ independently predicted 500-day mortality (OR=5.0; CI 1.9–13; p=0.001), EFS24 failure (OR=3.2; CI 1.5–6.5; p=0.0018), and inferior long-term EFS (HR=2.2; CI 1.1–4.3; p=0.030) and OS (HR=2.0; CI 1.0–4.0; p=0.040) at a median follow up of 9.8 years in living patients. In validation, optimized OHI predicted 500-day mortality, EFS24 failure, and long-term OS and EFS (Table). Cytokine profiling revealed elevated inflammatory markers in OHI+ patients, including IL1a (p=0.008), CCL2 (p=0.03), CXCL10 (p<0.001), and CXCL9 (p<0.001), reflecting systemic hyperinflammation. Conclusions: The OHI index is a powerful predictor of early and long-term outcomes in DLBCL patients. Optimized thresholds identify a larger OHI+ group, highlighting hyperinflammation’s critical role in poor outcomes. These findings support its use in routine management and clinical trial design for novel therapies. Odds ratios or hazard ratios and p-values for optimized OHI+ and DLBCL prognosis. Outcome Discovery Validation OR for 500-day mortality 9.2; p<0.001 4.0; p=0.002 OR for EFS24 failure 5.2; p <0.001 6.3; p<0.001 HR for OS 2.3; p<0.001 1.8; p=0.006 HR for EFS 2.4; p<0.001 2.5; p<0.001
Impact of cell of origin, gene rearrangements, and frontline treatment on incidence of secondary central nervous system lymphoma in newly diagnosed diffuse large B-cell lymphoma.
Mwangi, Raphael , Hampel, Paul J. , Mina, Syeda A. , Zanwar, Saurabh , Andrade-Gonzalez, Xavier , Thanarajasingam, Gita , Novak, Anne J. , Thompson, Carrie A. , Micallef, Ivana N. , Ansell, Stephen M. , Abeykoon, Jithma P., Falade, Ayo , Paludo, Jonas , Mou, Eric , Wang, Yucai , Maurer, Matthew J. , Link, Brian K. , Cerhan, James R. , Habermann, Thomas M. , Villasboas, José C. , Abeykoon, Jithma P.

Journal of Clinical Oncology | May 28, 2025 | Volume: 43 | Issue: 16_suppl | Pages: 7052-7052

10.1200/jco.2025.43.16_suppl.7052 Get It

7052 Background: Secondary central nervous system lymphoma (SCNSL) is a rare but serious complication that occurs in 2-10% of patients (pts) with diffuse large B-cell lymphoma (DLBCL). The CNS-International Prognostic Index (CNS-IPI) is a validated tool used to assess the risk of CNS relapse. However, with advancements in molecular profiling and treatments, the predictors of SCNSL, including the predictive ability of CNS-IPI combined with other molecular markers and treatment regimens, have become uncertain. This study evaluates new prognostic markers for CNS relapse in DLBCL, focusing on cell-of-origin (COO), gene rearrangements, and treatment types. Methods: DLBCL pts enrolled from 2002-2015 in the Mayo Clinic and University of Iowa Lymphoma Molecular Epidemiology Resource were prospectively followed for incidence of CNS relapse. Pts with primary CNS lymphoma or CNS involvement at diagnosis, and pts treated with high-dose methotrexate containing regimens were excluded. COO classification (GCB vs non-GCB) was determined using Hans algorithm and/or NanoString data. Multivariate Cox regression models estimated hazard ratios (HRs) and 95% confidence intervals (CIs) for predictors of SCNSL. Survival analysis was performed from time of DLBCL diagnosis using Cox proportional hazards model. Results: Among 1278 newly diagnosed DLBCL pts included (median age: 63 years; 43.6% female), SCNSL occurred in 46 (3.6%) pts. Pts with SCNSL were more likely to have intermediate/high CNS-IPI scores (80.4%) than pts without SCNSL (63.9%, p=0.02). The 3 yr SCNSL incidence was 0.016 (0.008-0.0033) in low CNS-IPI vs 0.043 (0.031-0.0060) in high CNS-IPI. Those with SCNSL were significantly more likely at baseline to have non-GCB COO (56.3% vs. 36.5%, p=0.02), and advanced stage (76.1% vs. 59.9%, p=0.03) compared to those without SCNSL. The incidence of SCNSL was not influenced by MYC, BCL2, or BCL6 rearrangements, nor by treatment with R-CHOP, R-EPOCH, or other immunochemotherapy regimens. MVA showed that intermediate CNS-IPI (HR 2.32, 95% CI 1.09-4.92, p=0.029), high CNS-IPI (HR 3.59, 95% CI 1.49-8.62, p=0.004), and non-GCB COO (HR 2.19, 95% CI 1.08-4.42, p=0.0029) were independently associated with increased SCNSL risk. After a median follow-up of 12 years (IQR 9–15), overall survival (OS) was 52.1% for the cohort, with OS significantly worse for SCNSL pts (17.4% vs. 53.4%, p<0.001). Conclusions: This large cohort with extensive follow-up highlights the role of COO as an additional prognostic factor for SCNSL while reinforcing CNS-IPI’s prognostic value. Non-GCB COO pts had a higher risk of SCNSL even when adjusted by CNS-IPI risk. Despite advancements in management, SCNSL pts continue to have poor outcomes. Strategies to reduce the incidence of CNS relapse in high-risk pts require further investigation. MER CNS relapse hazard ratios (95% CI). Characteristics Hazard Ratio 95% CI P-Value CNS-IPI Group 0-1 Low Ref Ref Ref 2-3 Intermediate 2.32 1.09 - 4.92 0.029 4+ High 3.59 1.49 - 8.62 0.004 Cell of Origin* GCB Ref Ref Ref non-GCB 2.19 1.08 - 4.42 0.029 Double Hit* non-DHL Ref Ref Ref DHL 1.08 0.14 - 8.3 0.941 Not Done/Missing 1.38 0.76 - 2.51 0.297 Double Expressor* Negative Ref Ref Ref Positive 2.36 0.71 - 7.85 0.162 Not Done/Missing 1.91 0.89 - 4.08 0.097 IC Group* R-CHOP R-EPOCH Ref 1.63 Ref 0.71 - 3.74 Ref 0.249 Other IC 1.18 0.57 - 2.46 0.660 Any EN Involvement* No Ref Ref Ref Yes 0.98 0.51 - 1.88 0.946 Albumin Group* >=Normal Ref Ref Ref <Normal 1.70 0.75 - 3.85 0.201 Head & Neck Involvement* No Ref Ref Ref Yes 0.35 0.048 - 2.63 0.310 *Adjusted by CNS-IPI risk group.
Abstract 7344: Family history of hematologic malignancy and prognosis across lymphoma subtypes: Novel association with poor outcomes in follicular lymphoma
Cholack, George , Mwangi, Raphael , Hinder, Verena, Griffen, Rosalie, Robinson, Dennis P. , Feldman, Andrew L., Ansell, Stephen M. , Thompson, Carrie A. , Novak, Anne J. , Cholack, George A , Habermann, Thomas M. , Hinder, Verena, Feldman, Andrew L. , Witzig, Thomas E. , Link, Brian K. , Wang, Yucai , Slager, Susan L. , Maurer, Matthew J. , Cerhan, James R.

Cancer Research | April 21, 2025 | Volume: 85 | Issue: 8_Supplement_1 | Pages: 7344-7344

10.1158/1538-7445.am2025-7344 Get It

Abstract Family history of hematologic malignancy (FHHM) is an established risk factor for developing lymphoma, but studies examining associations between self-reported FHHM and lymphoma prognosis during the recent treatment era are limited. Utilizing a prospective cohort study, we evaluated associations between FHHM and prognosis for common lymphoma subtypes, including diffuse large B-cell (DLBCL), follicular (FL), marginal zone (MZL), mantle cell (MCL), Hodgkin (HL), and T-cell (TCL) lymphomas. We used the Mayo Clinic component of the Molecular Epidemiology Resource, a prospective cohort study of newly diagnosed lymphoma patients enrolled from 2002 to 2015. Self-reported FHHM (HL, NHL, leukemia, or multiple myeloma) in a first-degree relative was obtained via questionnaire. Primary outcomes were overall survival (OS) and event-free survival (EFS; time from diagnosis to disease progression, initiation of second-line therapy, or all-cause death). Secondary outcomes were failure to achieve 24 months of event-free survival (EFS24; associated with aggressive disease and poor outcomes) and lymphoma-specific survival (LSS; time from diagnosis to death from lymphoma or lymphoma treatment-related complications). We used multivariable Cox proportional hazards regression to estimate hazard ratios (HRs) and 95% confidence intervals (CI) for the association of FHHM with OS, EFS, and LSS, and logistic regression to estimate odds ratios (ORs) and 95% CI for the association with failure to achieve EFS24. All models were adjusted for sex and a lymphoma subtype specific prognostic index. The cohort consisted of 650 DLBCL, 679 FL, 291 MZL, 178 MCL, 254 HL, and 196 TCL patients. The prevalence of FHHM ranged from 9.7% in TCL to 14% in FL. FHHM was not associated with OS in any subtype, but MCL patients with FHHM showed an inferior EFS (HR=1.70, 95% CI 1.02-2.85; p=0.04). For EFS24, FHHM was associated with failure to achieve EFS24 only in FL (OR=1.57, 95% CI 0.99-2.48; p=0.05). Similarly, FHHM was associated with inferior LSS in FL patients (HR=1.98, 95% CI 1.11-3.53; p=0.02). In a treatment subgroup analysis of FL patients, the FHHM associations with failure to achieve EFS24 (OR=2.48, 95% CI 1.04-5.74; p=0.04) and inferior LSS (HR=2.68, 95% CI 1.09-6.58; p=0.03) strengthened among those treated with frontline immunochemotherapy (IC). In summary, there were no evidence of associations between FHHM and OS across lymphoma subtypes, but MCL patients with FHHM displayed inferior EFS. FL patients with FHHM were more likely to not achieve EFS24 and to ultimately die of their lymphoma or a lymphoma treatment-related complication. This finding was stronger in more aggressive FL requiring frontline IC. This novel finding would suggest that genetic or environmental factors associated with FHHM may underlie pathways that impact disease aggressiveness and early clinical failure in FL. Citation Format: George Cholack, Raphael Mwangi, Thomas M. Habermann, Verena Hinder, Rosalie Griffen, Dennis Robinson, Andrew L. Feldman, Thomas E. Witzig, Stephen M. Ansell, Brian K. Link, Yucai Wang, Carrie A. Thompson, Susan L. Slager, Matthew Maurer, Anne J. Novak, James R. Cerhan. Family history of hematologic malignancy and prognosis across lymphoma subtypes: Novel association with poor outcomes in follicular lymphoma [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the American Association for Cancer Research Annual Meeting 2025; Part 1 (Regular Abstracts); 2025 Apr 25-30; Chicago, IL. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Res 2025;85(8_Suppl_1):Abstract nr 7344.
Comparison of outcomes in postinduction strategies for primary central nervous system lymphoma: a Mayo Clinic experience
Hwang, Steven R. , Gysbers, Brianna J. , Mwangi, Raphael , Nedved, Adrienne, Barreto, Jason N. , Micallef, Ivana N. , Ansell, Stephen M. , Porrata, Luis F. , Thanarajasingam, Gita , Johnston, Patrick B., Khurana, Arushi , Gysbers, Brianna J , Nedved, Adrienne N, Barreto, Jason N , Micallef, Ivana N , Ansell, Stephen M , Porrata, Luis, Durani, Urshila , Thanarajasingam, Gita , Habermann, Thomas , Maurer, Matthew , Khurana, Arushi , Hwang, Steven R , Godby, Richard , Durani, Urshila , Habermann, Thomas M. , Maurer, Matthew J. , Johnston, Patrick B.

Blood Advances | February 18, 2025 | Volume: 9 | Issue: 4 | Pages: 924-932

10.1182/bloodadvances.2024014073 Get It

Abstract Primary central nervous system lymphoma (PCNSL) is a rare form of non-Hodgkin lymphoma involving the brain, cerebrospinal fluid, or retina/vitreous without systemic involvement. Induction with high-dose methotrexate (HD-MTX) followed by consolidation with autologous stem cell transplant (auto-SCT) has become the standard treatment paradigm for most patients. However, limited data are available regarding the efficacy of a maintenance approach with HD-MTX. Herein, we retrospectively reviewed the characteristics and outcomes of 148 patients diagnosed with PCNSL between October 2010 and June 2022, who underwent HD-MTX–based induction therapy followed by either auto-SCT consolidation (n = 70) or HD-MTX maintenance therapy (n = 37). At a median follow-up time of 4.5 years, the progression-free survival (PFS) was 8.3 years and the overall survival (OS) was not reached. Compared to patients who underwent auto-SCT, patients who received maintenance HD-MTX had a higher median age at diagnosis of 72 vs 62 years and a trend toward higher proportion of patients being Eastern Cooperative Oncology Group 2 or higher (41% vs 29%). At 5-years postinduction treatment initiation, the PFS rates in the auto-SCT cohort and HD-MTX maintenance cohort were 74.6% and 72.6%, respectively, and the OS rates were 76.0% and 82.4%, respectively. Overall, there was no significant difference in PFS or OS based on postinduction management strategy. Our data suggest that maintenance HD-MTX may be a reasonable, time-limited treatment strategy for patients with PCNSL responding to initial induction therapy.