Hepatosplenic γδ T-cell lymphoma

AIM: To investigate the clinicopathologic characteristics, immunophenotype and TCR gene rearrangements of hepatosplenic T-cell lymphoma in eight Chinese patients. METHODS: Eight Chinese patients with hepatosplenic γδ T-cell lymphomas were studied. Hematoxylin-eosin-stained slides and clinical histories were reviewed. We also carried out immunohistochemical staining for CD3, CD4, CD8, CD20, CD43, CD56, CD79a, UCHL-1, and TCR γδ. Rearrangements of TCR gamma and delta chain genes were also studied. RESULTS: The spleens were enlarged and the cut surfaces were homogeneous and red-purple in color without identifiable gross lesions or enlarged hilar lymph nodes. Histologically, Iymphoma cells infiltrated the cords of Billroth and often packed the sinuses. Liver biopsy showed Iymphoma cell infiltrations in the sinusoids, and three cases showed involvements of the portal tracts. Immunohistochemically Iymphoma cells were positive for CD3, CD43, and CD56 in all cases. Four of eight cases were positive for CD8, and all cases were negative for CD4 (6/6). Monoclonal rearrangements of TCR γ gene were demonstrated by PCR analysis in five out of the eight cases. TCR δ gene rearrangements were detected in six out of the eight cases, which demonstrated single bands on PAGE gel, and the amplification products in two cases were confirmed by sequencing. CONCLUSION: The clinicopathology of hepatosplenic γδ T-cell lymphoma in Chinese patients is similar to what was previously reported except that the splenomegaly is not so massive, and CD8 is positive.     

Angioimmunoblastic T-cell lymphoma: a relatively common type of T-cell lymphoma in Sjögren's syndrome

An increased risk of developing lymphoma has been indicated in Sj?gren's syndrome (SS), and the lymphomas in SS are usually B-cell type in origin. Interestingly, despite the rather low frequency of T-cell lymphoma in SS, angioimmunoblastic T-cell lymphoma (AILD) constitute the majority of T-cell lymphomas associated with SS. To the best of our knowledge, including our case, at least 11 out of 23 (48%) cases of T-cell lymphoma reported in association with SS, were AILD. The fact that the development of B-cell lymphoma in SS is much more frequent than that of T-cell lymphoma, might be explained by differences in the situation between B and T cells, although the exact mechanism still remains uncertain.     

T-cell receptor γδ T-cell leukemia with the morphology of T-cell prolymphocytic leukemia and a postthymic immunophenotype

T-cell prolymphocytic leukemia (T-PLL) is a postthymic T-cell neoplasm with a characteristic morphology and heterogeneous immunophenotype. Most cases of T-PLL express membrane T-cell receptors (TCRs) of the alphabeta phenotype. We experienced a 30-year-old man suffering from TCRgammadelta T-cell leukemia with morphology compatible to T-PLL with a postthymic phenotype. He was admitted with skin eruption and pancytopenia. Peripheral blood and bone marrow were occupied with medium-sized lymphocytes, which had moderately condensed chromatin with a single nucleolus and sparse, nongranular basophilic cytoplasm. The immunophenotype was CD1a-, CD2-, CD3+, CD4-, CD5+, CD7+, CD8-, and terminal deoxynucleotidyl transferase negative. Hepatosplenomegaly was absent. He was diagnosed as having T-PLL and was treated with combination chemotherapy. Six months later the leukemic cell became chemoresistant. Although the patient showed transient improvement in response to pentostatin, he died 13 months after the diagnosis. To our knowledge, this is the first case of T-PLL with a TCRgammadelta phenotype.     

γ/δ Receptor-expressing T-cell clones from a cutaneous T-cell lymphoma suppress hematopoiesis

Summary Recently we described a cutaneous T-cell lymphoma expressing the / T-cell receptor [5]. The patient suffering from this lymphoma showed low numbers of myeloid and T cells in peripheral blood, while B and NK cells were relatively increased. In vitro culture of the patient's bone marrow (BM) cells revealed a significant suppression of myeloid/monocyte colony formation (GM-CFU) compared with normal controls. This was not due to infiltration of the BM with lymphoma cells. We speculated that a soluble factor either secreted or induced by the lymphoma cells might be responsible for the marked suppression of hematopoiesis in this patient. From a skin biopsy with infiltrating / T-lymphoma cells we established T-cell clones bearing the / T-cell receptor and resembling the phenotype of the lymphoma cells. The supernatant (SN) of these / T-cell clones reduced the number of colonies in a CFU-GM assay (using normal control BM) in comparison to SN of / T-cell clones established from the same biopsy. This suppression was seen mainly on day 7 of culture and was not neutralized by the addition of placenta-CM. The main mediator of this suppression seems to be IFN-,since it was detectable in high amounts in the SN of these / T-cell tumor clones as well as in the serum of the patient. In addition, anti-IFN- antibodies can reverse the T-cell SN-mediated suppression of CFU-GM. We conclude that high serum levels of interferon-, which is secreted in high amounts from / T-cells grown from a biopsy of a cutaneous lymphoma, can suppress hematopoiesis.Abbreviations TCR T-cell receptor - IFN- interferon- - SN supernatant - placenta CM placenta conditioned medium - BM bone marrow - CFU-GM myeloid/monocyte colony formation - NK cells natural killer cells - Ab antibody M. Wilhelm was supported by theDeutsche Forschungsgemeinschaft (DFG Wi 728-2)     

Antibody therapy for Adult T-cell leukemia–lymphoma

Adult T-cell leukemia–lymphoma (ATL) has a very poor prognosis. Since there currently are limited treatment options for ATL patients, several novel agents are being developed and tested clinically. Antibody therapy against ATL was initially started with interleukin-2 receptor α-subunit, CD25, as a target molecule in the late 1980s, and is currently ongoing. CC chemokine receptor 4 (CCR4) was postulated as a novel molecular target in ATL antibody therapy, and humanized anti-CCR4 mAb (KW-0761), whose Fc region was defucosylated to enhance antibody-dependent cellular cytotoxicity, was developed. A phase I study of KW-0761 in relapsed ATL and peripheral T-cell lymphoma was started in 2006, and a subsequent phase II study was completed in 2010. KW-0761 showed a clinically meaningful antitumor activity in patients with relapsed ATL, with an acceptable toxicity profile. The prognosis of ATL patients should be improved in the near future with clinical applications of novel treatment strategies, including those involving KW-0761 and other promising antibody therapies targeting CD25 or CD30.     

Peripheral T-cell lymphoma – are we making progress?

Peripheral T cell lymphoma (PTCL) is a rare subtype of non-Hodgkin lymphoma. PTCLs are heterogeneous in terms of biology, but generally have more aggressive features and poorer outcomes than aggressive B-cell lymphomas when treated with combination chemotherapy. While the best long-term results are still seen with intensive chemotherapeutic approaches, significant progress has been made with molecular profiling identifying genetic drivers of PTCL that could serve as therapeutic targets. Tailoring therapy to different subtypes of PTCL may lead to more individualized approaches with the hope of improved outcomes. In this paper, we review current therapies for treatment of PTCL, newly identified molecular markers, and the role of emerging therapy and novel combinations of existing agents.     

Adult T-cell lymphoma mimicking Henoch–Schönlein purpura

We report a male patient with adult T-cell lymphoma, who was initially diagnosed clinically as having Henoch–Schönlein purpura (HSP) with abdominal pain and specific purpura. Adult T-cell lymphoma-like cells were minimal and abdominal lymph nodes were transiently swollen, and the symptoms were improved by supportive management. Although the clinical course was compatible with HSP, the histological examination revealed infiltration of lymphocytes rather than neutrophils. Later he developed lymphoma and was treated with chemotherapy. This rare case suggests the importance of skin biopsies to seek the underlying pathology in adult HSP.     

Blastic NK-cell lymphoma/leukemia with T-cell receptor γ rearrangement

A 79-year-old Japanese man was admitted to our hospital with dyspnea in June 1999. Physical examination revealed general exanthema, hepatosplenomegaly, and lymphadenopathy. Increased numbers of abnormal cells were observed in peripheral blood; these cells were of lymphoblastic morphology with high nuclear/cytoplasm ratios and few azurophilic granules. Immunophenotypic analysis revealed positivity for CD2, CD4, CD56, and HLA-DR, and negativity for CD3, CD13, CD16, CD33, CD34, and T cell receptor (TCR). On genotypic analysis, TCRgamma chain was rearranged, but neither the TCRbeta chain nor TCRdelta chain. Despite an initial good response to chemotherapy the disease relapsed in the early stage, and the patient died 6 months after diagnosis.     

Epstein–Barr virus-associated B-cell lymphoma secondary to FCD-C therapy in patients with peripheral T-cell lymphoma

Epstein–Barr virus (EBV)-associated B-cell lymphoproliferative disorders occur at an increasing frequency in various hereditary and acquired states of immune dysfunction. In a few cases of T-cell lymphoma, especially in angioimmunoblastic T-cell lymphoma (AILT), EBV-associated B-cell lymphoproliferative disorders have been reported. Here, we present two cases of EBV-associated B-cell lymphoma after treatment of T-cell lymphoma (AILT and peripheral T-cell lymphoma, unspecified, PTCL-NOS) with a regimen containing alemtuzumab and fludarabine. Conventional and immunohistological tissue staining showed the typical features of highly proliferating diffuse large B-cell lymphoma in both cases. The monoclonal B-cell population displayed EBV latency type III. At the time of diagnosis the cellular immune status of both patients was severely compromised with an absolute CD4 T-cell count below <120 μl⁻¹. Our observation supports the notion that combination of cytotoxic drugs and immunosuppressive antibodies in patients with T-cell lymphoma may severely aggravate the already present immunodeficiency. We suggest to monitor the cellular immune status in combination with the EBV load in high risk patients for early detection—and possibly intervention—of EBV-associated lymphoma.     

Lymphadenopathy in adult-onset Still’s disease mimicking peripheral T-cell lymphoma

Lymphadenopathy (LAP) that is seen in adult onset Stills disease (AOSD) may be confused with lymphoma. Here we present a patient with AOSD and with LAP that histopathologically mimicked T-cell lymphoma.Abbreviations AOSD Adult-onset Stills disease - CRP C-reactive protein - ESR Erythrocyte sedimentation rate - LAP Lymphadenopathy - TGGE Temperature gradient gel electrophoresis     

Gamma-delta T-cell lymphoma: outcome of a hyperactive malarial splenomegaly?

We report a gamma-delta T-cell lymphoma, in a male patient having a hyperactive malarial splenomegaly. The immunological disorder caused by chronic antigenic stimulation could be one of the causes leading to the occurrence of such hematologic disease. The prognosis of this type of lymphoma remains poor, partly due to delayed diagnosis. Therefore, it seems appropriate to investigate any atypical hyperactive malarial splenomegaly. In our observation, the macrophagic activation syndrome led us to discover the lymphoma.     

Epstein–Barr virus-infected subcutaneous panniculitis-like T-cell lymphoma associated with methotrexate treatment

Methotrexate-associated lymphoproliferative disorder (MTX-LPD) is a lymphoid proliferation or lymphoma in patients treated with MTX. We report a case of Epstein–Barr virus (EBV)-positive subcutaneous panniculitis-like T-cell lymphoma (SPTCL) in a 60-year-old Japanese man treated with MTX for rheumatoid arthritis (RA). SPTCL is a rare cytotoxic T-cell lymphoma characterized by involvement of subcutaneous fat mimicking panniculitis. The patient, who had been on MTX therapy for RA, manifested high fever and lumbago. Physical examination showed multiple subcutaneous nodules on the trunk including axillary and inguinal regions. Biopsy of the inguinal nodule showed profuse infiltration of CD8⁺ T-cell lymphoma cells in the subcutaneous adipose tissues. A diagnosis of SPTCL was made according to the diagnostic criteria of World Health Organization classification. EBV-encoded small RNA in situ hybridization revealed that the lymphoma cells contained EBV genome. The cells were positive for EBV latent membrane protein 1, but not for EBNA2. After discontinuation of MTX, the nodules regressed spontaneously. Studies have reported that most MTX-LPDs are B-cell type lymphomas and Hodgkin lymphoma. To the best of our knowledge, EBV-positive SPTCL has not been reported in patients receiving MTX. Our case emphasizes the importance of clinical and virological characterization of MTX-associated SPTCL.