This study developed a new prognostic index called MIPI for patients with advanced-stage mantle cell lymphoma based on data from 455 patients treated in 3 clinical trials. The MIPI stratified patients into low-, intermediate-, and high-risk groups based on 4 independent prognostic factors: age, performance status, lactate dehydrogenase level, and leukocyte count. Validation showed the MIPI provided better risk stratification than existing indices and may help guide treatment decisions. Proliferation marker Ki-67 also showed strong additional prognostic relevance when included in the index.