Multicenter Randomized Phase II Study of Methotrexate (MTX) and Temozolomide Versus MTX, Procarbazine, Vincristine and Cytarabine for Primary CNS Lymphoma (PCNSL) in the Elderly

Inclusion Criteria:

- primary central nervous system lymphoma histologically confirmed by brain biopsy, CSF
cytology or vitrectomy

- KPS 40 or higher

- Absence of systemic disease as evaluated by chest-abdomen-pelvis CT scan

- Leucocytes>3.500/mm3, platelets>130.000/mm3, Bilirubin < 2 mg, transaminases < 2.5
N), creatinine < 150 μM/l, creatinine clearance > 40 ml/min

- Age ≥ 60 years

- Negative HIV test

- Signature of informed consent

Exclusion Criteria:

- previous cranial radiotherapy

- prior chemotherapy for primary central nervous system lymphoma

- presence of another cancer (excepting basal cell carcinoma of the skin and cervical
carcinoma in situ )

- systemic lymphoma (outside the CNS)

- Isolated ocular lymphoma

- Immunosuppressed patients (HIV , use of immunosuppressors)

- Other uncontrolled or progressive disease compromising shot-term survival

- Severe renal or hepatic disease

- Patients not legally covered by the French Social Security

- Inability to swallow the medication