Defining and Addressing the Current Unmet Medical Needs for the Frontline Treatment of Advanced Stage Aggressive Large B-Cell Lymphoma: A Perspective From an Ad Hoc Panel of Italian Experts

Aggressive large B-cell lymphomas (LBCL) include a range of disease types characterized by heterogenous histopathologic, molecular, and genetic features. In this review, we summarize the main standardized disease assessments, treatments and patient journey and we discuss some of the questions that we will face in interpreting and applying their results in clinical practice in the next few years. Specific methodologies borrowed from FDA clinical trials indications to settle the more important goals (both for fit and unfit patients) - key aspects to be considered in clinical management—were used. The Expert Panel was conceived to reach a consensus on defining unsettled and controversial issues while envisioning possible solutions for current challenges in treating newly diagnosed patients with advanced-stage LBCL not only in the Italian context but also for other Countries sharing similar health care system. The fast-evolving treatment scenario for LBCL holds promise of improving outcomes in these high-risk setting, and we eagerly await new treatment regimens to further optimize patient outcomes.