Acquired angioedema as the presenting feature of lymphoproliferative disorders of mature B-lymphocytes

[Acquired angioedema]

Acquired angioedema are rare. They are associated with monoclonal gammapathies of uncertain significance (MGUS) or lymphomas. They give the same symptoms as the hereditary form and the same laryngeal risk. They are characterized by a low level of C4, C1Inh and C1q. They are linked to the consumption of C1Inh by the lymphoid cells or to the presence of anti-C1Inh autoantibodies. They must be treated by symptomatic treatment when attack occur (C1Inh concentrate and icatibant). The use of rituximab needs to prove its efficiency.

Angioedema as the first presentation of B-cell non-Hodgkin lymphoma--an unusual case with normal C1 esterase inhibitor level: a case report

BACKGROUND

Acquired angioedema is a rare but recognized manifestation of lymphoproliferative disorders due to deficiency in C1 esterase inhibitor. Normal level of C1 esterase inhibitor proteins in association with angioedema due to lymphoproliferative disease is a rare and an uncommon finding caused by antibodies produced from the underlying disease. Antibodies cause inactivation of C1 esterase inhibitor, thus resulting in C1 esterase inhibitor dysfunction despite of normal quantity of C1 esterase inhibitor.

CASE PRESENTATION

A 50-year-old Sri Lankan male presented with first episode of angioedema without any family history. Physical examination revealed mild pallor with swelling of tongue, lips and perioral region. On investigations, erythrocyte sedimentation rate was persistently high and bone marrow with immunohistochemistry revealed infiltration with B-cell type low grade non-Hodgkin lymphoma. Computed tomography scan of the chest and abdomen showed paratracheal and subcarinal lymphadenopathy and splenomegaly, with the findings being compatible with lymphoma. He had normal C1 esterase inhibitor protein level with reduced activity and low C1q, C4 levels indicating antibodies against C1 esterase inhibitor causing dysfunctional C1 esterase inhibitor.

CONCLUSION

Adult onset angioedema should prompt physicians to suspect underlying lymphoproliferative disorder despite of C1 esterase inhibitor protein level being normal. Though uncommon, presence of antibodies against C1 esterase inhibitor secondary to lymphoproliferative disorder should be considered in the presence of normal C1 esterase inhibitor protein levels with low functional capacity in the background of acquired angioedema.

Chronic lymphocytic leukemia and autoimmunity: a systematic review

Chronic lymphocytic leukemia is frequently associated with immune disturbances. The relationship between chronic lymphocytic leukemia and autoimmune cytopenias, particularly autoimmune hemolytic anemia and immune thrombocytopenia, is well established. The responsible mechanisms, particularly the role of leukemic cells in orchestrating the production of polyclonal autoantibodies, are increasingly well understood. Recent studies show that autoimmune cytopenia is not necessarily associated with poor prognosis. On the contrary, patients with anemia or thrombocytopenia due to immune mechanisms have a better outcome than those in whom these features are due to bone marrow infiltration by the disease. Moreover, fears about the risk of autoimmune hemolysis following single agent fludarabine may no longer be appropriate in the age of chemo-immunotherapy regimens. However, treatment of patients with active hemolysis may pose important problems needing an individualized and clinically sound approach. The concept that autoimmune cytopenia may precede the leukemia should be revisited in the light of recent data showing that autoimmune cytopenia may be observed in monoclonal B-cell lymphocytosis, a condition that can only be detected by using sensitive flow cytometry techniques. On the other hand, there is no evidence of an increased risk of non-hemic autoimmune disorders in chronic lymphocytic leukemia. Likewise, there is no epidemiological proof of an increased risk of chronic lymphocytic leukemia in patients with non-hemic autoimmunity. Finally, since immune disorders are an important part of chronic lymphocytic leukemia, studies aimed at revealing the mechanisms linking the neoplastic and the immune components of the disease should help our understanding of this form of leukemia.

Acquired deficiency of the inhibitor of the first complement component: presentation, diagnosis, course, and conventional management

Acquired deficiency of the inhibitor of the first complement component (C1-INH) is a rare, potentially life-threatening disease whose cause, course, and management are not completely defined. This article analyzes the etiopathogenetic mechanism, the clinical presentation, and the relationship between acquired C1-INH deficiency and lymphoproliferative disorders. Moreover, the authors give an overview of the outcome of the disease and the different therapies proposed to cure it.

Lymphoma-associated paraneoplastic angioedema with normal C1-inhibitor activity: does danazol work?

A patient with splenic marginal zone lymphoma presented with severe, symptomatic acquired angioedema. Unlike previously reported cases, his serum levels of complement and C1 inhibitor (C1-INH) were not decreased. Nonetheless, he responded clinically to treatment with an attenuated androgen and, after therapeutic splenectomy, has been maintained asymptomatic without androgen therapy for 5 years. Thus stimulation of C1-INH synthesis may overcome paraneoplastic angioedema in patients with lymphoproliferative disorders despite the absence of typical evidence for a quantitative or qualitative defect in C1-INH. Androgens should not be withheld despite a normal level of C1-INH and complement in symptomatic patients.

Paraneoplastic manifestations of lymphoma

Paraneoplastic syndromes are manifestations of malignancies that have produced effects that are distant from the primary tumor or metastases. Paraneoplastic syndromes are not caused by local effects of compression or infiltration into tissues, but are generally due to ectopic hormone production, autoimmune phenomena, or overproduction of cytokines. Paraneoplasia may be the presenting symptom of underlying malignancy and can affect almost any organ system, such as the neurologic syndromes associated with small-cell lung cancer or hypercalcemia associated with squamous cell carcinomas. Lymphoproliferative disorders are also associated with many paraneoplastic disorders; however, to date, most published information has been in the form of case reports and series of small numbers of patients. In this review, the most common paraneoplastic syndromes associated with non-Hodgkin's lymphoma and Hodgkin's disease will be discussed.

Hereditary and acquired angioedema: problems and progress: proceedings of the third C1 esterase inhibitor deficiency workshop and beyond

Hereditary angioedema (HAE), a rare but life-threatening condition, manifests as acute attacks of facial, laryngeal, genital, or peripheral swelling or abdominal pain secondary to intra-abdominal edema. Resulting from mutations affecting C1 esterase inhibitor (C1-INH), inhibitor of the first complement system component, attacks are not histamine-mediated and do not respond to antihistamines or corticosteroids. Low awareness and resemblance to other disorders often delay diagnosis; despite availability of C1-INH replacement in some countries, no approved, safe acute attack therapy exists in the United States. The biennial C1 Esterase Inhibitor Deficiency Workshops resulted from a European initiative for better knowledge and treatment of HAE and related diseases. This supplement contains work presented at the third workshop and expanded content toward a definitive picture of angioedema in the absence of allergy. Most notably, it includes cumulative genetic investigations; multinational laboratory diagnosis recommendations; current pathogenesis hypotheses; suggested prophylaxis and acute attack treatment, including home treatment; future treatment options; and analysis of patient subpopulations, including pediatric patients and patients whose angioedema worsened during pregnancy or hormone administration. Causes and management of acquired angioedema and a new type of angioedema with normal C1-INH are also discussed. Collaborative patient and physician efforts, crucial in rare diseases, are emphasized. This supplement seeks to raise awareness and aid diagnosis of HAE, optimize treatment for all patients, and provide a platform for further research in this rare, partially understood disorder.

Déficit acquis en C1 inhibiteur associé à un syndrome lymphoprolifératif : quatre observations

INTRODUCTION

Acquired C1 inhibitor deficiency is sometimes associated with lymphoproliferative disorders.

EXEGESIS

We report four cases of acquired C1 inhibitor deficiency in association with lymphoproliferative disorders. Three of them were asymptomatic; one was associated with abdominal pain. Four women (median age, 66 years) presented either two non-Hodgkin lymphoma or two chronic lymphocytic leukaemia. C1 inhibitor deficiency was detected fortuitous (n = 1) or during investigation of arthralgia (n = 2), or Gougerot-Sjogren syndrome (n = 1). The deficit was acquired in all cases type I. Auto-immune disorders were associated with: Gougerot-Sjogren syndrome (n = 1), cryoglobulinemia (n = 2), IgM lambda monoclonal gammopathy (n = 1), Coombs positive test (n = 2), IgG anti-cardiolipine antibodies (n = 1). C1 inhibitor deficiency was not modified after lymphoproliferative disorders treatment (radiotherapy, splenic ablation) in two cases but patients were not in complete remission. C1 inhibitor raised normal level in one case, after five chemotherapy regimens, but decreased complement level and C4 split persist.

CONCLUSION

Acquired C1 inhibitor deficiency associated with lymphoproliferative disorders is sometimes asymptomatic. Diagnosis could be delay in spite of clinical manifestations. Deficit correction is not constant after lymphoproliferative disorders treatment.

Autoantibodies and lymphoproliferative diseases in acquired C1-inhibitor deficiencies

Angioedema due to acquired C1-inhibitor (C1-INH) deficiency (also referred to as "acquired angioedema") is a rare, life-threatening disease with poorly defined etiology, therapy, and prognosis. To define the profile of acquired C1-INH deficiency and to facilitate the clinical approach to these patients, we report on 23 patients with acquired C1-INH deficiency followed for up to 24 years (median, 8 yr), and review the literature. We measured C1-INH activity with chromogenic assay and detected autoantibodies to C1-INH by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). Median age at onset of angioedema was 57 years (range, 39-75 yr). All patients had C1-INH function and C4 antigen below 50% of normal. C1q was reduced in 17 patients. Autoantibodies to C1-INH were present in 17 patients. Long-term prophylaxis of attacks with danazol was effective in 2 of 6 patients, and with tranexamic acid, in 12 of 13 patients. Therapy with C1-INH plasma concentrate was necessary in 12 patients: 9 had rapid positive response and 3 became progressively resistant. Associated diseases at the last follow-up were non-Hodgkin lymphomas (3 patients), chronic lymphocytic leukemia (1 patient), breast cancer (1 patient), monoclonal gammopathies of uncertain significance (13 patients). In 4 patients no pathologic condition could be demonstrated. Compared with the general population, patients with acquired C1-INH deficiency present higher risk for B-cell malignancies, but not for progression of monoclonal gammopathies of uncertain significance to malignancy. Antifibrinolytic agents are more effective than attenuated androgens in long-term prophylaxis. Patients with acquired C1-INH deficiency may be resistant to replacement therapy with C1-INH plasma concentrate.

Spontaneous regression of acquired C1 esterase inhibitor deficiency associated with splenic marginal zone lymphoma presenting with recurrent angio-oedema

A 52 year old woman with marginal zone lymphoma developed recurrent episodes of angio-oedema and was found to have C1 esterase inhibitor deficiency. She declined chemotherapy for the lymphoma. Fourteen months after her initial presentation she was found to be in partial remission, and this was confirmed by peripheral blood film and bone marrow examinations. This was associated with normalisation of C1 esterase inhibitor, C1q, and C4 values. Regression of acquired C1 esterase inhibitor deficiency associated with spontaneous partial remission of lymphoma has not been reported previously.

Malignant bladder tumor transurethral resection in a patient with acquired C1 inhibitor deficiency

Acquired C1-INH deficiency or acquired angiodema (AAE) is an uncommon cause of angiedema that can induce severe airway complications during surgical procedures. We present the perioperative management of a patient with AAE secondary to a malignant bladder tumor. Anesthetic guidelines could be useful in the management of this disorder.

[Juvenile dermatomyositis and panniculitis-type subcutaneous T-cell lymphoma. A case report]

INTRODUCTION

Juvenile dermatomyositis does not have, unlike the adult form, a paraneoplastic character.

EXEGESIS

We report the case of a 12-year-old girl who has a typical dermatomyositis complicated by the appearance of very aggressive lesions of lobular panniculitis predominating in the lower limbs. Their refractory character to different treatments (in particular corticosteroids, chloroquine, dapsone, methotrexate, azathioprine, intravenous immunoglobulins and ciclosporin A) will finally lead to the diagnosis of subcutaneous T-cell lymphoma. This will be complicated by a macrophagic activation syndrome leading to death despite chemotherapy.

CONCLUSIONS

The occurrence of panniculitis during a dermatomyositis should lead to the search for a subcutaneous T-cell lymphoma, especially if the lesions are locally aggressive and refractory to usual treatments, which permits an early chemotherapy.

Association of hereditary angioedema and hereditary breast cancer

A family is presented in whom hereditary angioedema (HAE) and hereditary breast cancer were coexistent, an association not previously reported. A potential for genetic and treatment-related interactions between the two conditions exists. The use of the hormonal agent danazol to suppress HAE is unlikely to adversely affect the development or outcome of breast cancer. Surgery, chemotherapy, and radiotherapy were received by affected family members, without triggering edema. Whether hormonal breast cancer treatment affects the suppression of HAE by danazol remains unknown.

Acquired C1-esterase inhibitor deficiency: three case reports and commentary on the syndrome

Acquired C1-esterase inhibitor deficiency is a rare syndrome which usually presents with episodes of angioedema. Most patients have an underlying lymphoproliferative disorder. It is important to gastroenterologists, haematologists, immunologists and dermatologists, as these are the more likely specialties to which the patient will present. Recognition of the syndrome is important not only for diagnostic purposes but for investigating and treating any associated underlying lymphoproliferative disorders. In some instances the angioedema may precede the lymphoma by many years. Optimal patient management requires that both angioedema and the underlying lymphoma be recognized and treated.