Paradoxical regulation of hypoxia inducible factor-1α (HIF-1α) by histone deacetylase inhibitor in diffuse large B-cell lymphoma

Hypoxia inducible factor (HIF) is important in cancer, as it regulates various oncogenic genes as well as genes involved in cell survival, proliferation, and migration. Elevated HIF-1 protein promotes a more aggressive tumor phenotype, and greater HIF-1 expression has been demonstrated to correlate with poorer prognosis, increased risk of metastasis and increased mortality. Recent reports suggest that HIF-1 activates autophagy, a lysosomal degradation pathway which may promote tumor cell survival. We show here that HIF-1α expression is constitutively active in multiple diffuse large B cell lymphoma (DLBCL) cell lines under normoxia and it is regulated by the PI3K/AKT pathway. PCI-24781, a pan histone deacetylase inhibitor (HDACI), enhanced accumulation of HIF-1α and induced autophagy initially, while extended incubation with the drug resulted in inhibition of HIF-1α. We tested the hypothesis that PCI-24781- induced autophagy is mediated by HIF-1α and that inhibition of HIF-1α in these cells results in attenuation of autophagy and decreased survival. We also provide evidence that autophagy serves as a survival pathway in DLBCL cells treated with PCI-24781 which suggests that the use of autophagy inhibitors such as chloroquine or 3-methyl adenine in combination with PCI-24781 may enhance apoptosis in lymphoma cells.

Lymphoma Occurring During Pregnancy: Antenatal Therapy, Complications, and Maternal Survival in a Multicenter Analysis

Purpose

Lymphoma is the fourth most frequent cancer in pregnancy; however, current clinical practice is based largely on small series and case reports.

Patients and Methods

In a multicenter retrospective analysis, we examined treatment, complications, and outcomes for Hodgkin lymphoma (HL) and non-Hodgkin lymphoma (NHL) occurring during pregnancy.

Results

Among 90 patients (NHL, n = 50; HL, n = 40), median age was 30 years (range, 18 to 44 years) and median diagnosis occurred at 24 weeks gestation. Of patients with NHL, 52% had advanced-stage versus 25% of patients with HL (P = .01). Pregnancy was terminated in six patients. Among the other 84 patients, 28 (33%) had therapy deferred to postpartum; these patients were diagnosed at a median 30 weeks gestation. This compared with 56 patients (67%) who received antenatal therapy with median lymphoma diagnosis at 21 weeks (P < .001); 89% of these patients received combination chemotherapy. The most common preterm complication was induction of labor (33%). Gestation went to full term in 56% of patients with delivery occurring at a median of 37 weeks. There were no differences in maternal complications, perinatal events, or median infant birth weight based on deferred versus antenatal therapy. At 41 months, 3-year progression-free survival (PFS) and overall survival (OS) for NHL were 53% and 82%, respectively, and 85% and 97%, respectively, for HL. On univariate analysis for NHL, radiotherapy predicted inferior PFS, and increased lactate dehydrogenase and poor Eastern Cooperative Oncology Group performance status (ECOG PS) portended worse OS. For HL patients, nulliparous status and “B” symptoms predicted inferior PFS.

Conclusion

Standard (non-antimetabolite) combination chemotherapy administered past the first trimester, as early as 13 weeks gestation, was associated with few complications and expected maternal survival with lymphoma occurring during pregnancy.

Abstract B201: Targeting HIF-1α in diffuse large B cell lymphoma: Role for HDAC inhibitors

Hypoxia inducible factor (HIF) is important in cancer, as it regulates various oncogenic genes as well as genes involved in cell survival, proliferation, and migration. Elevated HIF-1 protein promotes a more aggressive tumor phenotype, and greater HIF-1 expression has been demonstrated to correlate with poorer prognosis, increased risk of metastasis and increased mortality. Recent reports suggest that HIF-1 activates autophagy, a lysosomal degradation pathway which may promote tumor cell survival. We show here that HIF-1α is constitutively active in multiple diffuse large B cell lymphoma (DLBCL) cell lines under normoxia and it is regulated by the PI3K/AKT pathway. PCI-24781, a pan histone deacetylase inhibitor (HDACI), enhanced accumulation of HIF-1α and induced autophagy initially, while extended incubation with the drug resulted in inhibition of HIF-1α. We tested the hypothesis that PCI-24781- induced autophagy is mediated by HIF-1α and that inhibition of HIF-1α in these cells results in attenuation of autophagy and decreased survival. We also provide evidence that autophagy serves as a survival pathway in DLBCL cells treated with PCI-24781 which suggest that the use of autophagy inhibitors such as chloroquine or 3-methyl adenine in combination with PCI-24781 may enhance apoptosis in lymphoma cells.

Citation Information: Mol Cancer Ther 2013;12(11 Suppl):B201.

Citation Format: Savita Bhalla, Andrew M. Evens, Sheila Prachand, Paul T. Schumacker, Leo I. Gordon. Targeting HIF-1α in diffuse large B cell lymphoma: Role for HDAC inhibitors. [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the AACR-NCI-EORTC International Conference: Molecular Targets and Cancer Therapeutics; 2013 Oct 19-23; Boston, MA. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Mol Cancer Ther 2013;12(11 Suppl):Abstract nr B201.

A multicenter phase II study incorporating high-dose rituximab and liposomal doxorubicin into the CODOX-M/IVAC regimen for untreated Burkitt's lymphoma

BACKGROUND

Despite improvement with intensive multi-agent chemotherapy, 2-year progression-free survival (PFS) rates for adults with high-risk Burkitt's lymphoma (BL) remains <55%.

PATIENTS AND METHODS

We conducted a phase II trial for newly diagnosed classic BL utilizing liposomal doxorubicin (Adriamycin) in lieu of doxorubicin and incorporating intravenous rituximab (at 500 mg/m(2) twice/cycle) into the CODOX-M/IVAC regimen. Correlative analyses included paired serum and cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) rituximab levels and close examination of cardiac function.

RESULTS

Among 25 BL patients, the median age was 44 years (23-70) and 4 patients were HIV positive. There were 20 high-risk and 5 low-risk patients. At baseline, 40% of high-risk patients had bone marrow involvement, 35% had bulky disease and 15% had central nervous system involvement. The overall response rate was 100% (complete remission 92%). At 34-month median follow-up, the 2-year PFS and overall survival (OS) rates for all patients were 80% and 84%, respectively (low-risk: both 100%; high-risk: 76% and 81%, respectively). Furthermore, the 2-year PFS, OS, and disease-specific survival (DSS) rates for high-risk, HIV-negative patients were 84%, 89% and 100%, respectively. Adverse events (AEs) appeared to be consistent with prior CODOX-M/IVAC data, although there were several grade 3 cardiac events noted (all declined ejection fraction without clinical symptoms). The mean serum rituximab levels at 24 h after cycles 1 and 3 for patients without relapse were 258 and 306 μg/ml, respectively, versus 131 and 193 μg/ml, respectively, for patients with early progression (P = 0.002 and 0.002, respectively). The mean CSF rituximab levels for all patients were 0.11 and 0.24 μg/ml, respectively, at cycle 1 (24/72 h), which equated to serum:CSF ratios of 0.05% and 0.20%, respectively.

CONCLUSIONS

The integration of rituximab into CODOX-M/IVAC for adult BL was feasible and tolerable, while changes in cardiac function warrant continued examination. This regimen was associated with excellent survival rates for HIV-negative BL. Further investigation of the predictive value of serum rituximab is needed. Clinicaltrials.gov NCT00392990.

A phase I/II trial of bortezomib combined concurrently with gemcitabine for relapsed or refractory DLBCL and peripheral T-cell lymphomas

There remains an unmet therapeutic need for patients with relapsed/refractory diffuse large B-cell lymphoma (DLBCL) and peripheral T-cell lymphoma (PTCL). We conducted a phase I/II trial with bortezomib (dose-escalated to 1·6 mg/m(2) ) given concurrently with gemcitabine (800 mg/m(2) ) days 1 + 8 q21 d. Of 32 patients, 16 each had relapsed/refractory PTCL and DLBCL. Median prior therapies were 3 and 35% had failed transplant. Among the first 18 patients, 67% experienced grade 3/4 neutropenia and/or grade 3/4 thrombocytopenia resulting in repeated treatment delays (relative dose intensity: 46%). Thus, the study was amended to give bortezomib and gemcitabine days 1 + 15 q28 d, which resulted in markedly improved tolerability. Among all patients, the overall response rate (ORR) was 24% with 19% complete remission (CR; intent-to-treat (ITT) ORR 16%, CR 13%), which met criteria for futility. The ORR for DLBCL was 10% (CR 10%) vs. 36% for PTCL (CR 27%). Among 6 PTCL patients treated on the modified schedule, ORR by ITT was 50% (CR 30%). Altogether, concurrent bortezomib/gemcitabine given days 1 + 8 q21 d was not tolerable, while modification to a bi-monthly schedule allowed consistent treatment delivery. Whereas efficacy of this combination was low in heavily pre-treated DLBCL, there was a signal of activity in relapsed/refractory PTCL utilizing the modified schedule.

Pre-diagnosis cigarette smoking and overall survival in non-Hodgkin lymphoma

We examined whether smoking prior to non-Hodgkin lymphoma (NHL) diagnosis was associated with overall survival (OS) and conducted a meta-analysis to assess the evidence relating pre-diagnosis cigarette smoking with OS. Among 523 NHL patients, worse OS was suggested for greater pre-diagnostic smoking habits when compared to never smokers. In the meta-analysis (n = 5 patient populations), inferior OS was observed for greater number of cigarettes smoked per day, years of cigarette smoking, and pack-years of cigarette smoking. The inferior survival was more pronounced for follicular than for diffuse large B cell lymphoma. Pre-diagnosis cigarette smoking may adversely impact the survival of NHL patients.

Primary CNS posttransplant lymphoproliferative disease (PTLD): an international report of 84 cases in the modern era

We performed a multicenter, International analysis of solid organ transplant (SOT)-related primary central nervous system (PCNS) posttransplant lymphoproliferative disease (PTLD). Among 84 PCNS PTLD patients, median time of SOT-to-PTLD was 54 months, 79% had kidney SOT, histology was monomorphic in 83% and tumor was EBV+ in 94%. Further, 33% had deep brain involvement, 10% had CSF involvement, while none had ocular disease. Immunosuppression was reduced in 93%; additional first-line therapy included high-dose methotrexate (48%), high-dose cytarabine (33%), brain radiation (24%) and/or rituximab (44%). The overall response rate was 60%, while treatment-related mortality was 13%. With 42-month median follow-up, three-year progression-free survival (PFS) and overall survival (OS) were 32% and 43%, respectively. There was a trend on univariable analysis for improved PFS for patients who received rituximab and/or high-dose cytarabine. On multivariable Cox regression, poor performance status predicted inferior PFS (HR 2.61, 95% CI 1.32-5.17, p = 0.006), while increased LDH portended inferior OS (HR 4.16, 95% CI 1.29-13.46, p = 0.02). Moreover, lack of response to first-line therapy was the most dominant prognostic factor on multivariable analysis (HR 8.70, 95% CI 2.56-29.57, p = 0.0005). Altogether, PCNS PTLD appears to represent a distinct clinicopathologic entity within the PTLD spectrum that is associated with renal SOT, occurs late, is monomorphic and retains EBV positivity.

The efficacy and tolerability of adriamycin, bleomycin, vinblastine, dacarbazine and Stanford V in older Hodgkin lymphoma patients: a comprehensive analysis from the North American intergroup trial E2496

There is a lack of contemporary prospective data examining the adriamycin, bleomycin, vinblastine, dacarbazine (ABVD) and Stanford V (SV; doxorubicin, vinblastine, mechlorethamine, vincristine, bleomycin, etoposide, prednisone) regimens in older Hodgkin lymphoma (HL) patients. Forty-four advanced-stage, older HL patients (aged ≥60 years) were treated on the randomized study, E2496. Toxicities were mostly similar between chemotherapy regimens, although 24% of older patients developed bleomycin lung toxicity (BLT), which occurred mainly with ABVD (91%). Further, the BLT-related mortality rate was 18%. The overall treatment-related mortality for older HL patients was 9% vs. 0·3% for patients aged <60 years (P < 0·001). Among older patients, there were no survival differences between ABVD and SV. According to age, outcomes were significantly inferior for older versus younger patients (5-year failure-free survival: 48% vs. 74%, respectively, P = 0·002; 5-year overall survival: 58% and 90%, respectively, P < 0·0001), although time-to-progression (TTP) was not significantly different (5-year TTP: 68% vs. 78%, respectively, P = 0·37). Furthermore, considering progression and death without progression as competing risks, the risk of progression was not different between older and younger HL patients (5 years: 30% and 23%, respectively, P = 0·30); however, the incidence of death without progression was significantly increased for older HL patients (22% vs. 9%, respectively, P < 0·0001). Altogether, the marked HL age-dependent survival differences appeared attributable primarily to non-HL events.

The genetic landscape of mutations in Burkitt lymphoma

Burkitt lymphoma is characterized by deregulation of MYC, but the contribution of other genetic mutations to the disease is largely unknown. Here, we describe the first completely sequenced genome from a Burkitt lymphoma tumor and germline DNA from the same affected individual. We further sequenced the exomes of 59 Burkitt lymphoma tumors and compared them to sequenced exomes from 94 diffuse large B-cell lymphoma (DLBCL) tumors. We identified 70 genes that were recurrently mutated in Burkitt lymphomas, including ID3, GNA13, RET, PIK3R1 and the SWI/SNF genes ARID1A and SMARCA4. Our data implicate a number of genes in cancer for the first time, including CCT6B, SALL3, FTCD and PC. ID3 mutations occurred in 34% of Burkitt lymphomas and not in DLBCLs. We show experimentally that ID3 mutations promote cell cycle progression and proliferation. Our work thus elucidates commonly occurring gene-coding mutations in Burkitt lymphoma and implicates ID3 as a new tumor suppressor gene.

An open-label, multicenter, phase II study of bevacizumab for the treatment of angiosarcoma and epithelioid hemangioendotheliomas

BACKGROUND

To determine efficacy and safety of bevacizumab, a recombinant humanized antibody against vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF), in the treatment of metastatic or locally advanced angiosarcoma and epithelioid hemangioendotheliomas.

PATIENTS AND METHODS

In this single-arm phase II trial, 32 patients were enrolled and they received bevacizumab 15 mg/kg IV infusion in 21-day cycles. Patients had disease that was deemed not surgically resectable, Eastern Cooperative Oncology Group (ECOG) performance status of ≤1, adequate organ function and had not received any radiation treatment in the last 28 days.

RESULTS

Of the 30 patients evaluated for efficacy and toxic effect, four (two angiosarcoma and two epithelioid hemangioendothelioma; 17%) had a partial response. Fifteen patients (11 angiosarcoma and 4 epithelioid hemangioendothelioma; 50%) showed stable disease with a mean time to progression of 26 weeks. Bevacizumab was well tolerated with only one grade 4 adverse event. Expected known toxic effects of the drug were manageable.

CONCLUSION

Bevacizumab is an effective and well-tolerated treatment for metastatic or locally advanced angiosarcoma and epithelioid hemangioendotheliomas. Further phase III studies of bevacizumab in combination with other chemotherapeutic agents and/or radiation treatment are warranted.

Racial disparities in Hodgkin's lymphoma: a comprehensive population-based analysis

BACKGROUND

Racial disparity has been investigated in a number of cancers; however, there remains a comparative paucity of data in Hodgkin's lymphoma (HL).

PATIENTS AND METHODS

We examined time-, age-, and gender-specific incidence, disease characteristics, and survival across and within races for adolescent/adult HL (age 10-79 years) diagnosed during 1992-2007 in the SEER 13 registries.

RESULTS

A total of 15 662 HL cases were identified [11,211 non-Hispanic whites, 2067 Hispanics, 1662 blacks, and 722 Asian/Pacific Islanders (A/PI)]. Similar to whites, A/PIs had bimodal age-specific incidence, while blacks and Hispanics did not. Further, HL was significantly more common in Hispanics versus whites age>65 years (7.0/1×10(6) versus 4.5/1×10(6), respectively, P<0.01). By place of birth, US-born Hispanics and A/PIs age 20-39 years had higher incidence of HL versus their foreign-born counterparts (P<0.05), however, rates converged age>40 years. Interestingly, from 1992-1997 to 2003-2007, A/PI incidence rates increased >50% (P<0.001). Moreover, this increase was restricted to US-born A/PI. We also identified a number of disease-related differences based on race. Finally, 5-, 10-, and 15-year overall survival rates were inferior for blacks and Hispanics compared with whites (P<0.005 and P<0.001, respectively) and A/PI (P<0.018 and P<0.001, respectively). These differences persisted on multivariate analysis.

CONCLUSION

Collectively, we identified multiple racial disparities, including survival, in adolescent/adult HL.

The impact of race, age, and sex in follicular lymphoma (FL): A comprehensive SEER analysis in the pre- and post-rituximab (R) eras

8072

Background: While racial disparity has been well documented in a number of cancers, the impact of race in FL outcomes is not well defined. Further, the importance of gender in FL has not been fully explored. Methods: We examined population-based FL overall survival (OS) data from SEER 13 (1993-2008) regarding race, sex, age, and socioeconomic status (SES) over two consecutive 8-year (yr) periods: Era 1 (1993-2000, n=7,409) and Era 2 (2001–2008, n=9,083). Results: We identified16,492 FL patients (pts) (white (W): n=13,441; Hispanic (H): n=1,417; Asian/Pacific Islander (A/PI): n=887; and Black (B): n=747). Median ages at diagnosis differed significantly according to: (in yrs, W: 62.1, H: 57.3, A/PI: 60.5, B: 56.6; P<0.01 for each race vs. W). For all pts, OS was superior in Era 2 vs. Era 1 (5-yr OS: 77% vs. 68%, respectively, P<0.0001). Further, OS was significantly improved for all age groups (<50, 50-59, 60-69, and 70-79 yrs) as well as for males (P=0.0019) and females (P<0.0001) across eras. Interestingly, females had superior OS compared with males in Era 1 (P=0.004), but not in Era 2 (P=0.83). We subsequently compared OS within and across races (Table). All races, except A/PI, had improved 5-yr OS rates (age adjusted) from Era 1 to Era 2 (W: <0.001, H: 0.049, A/PI: 0.15, B: 0.003). Notably, A/PIs had the highest OS in Era 1, while H had the poorest OS in Era 2. These differences were more evident in males compared with females within each race. Finally, pts with higher SES had better OS in both eras, although OS was improved across eras for lower and higher SES populations. Conclusions: Collectively, we identified improved OS across eras, which was apparent for all ages, both sexes, and all races. We did not find superior outcome for females in the modern era as has been recently noted. However, several racial disparities persist, including inferior OS for H and superior OS A/PIs in the contemporary era. The disproportionate improvement in outcomes for some, but not all races, warrants continued study of racial disparities in FL. [Table: see text]

Characteristics and outcomes of extranodal NK/t-cell lymphoma (ENKL): A North American (NA) multi-institutional experience

8060

Background: ENKL is a rare and aggressive subtype of peripheral T-cell lymphoma. Due to its geographic predilection there is a paucity of data on clinical experiences from non-Asian countries. The purpose of this study was to analyze characteristics and outcomes of patients (pts) with ENKL identified from major academic centers in NA. Methods: Pts with newly diagnosed CD56+ ENKL were retrospectively identified. Analyses included disease characteristics, ethnicity, therapy, and outcomes. Results: 115 pts (63.5% Caucasian, 20% Asian, 16.5% other) were identified across 10 centers diagnosed between 5/1990-5/2011 (Era 1: pre-2000, n=16; Era 2: 2000-2005, n=45; Era 3: post-2005, n=54). Median age was 52 years (19-88). 75 (65%) had stage I/II disease and were treated with combined modality therapy (CMT) n=48, chemotherapy (CT) n=14 or radiotherapy (RT) n=14. 40 pts had stage III/IV disease and were treated with CT (n=23), CMT (n=12) or RT (n=5). CT regimens used alone or in CMT were either anthracycline-based (n=68) or other (n=29). 63% of stage I/II pts and 40% with stage III/IV achieved complete remission (CR). 30 pts underwent a stem cell transplant (SCT); 14 in first CR and 16 at progression/relapse (autologous, n=21; allogeneic, n=9). Pts with stage I/II disease had a better progression-free survival (PFS) and overall survival (OS) compared with stage III/IV (12 vs 5.2 months (p=0.003) and 41.5 vs 8.9 months (p<0.0001), respectively). For all stages, treatment with CMT compared with CT or RT alone was also associated with better PFS and OS, 18.0 vs 3.9 months (p<0.0001), and 41.5 vs 10.2 months (p=0.002) respectively. Non-anthracycline-based regimens were associated with better PFS (p=0.001) and OS (p=0.045). No survival differences were seen between Asian and non-Asian pts. Conclusions: This series represents one of the largest experiences of ENKL in NA. Our data are consistent with Asian studies in: 1) majority of pts present with early stage disease; 2) overall poor outcome; 3) superiority of CMT and non-anthracycline regimens. Advances in understanding biology and international collaborative efforts are required to improve outcome in this rare entity.

The incorporation of rituximab (R) and liposomal doxorubicin (LD) into CODOX-m/IVAC for untreated Burkitt lymphoma (BL): Final results of a prospective multicenter phase II study

8080

Background: Two-year survival rates remain <65-70% for adult BL. Further, there is a paucity of data examining the addition of R with CODOX-M/IVAC. Methods: 25 patients (pts) with classic BL enrolled onto this phase II study (3/07-4/11). Pts were classified as low risk (LR) or high risk (HR); LR received 3 CODOX-M, while HR had 4 alternating CODOX-M/IVAC (Mead et al, Blood 2008). LD (40 mg/m2) was used in lieu of doxorubicin, while intravenous R (500 mg/m2) was given days 0 + 8 of CODOX-M and days 0 + 6 of IVAC cycles. Ejection fraction (EF) was assessed at baseline, s/p 2 cycles and completion. Results: Median age was 44 years (yrs) (23-70). There were 20 HR and 5 LR pts; 3 HR and 1 LR pt were HIV+. 15% of HR pts had + CNS disease. In addition, 35% of HR pts had bulk >10 cm and 40% had bone marrow involvement. 24/25 pts were evaluable for toxicity and response. Therapy was completed at a median of 13 weeks (11-20) for HR pts and 10 weeks for LR (9-12). Myelosuppression (62% grade 4 thrombocytopenia, 4% grade 4 anemia) and mucositis (33% grade 3, 13% grade 4) appeared comparable with prior CODOX-M/IVAC data. Other grade 3 toxicities were infection (38%), neutropenic fever (29%), transaminitis (33%), diarrhea (8%), creatinine (8%), seizure (4%), vomiting (4%). Notably, there was no grade 3 or 4 neuropathy. Two grade 2 and three grade 3 cardiac events occurred (all depressed EF, no clinical CHF). Two of the three grade 3 cardiac events occurred in pts age >65 yrs. Among all pts, the median change in EF at baseline vs study end was -2% (-22% to +11%). The overall response rate (modified Cheson with FDG-PET) after 2 cycles was 100% with a 67% complete remission rate. At a median follow-up of 2.3 yrs, 2-year PFS and OS rates for all pts were 86% and 86%, respectively (LR 2-yr PFS and OS: both 100%; HR 2-yr PFS and OS: both 82%). Furthermore, 2-yr PFS and OS for HR, HIV-negative BL were 91% and 91%, respectively (disease-specific survival: 100%). Conclusions: The integration of R and LD into CODOX-M/IVAC for adult BL is feasible and associated with similar tolerability compared with prior reports. Moreover, this regimen was associated with excellent survival rates, especially for HIV-negative BL.

Analysis of very elderly (≥80 years) non-hodgkin lymphoma: impact of functional status and co-morbidities on outcome

Data on outcome, prognostic factors, and treatment for very elderly non-Hodgkin lymphomas (NHL) is sparse. We conducted a multicentre retrospective analysis of NHL patients ≥80 years (at diagnosis) treated between 1999 and 2009. Detailed characteristics were obtained including geriatric syndromes, activities of daily living (ADLs), and co-morbidities using the Cumulative Illness Rating Scale-Geriatrics (CIRS-G). We identified 303 patients: 170 aggressive NHL (84% B cell/16% T cell) and 133 indolent NHL (82% B cell/18% T cell). Median age was 84 years (80-95). A geriatric syndrome was present in 26% of patients, 18% had ≥1 grade 4 CIRS-G, and 14% had loss of ADLs. At 49-month median follow-up, 4-year progression-free (PFS) and overall survival (OS) for aggressive NHLs were 31% and 44% respectively (stage I/II: PFS 53% and OS 66%; stage III/IV: PFS 20% and OS 32%; P < 0·0001 and 0·0002, respectively). Four-year PFS and OS for indolent NHL were 44% and 66% respectively, regardless of stage. Multivariate regression analysis identified two key factors that predicted inferior PFS and OS for both NHL groups: lack of CR and loss of ADLs. Prospective studies for very elderly NHL that incorporate geriatric tools, especially ADLs, are warranted.

Clinical, morphologic, immunophenotypic, and molecular cytogenetic assessment of CD4-/CD8-γδ T-cell large granular lymphocytic leukemia

γδ T-cell large granular lymphocytic (T-LGL) leukemia of the CD4-/CD8- subtype is rare, and data are limited in the literature. This study evaluated the clinical, morphologic, immunophenotypic, and molecular cytogenetic features of 7 cases of CD4-/CD8- γδ T-LGL leukemia. Although this variant shares several clinical and morphologic features with the more common T-LGL leukemias, the incidences of autoimmune hemolytic anemia and pure red cell aplasia are higher. Another striking feature observed in our study was the lack of increased large granular lymphocytes in the peripheral blood in the majority of cases despite prominent bone marrow or splenic involvement. CD4-/CD8- γδ T-LGL leukemia also displays an immunophenotype and pattern of splenic involvement overlapping with hepatosplenic T-cell lymphoma. Clinically, this variant of T-LGL leukemia shows an overall indolent course, but treatment is often required in the initial stages of the disease. Awareness of these features is important for early recognition and accurate diagnosis of patients with CD4-/CD8- γδ T-LGL leukemia.

Post-transplantation lymphoproliferative disorders: diagnosis, prognosis, and current approaches to therapy

Post-transplantation lymphoproliferative disorders (PTLD) are a heterogenous group of abnormal lymphoid proliferations that occur after solid organ transplant (SOT) or hematopoietic transplantation. PTLDs consist of a disease spectrum ranging from hyperplasia to aggressive lymphomas with 60-70% being Epstein-Barr virus positive. The majority of cases are B-cell, although 10-15% are of T-cell origin or rarely Hodgkin lymphoma. Recent SOT series suggest PTLD occurs at a median of 36-40 months after transplant. Clinically, extra-nodal disease is common (up to 75-85%) including CNS involvement, which is seen in 10-15% of all cases. Since the first report over 40 years ago, PTLD has remained one of the most morbid complications associated with SOT. However, recent data suggests improved survival in the modern era, especially with the integration of early rituximab-based therapy. These studies utilized first line rituximab (+/- chemotherapy) together with reduced immune suppression (RI) for monomorphic and polymorphic PTLD. It will be critical in future studies to determine which PTLDs are most amenable to initial therapy with RI alone, versus RI/rituximab, versus RI/rituximab/chemotherapy. Additionally, novel therapeutics, such as adoptive immunotherapy, should continue to be explored.

Diffuse large B-cell lymphoma associated with the use of biologic and other investigational agents: the importance of long-term post-marketing safety surveillance

This case report describes a patient who developed diffuse large B-cell lymphoma (DLBCL) after receiving courses of two investigational biologic agents and cyclosporine followed by more than four years of subcutaneous efalizumab for the treatment of extensive chronic plaque psoriasis. Three years later, the patient remains free of lymphoma and his psoriasis is well controlled with thrice-weekly narrow-band ultraviolet phototherapy. This case emphasizes the importance of continued long-term post-marketing safety surveillance and the early reporting of all possible serious side effects, including cancers, related to the use of any newly available product. In particular, surveillance should focus on the immunomodulating biologic agents in order to identify possible dangerous sequelae.