Of course, this study had some limitations, such as the small number of cases, and some of the patients did not undergo ASCT because of personal choices rather than absolute illness. There are 33 patients younger than 65 years old who did not accept ASCT: 15 patients or their family refuse the high dose chemotherapy; 9 patients could not afford the expenses of ASCT; 4 patients had complications like hepatocirrhosis, Tuberculosis infection, abdominal aneurysm and anxiety disorder; 4 patients were not sensitive to previous chemotherapy; and 1 patients failed on mobilization. These limitations need to be improved in further clinical research.
In conclusion, this study indicated that chidamide maintenance therapy led to potential improvements of PFS and OS with manageable safety profile in patients with PTCL. The strategy of first remission combined with chidamide consolidation chemotherapy and then maintenance treatment is worthy of promotion. Further randomized studies are required to examine the role of chidamide maintenance therapy in PTCL.