A subset of ulcerative colitis with positive proteinase-3 antineutrophil cytoplasmic antibody

A small subset of patients with active ulcerative colitis is non-responsive to major known non-biological therapies. We reported 5 patients with positive serum proteinase-3 antineutrophil cytoplasmic antibody （PR3-ANCA） and tried to （1） identify the common clinical features of these patients; （2） investigate the efficacy of a novel therapy using a Chinese medicine compound; and （3） attract more gastroenterologists to be engaged in further study of this subset of patients. The common manifestations of disease in these 5 patients included recurrent bloody diarrhea and inflammatory lesions involving the entire colorectal mucosa. Initial treatment with intravenous methylprednisolone successfully induced remission. Four of these 5 patients were steroid-dependence, and immunosuppressants, such as azathioprine and cyclophosphamide, were ineffective. In 3 patients, only the particular Chinese medicine compound could induce and maintain remission. One patient underwent colectomy. No vascular inflammatory lesions were found by histopathological examination. Although more cases are needed for confirmation, our study indicates that ulcerative colitis with positive PR3-ANCA may belong to a subtype of refractory ulcerative colitis. The particular Chinese medicine compound used in our study is by far the most effective in the management of these patients, with additional advantages of having no noticeable sideeffects and less financial burden.     

Resolution of anti-neutrophil cytoplasmic antibody-associated vasculitis after resection of gastric cancer

Abstract

We report a case of anti-neutrophil cytoplasmic antibody (ANCA)-associated vasculitis in a 62-year-old patient with gastric cancer. The myeloperoxidase–anti-neutrophil cytoplasmic antibody (MPO–ANCA) level was threefold above normal preoperatively. Vasculitis was seen on renal biopsy. Gastric resection revealed well-differentiated adenocarcinoma and vasculitis. The MPO–ANCA level returned to normal post-operatively. Although ANCA-associated vasculitis occasionally accompanies malignant tumors, this is the first documented case of concurrent gastric cancer-associated and ANCA-associated vasculitis, with post-operative resolution of the vasculitis.     

Rapidly progressive diffuse large B-cell lymphoma with initial clinical presentation mimicking seronegative Wegener's granulomatosis

Here we present a 40-yr-old male patient with an aggressive B-cell lymphoma, who presented 2 yr earlier with polyarthritis, and was responsive to steroids and oral methotrexate. Thereafter he developed skin and lung lesions which on biopsy consisted of mixed 'inflammatory' infiltrates with granulomatous vasculitis. A diagnosis of seronegative Wegener's granulomatosis was made and the patient received a combination of prednisone and cyclophosphamide with clinical improvement and clearance of the radiological lesions in the lungs. The patient was now completely asymptomatic for 1 yr, but then generalized lymphadenopathy appeared, which was shown by histopathology to be large B-cell lymphoma, also involving the bone marrow. Despite intensive chemotherapy, his disease could not be controlled because of primary chemoresistance, which was perhaps in some way related to exposure to the suboptimal doses of chemotherapy given during the 'inflammatory' period before the diagnosis of lymphoma was established. This case illustrates the occasional difficulty in distinguishing between extranodal lymphoproliferative diseases and autoimmune disorders especially when clonality cannot be proved. It also shows the possible risk of 'masking' a true lymphoma by treating non-malignant diseases with immunosuppressive agents, which may eventually contribute to the development of chemoresistant lymphoma.     

Primary intravascular large B-cell lymphoma of the lung: a review and case report

Objective

To investigate the clinicopathological features of primary intravascular large B-cell lymphoma (IVLBCL) of the lung.

Methods

Histopathological and clinical data based on lung biopsy were analyzed and used to diagnose a patient with IVLBCL of the lung.

Results

Fever and respiratory symptoms were the main presentations, lung biopsy revealed lymphoma cells in the lumen of small blood vessels. Tumor cells expressed Bcl-2, the Bcl-6, CD20, Ki67, MUM-1, Pax5, CD, CD30, and vascular endothelial CD34.

Conclusions

Primary pulmonary IVLBCL of the lung is extremely rare, on chest CT it manifests as diffuse ground glass shadow, or nodular consolidations in the lung, lactate dehydrogenase and C-reactive protein was found to increase, fluorodeoxyglucose positron emission tomography/computed tomography (FDG-PET/CT) is an important and significant diagnostic modality in its early diagnosis. Also, bronchial lung biopsy has the advantage of less trauma and high sensitive rate. R-CHOP is the main treatment for lung primary pulmonary IVLBCL of the lung; however, its prognosis is relatively poor.     

Glomerulonephritis Associated with Infective Endocarditis Showing Serological Positivity for PR3-anti-neutrophil Cytoplasmic Antibody and Anti-glomerular Basement Membrane Antibody

We herein report a case of crescentic glomerulonephritis (GN) associated with infective endocarditis (IE). A 61-year-old-woman presented with a fever and renal dysfunction and was diagnosed with IE. The patient was positive for proteinase 3-anti-neutrophil cytoplasmic antibody (PR3-ANCA) and anti-glomerular basement membrane (GBM) antibodies. Renal biopsy findings showed crescentic GN with isolated deposition of C3c, a serum conversion product of complement C3. Given these clinical findings, the patient was diagnosed with infective endocardis (IE)-associated GN. Antibiotic therapy was continued without immunosuppressive agents. After the initiation of the antibiotics, the fever resolved, and the renal function gradually recovered. This case highlights the notion that laboratory findings should be carefully evaluated with reference to other findings.     

血管内大B细胞淋巴瘤1例报告并文献复习

目的：为了解血管内大B细胞淋巴瘤(IVL)的临床、病理、病理生理情况。方法：对我科一例IVL的病例作了回顾性分析。结果：此例患者于人院第9周因全血细胞进行性减少，持续高热不退、肺部症状不能控制，呼吸和循环功能衰竭而死亡。结论：IVL的预后一般较差，多数一年内死亡，临床上要引起重视。     

Evaluation of organ involvement in intravascular large B-cell lymphoma by 18F-fluorodeoxyglucose positron emission tomography

To evaluate the role of (18)F-fluorodeoxyglucose positron emission tomography (FDG-PET) in intravascular large B-cell lymphoma (IVLBCL), we retrospectively analyzed four consecutive IVLBCL patients receiving FDG-PET before treatment between May 2006 and November 2007. Patients were two men and two women (median age 62 years, range 54-76 years). All patients received bone marrow biopsies and random skin biopsies and two of the four patients underwent renal biopsy for diagnosis. Accuracy of FDG-PET for the detection of organ involvements was analyzed by comparing results of pathological findings. Concordant results with respect to bone marrow involvement were accurately obtained for two patients. Skin and renal involvements were undetectable by FDG-PET regardless of positive pathological findings. One patient with a false-negative FDG-PET result showed fewer lymphoma cells in the bone marrow specimen than patients with concordant FDG-PET results. These results suggest false-negative results for some types of organ involvement. Careful interpretation of the results of FDG-PET in IVLBCL is thus required.     

A patient with intravascular lymphoma presenting with cerebral infarction and a high serum MPO-ANCA level

Abstract

A 74-year-old woman presented with multiple brain infarctions, an inflammatory reaction, and a high serum titer (414 U/ml) of myeloperoxidase-specific antineutrophil cytoplasmic antibody (MPO-ANCA) with no hematological abnormalities. After the inflammation and ANCA titers were resolved with steroid therapy for suspected microscopic polyangiitis, hemophagocytic syndrome developed. Biopsies revealed non-Hodgkin’s intravascular lymphoma (IVL). The flare of IVL with negative serum ANCA suggested that the initial high serum MPO-ANCA had not originated from tumor cells.     

抗中性粒细胞胞浆抗体相关血管炎伴非呼吸道出血的临床分析

目的:探讨抗中性粒细胞胞浆抗体(ANCA)相关血管炎(AAV)伴非呼吸道出血的临床特征、诊疗及预后。方法:回顾性整理我院近5年诊治的47例AAV患者的临床病历资料,分析其中合并非呼吸道出血者的诊治过程。结果:47例AAV中合并非呼吸道出血6例(12.7%),中位年龄58岁。2例发生2处出血,共8处出血;消化道出血2例(4.2%),脑出血3例(6.4%),肾出血1例,腹膜后血肿1例,肌肉血肿1例。6例AAV临床表型为显微镜下多血管炎(MPA)4例,肉芽肿性多血管炎(GPA)2例(脑出血2例,肾出血1例)。6例中5例出血是AAV初诊活动期发生,同时伴急进性肾炎;胸部CT多提示双肺间质改变,但无咯血。1例肌肉血肿发生在血管炎复发期。4例MPOANCA强阳性,1例MPO-ANCA中阳性,1例PR3-ANCA强阳性。5例出血发作前已予激素治疗,临床表现较急骤危重,如头痛、腹痛、血便,常伴血红蛋白快速下降,3例休克血压;血小板计数及凝血指标均正常,仅1例血钙偏低。6例继续激素、环磷酰胺治疗,3例并用静脉免疫球蛋白、血浆置换和血液透析,辅以输血、止血(血管介入栓塞或手术)。6例中2例死亡(脑出血1例,消化道出血1例),4例存活者使用激素、免疫抑制剂诱导缓解,2例并用血浆置换治疗好转、脱离血液透析。结论:AAV合并非呼吸道出血的比例达12.7%;以脑出血和消化道出血为主,与本病导致血管损害相关,也是致命性的并发症。早期识别,积极免疫抑制剂治疗联合血浆置换、静脉免疫球蛋白,并止血处理(血管介入栓塞或手术),部分患者经救治可缓解。     

Intravascular large B-cell lymphoma with involvement of the abdominal subcutis: a case report and literature review

Intravascular large B-cell lymphoma (IVLBCL) is a rare subtype of diffuse large B-cell lymphoma (DLBCL). It commonly presents with a variety of symptoms due to occlusion of small vessels by tumor cells in different organ systems. Clinically patients may present with generalized symptoms such as fever and malaise. In western patients, there is a ‘cutaneous variant’ of IVLBCL, which demonstrates cutaneous involvement only. However, Asian patients show hemophagocytosis, which is typical of the ‘Asian variant’. Here we report a case of IVLBCL in a Chinese individual who presented with a huge mass in the subcutis of the abdomen. Wenjuan Yin, Min Li are contributed equally to this work.     

Kidney transplantation for a patient with refractory childhood-onset ANCA-associated vasculitis

A 14-year-old Japanese girl was admitted to our institution for the evaluation of renal dysfunction. Her serum creatinine was 1.1 mg/dL, proteinuria was 1.5 g/day, the urine sediment contained numerous erythrocytes per high-power field, and she was positive for myeloperoxidase anti-neutrophil cytoplasmic antibody (MPO-ANCA). Proteinuria was first noted at the age of 12 years. Renal biopsy showed crescentic glomerulonephritis with slight immunoglobulin A (IgA) deposition. A diagnosis of ANCA-associated vasculitis was made. Immunosuppressive therapy was initiated, including steroid pulse therapy and intravenous cyclophosphamide pulse therapy, but hemodialysis was required after 6 years. Eight months after the patient became anuric and her MPO-ANCA titer became negative, living-related donor kidney transplantation was done from her mother. ANCA became slightly positive 2 years later, but the patient remains stable without proteinuria or hematuria at 4 years after surgery. This case suggests that kidney transplantation can be performed successfully for a patient with refractory childhood-onset ANCA-associated vasculitis, and that remission of vasculitis associated with ANCA negativity at transplantation may contribute to a better renal prognosis in this patient.     

抗中性粒细胞胞浆抗体相关性血管炎感染患者淋巴细胞及CD4^+T细胞减少与死亡的相关性

目的探讨使用激素和(或)环磷酰胺(cyclophosphamide,CTX)发生感染的抗中性粒细胞胞浆抗体(antineutrophil cytoplasmic antibody,ANCA)相关性血管炎(ANCA associated vasculitis,AAV)患者,住院期间淋巴细胞及CD4^+T细胞减少程度与死亡的相关性。方法回顾性分析2010至2013年北京协和医院治疗期间发生感染住院AAV患者的临床资料,按照淋巴细胞最低值连续两次符合≥0.8×10^9/L、0.5~0.79×10^9/L、0.3~0.49×10^9/L、<0.3×10^9/L分为无减少、轻度、中度和重度减少,CD4^+T细胞计数按照符合≥500×10^6/L、200~499×10^6/L、<200×10^6/L分为无减少、轻度和重度减少,并收集患者诊断、年龄、病程、住院时间、伯明翰系统性血管炎活动评分(BVAS)、CTX累计剂量、激素使用时间、感染部位和病原学,按转归分组行相关性及风险分析。结果共纳入67例患者,存活组与死亡组相比,年龄、病程、住院时间、BVAS、起病时肌酐水平及尿蛋白定量、CTX累计剂量、激素使用时间均无差异,淋巴细胞减少有统计学差异(P<0.001)。38例检测T细胞亚群,发现死亡组与存活组间CD4^+T细胞减少有统计学差异(P=0.003)。死亡组中,患者感染病原学以巨细胞病毒(cytomegalovirus,CMV)最常见,淋巴细胞重度下降组中最常见为鲍曼不动杆菌,其次分别为CMV、肺炎克雷伯菌、白色念珠菌;中度和轻度下降组最常见为CMV感染。多因素COX模型校正年龄和性别后的死亡风险预测分析发现,重度淋巴细胞减少HR为5.23(95%CI:1.68~16.31,P=0.004),中度下降HR为3.87(95%CI:1.03~14.54,P=0.045)。结论AAV患者感染后住院期间淋巴细胞及CD4^+T细胞减少与死亡相关,淋巴细胞中重度减少是死亡的风险因素,死亡患者主要感染病原体为CMV、鲍曼不动杆菌及肺炎克雷伯菌。     

Monoclonal antibody therapy for B-cell lymphoma: clinical trials of an anti-CD20 monoclonal antibody for B-cell lymphoma in Japan

Twelve patients with relapsed CD20+ B-cell non-Hodgkin's lymphoma (B-NHL) were enrolled in a phase I study of rituximab; 4 received rituximab 250 mg/m2 and 8 received rituximab 375 mg/m2 once weekly for 4 weeks. Grade 1 or 2 infusion-related toxicity was observed. Of the 11 eligible patients, 2 achieved complete responses and 5 achieved partial responses. The elimination half-life (T1/2) of rituximab was 445 +/- 361 hours, and serum rituximab levels were detectable at 3 months. Thereafter, 90 relapse patients with indolent B-NHL or mantle cell lymphoma (MCL) were enrolled in a phase II study and treated with rituximab at 375 mg/m2 per infusion in 4 weekly infusions. Sixteen patients were ineligible in protocol compatible analyses. The overall response rates (ORR) in indolent B-NHL and MCL were 61% (37 of 61 patients) and 46% (6 of 13 patients), respectively. Factors affecting response and progression-free survival (PFS) were analyzed for 77 patients whose histopathology was centrally confirmed as indolent B-NHL or MCL. The ORR in patients receiving 1 prior chemotherapy regimen was higher than the ORR in those receiving > or = 2 regimens (P < .05). The median PFS was shorter in MCL patients, in those with extranodal disease, and in those receiving > or = 2 prior chemotherapy regimens (P < .01). The PFS of patients with higher serum rituximab levels (> or = 70 microg/mL) immediately before the third infusion was longer than that of other patients (P < .01). Several pretreatment factors and serum rituximab levels are useful for predicting the efficacy of rituximab monotherapy. Rituximab re-treatment was well tolerated in 13 patients with no grade 3 or 4 nonhematological toxicities. A partial response was observed in 5 patients (38%), and the median PFS after re-treatment was 5.1 months. In conclusion, rituximab is a highly effective agent in relapsed indolent and aggressive B-NHL and MCL and has acceptable toxicities.     

Identification of a novel fusion, SQSTM1-ALK, in ALK-positive large B-cell lymphoma

ALK-positive large B-cell lymphoma is a rare subtype of lymphoma, and most cases follow an aggressive clinical course with a poor prognosis. We examined an ALK-positive large B-cell lymphoma case showing an anti-ALK immunohistochemistry pattern distinct from those of 2 known ALK fusions, CLTC-ALK and NPM-ALK, for the presence of a novel ALK fusion; this led to the identification of SQSTM1-ALK. SQSTM1 is an ubiquitin binding protein that is associated with oxidative stress, cell signaling, and autophagy. We showed transforming activities of SQSTM1-ALK with a focus formation assay and an in vivo tumorigenicity assay using 3T3 fibroblasts infected with a recombinant retrovirus encoding SQSTM1-ALK. ALK-inhibitor therapies are promising for treating ALK-positive large B-cell lymphoma, especially for refractory cases. SQSTM1-ALK may be a rare fusion, but our data provide novel biological insights and serve as a key for the accurate diagnosis of this rare lymphoma.     

Cytomegalovirus enterocolitis in a patient with diffuse large B-cell lymphoma after chemotherapy with rituximab

TO THE EDITOR In response to Unluturk et al ’s letter to the editor entitled ‘Cytomegalovirus gastritis after rituximab treatment in a non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma patient[1], a similar case of cy- tomegalovirus (CMV) enterocolitis after treatment with ritux…     

Transformation of follicular lymphoma to diffuse large B-cell lymphoma proceeds by distinct oncogenic mechanisms

This study was undertaken to further elucidate the biological mechanisms underlying the frequent event of transformation of follicular lymphoma (FL) to diffuse large B-cell lymphoma (t-FL). The gene expression profiles of 20 paired lymph node biopsies, derived from the same patient pre- and post-transformation, were analysed using the Lymphochip cDNA microarray. TP53 mutation analysis was performed and copy number alterations at the c-REL and CDNK2A examined. Immunohistochemistry was performed on an independent panel of paired transformation paraffin-embedded samples. Transformed follicular lymphoma was predominantly of the germinal centre B-like phenotype both at the mRNA and protein level. Despite this homogeneity, transformation proceeded by at least two pathways. One mechanism was characterised by high proliferation, as assessed by the co-ordinately expressed genes of the proliferation signature. This group was associated with the presence of recurrent oncogenic abnormalities. In the remaining cases, proliferation was not increased and transformation proceeded by alternative routes as yet undetermined. Genes involved in cellular proliferation prevailed amongst those that were significantly increased upon transformation and T cell and follicular dendritic-associated genes predominated amongst those that decreased. t-FL is a germinal centre B (GCB)-like malignancy that evolves by two pathways, one that is similar in proliferation rate to the antecedent FL and the other that has a higher proliferation rate and is characterised by the presence of recognised oncogenic abnormalities.