Cytogenetic and molecular characterization of a patient with simultaneous B-cell chronic lymphocytic leukemia and peripheral T-cell lymphoma

Angioimmunoblastic T-Cell Lymphoma and Chronic Lymphocytic Leukemia/Small Lymphocytic Lymphoma: A Novel Form of Composite Lymphoma Potentially Mimicking Richter Syndrome

Chronic lymphocytic leukemia/small lymphocytic lymphoma (CLL/SLL) is an indolent small B-cell neoplasm that may transform into a clinically aggressive disease, namely Richter syndrome, usually as diffuse large B-cell lymphoma. Besides, CLL/SLL encompasses an increased risk of developing other secondary cancers, including a variety of T-cell lymphomas, often of the anaplastic large-cell type or with a cytotoxic phenotype. Here, we report a small series of patients with composite lymphomas consisting of CLL/SLL and angioimmunoblastic T-cell lymphoma (AITL), a hitherto unrecognized association. The 3 patients (1 male/2 females, 68 to 83 y) presented with high-grade-type symptoms. One patient was clinically suspicious for Richter syndrome, in the others CLL/SLL and AITL were concomitant de novo diagnoses. CLL/SLL and AITL were admixed in the same lymph nodes (3/3 cases) and in the bone marrow (1/2 cases). In all cases, the AITL comprised prominent clear cells with a strong T follicular helper immunophenotype and similar mutations consisting of TET2 or DNMT3A alterations, IDH2 R172K/M, and RHOA G17V. The 3 patients received chemotherapy. One died of early AITL relapse. The other 2 remained in complete remission of AITL, 1 died with recurrent CLL, and 1 of acute myeloid leukemia. These observations expand the spectrum of T-cell lymphoma entities that occur in association with CLL/SLL, adding AITL to the rare variants of aggressive neoplasms manifesting as Richter syndrome. Given that disturbances of T-cell homeostasis in CLL/SLL affect not only cytotoxic but also helper T-cell subsets, these may contribute to the emergence of neoplasms of T follicular helper derivation.

Peripheral T-Cell Lymphoma Arising in Patients With Chronic Lymphocytic Leukemia

OBJECTIVES

To describe three further cases of anaplastic large cell lymphoma (ALCL) occurring in patients with preexisting chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL). We also reviewed the literature of previously published cases.

METHODS

We discuss the clinical features, histopathology, and outcomes for three patients with ALCL and CLL from Perth, Australia. The cases were also included in a literature review of existing cases and comparisons were made with our cohort.

RESULTS

The three patients included two men (aged 77 and 74 years) and one woman (aged 66 years). All had a history of untreated CLL with diagnosis established 4 to 16 years before. They had lymphadenopathy and/or cutaneous/soft tissue lesions that proved to be ALCL, ALK+ (one case) or ALCL, ALK- (two cases).

CONCLUSIONS

Further research is required in this area to establish prognostic and management recommendations. Increasing numbers of cases are being described. Positron emission tomography with computed tomography was not useful in our cohort for diagnosing progression.

Peripheral T-Cell Lymphoma of the Submandibular Salivary Gland as an Unusual Manifestation of Richter's Syndrome: A Case Report and Literature Review

Richter's syndrome is the development of high-grade non-Hodgkin lymphoma (NHL) or Hodgkin lymphoma in patients with chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL)/small lymphocytic lymphoma (SLL). In most patients with Richter's syndrome, the high-grade NHL is diffuse large B-cell lymphoma. Only a small minority of CLL/SLL patients develop T-cell malignancies. Herein, we describe a 40-year-old male patient presenting with peripheral T-cell lymphoma not otherwise specified (PTCL-NOS) in the submandibular salivary gland, two years after the diagnosis of CLL/SLL. The PTCL-NOS consisted of small lymphocytes, which complicated diagnosis. Immunohistochemical, cytological, and molecular studies allowed the correct diagnosis of composite lymphoma (SLL/PTCL-NOS) of the submandibular salivary gland. The PTCL-NOS had a cytotoxic phenotype and aberrant expression of CD79a. There was no evidence to suggest that the PTCL-NOS of the submandibular salivary gland developed from an intimately associated submandibular lymph node or by PTCL-NOS dissemination. A review of the literature and presented case suppose that the PTCLs developed following CLL/SLL have the cytotoxic phenotype and can clinically mimic typical Richter's syndrome.

Peripheral T-cell lymphomas with cytotoxic phenotype in patients with chronic lymphocytic leukemia/small lymphocytic lymphoma

Chronic lymphocytic leukemia/small lymphocytic lymphoma (CLL/SLL) is relatively common, and patients occasionally develop other neoplasms; however, patients who develop other types of lymphomas are rare. We encountered 3 patients with CLL/SLL (one 59-y-old man and 2 women aged 56 and 66 y) who developed T-cell lymphomas. Both women developed ALK anaplastic large cell lymphomas (ALCLs), whereas the man developed CD8 peripheral T-cell lymphoma, not otherwise specified. All 3 T-cell lymphomas expressed granzyme B and perforin, indicating a cytotoxic immunophenotype. In 1 case, the first presentation was a lymph nodal composite lymphoma. In the other 2 cases, the T-cell lymphomas arose <1 year after the diagnosis of CLL/SLL and were identified in a lymph node in one case and in the spleen in the other. The patient with a composite lymphoma (SLL/ALK ALCL) was treated and was free of disease at last follow-up, whereas the other 2 patients succumbed to their disease, 1 month and 7 months after the diagnosis of T-cell lymphoma. Peripheral T-cell lymphomas rarely occur in CLL/SLL patients. On the basis of our small series, those with a cytotoxic phenotype appear to be more common in this setting. The occurrence of ALK ALCL in 2 older patients was especially surprising and suggested that CLL/SLL may have played a role in the development of ALCL.

Composite peripheral T-cell lymphoma not otherwise specified, and B-cell small lymphocytic lymphoma presenting with hemophagocytic lymphohistiocytosis

We report a case of a 68-year-old female patient who developed hemophagocytic lymphohistiocytosis (HLH) secondary to peripheral T-cell lymphoma (PTCL) not otherwise specified (NOS) that developed in the setting of treatment-resistant B-cell small lymphocytic lymphoma/chronic lymphocytic leukemia (SLL/CLL). The patient's B-cell lymphoma had a good initial response to chemotherapy for 4 years, after which it became less responsive and was thought to have undergone transition to a higher-grade lymphoma. Different regimens of chemoradiotherapy were then tried with modest response until the patient presented 3 years later with signs and symptoms of HLH. The patient died 1 month later, and an autopsy was performed. Significant para-aortic lymphadenopathy and splenomegaly were found. Microscopic, immunohistochemical and molecular evaluations confirmed the presence of composite B-cell and T-cell lymphoma in the para-aortic enlarged lymph nodes. Bone marrow examination showed hemophagocytosis, and the liver demonstrated infiltration by activated macrophages with hepatocellular necrosis. This report highlights the importance of searching for a possible underlying T-cell lymphoma in light of HLH. Different theories have been proposed to explain the rare occurrence of concurrent B- and T-cell lymphomas, but the development of HLH in this patient highlights the importance of immune dysregulation as a proposed mechanism to explain some cases of composite lymphomas. A review of the literature and discussion of the relative merits of these hypotheses are presented in the context of this case.

Peripheral T-Cell lymphoma manifested as gingival enlargement in a patient with chronic lymphocytic leukemia

Chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL) is the most common form of leukemia in adults and is associated with increased risk of malignancy. T-cell lymphoma associated with CLL has never been reported. The case report presents a unique case of peripheral T-cell lymphoma on the gingiva of a patient with CLL. A 66-year-old man with a history of CLL was referred to the Mayo Clinic, Department of Dental Specialties, for evaluation of swelling in the upper left posterior sextant. An intraoral examination revealed a soft tissue swelling in the area of teeth number 13 and 15, including the present edentulous ridge between number 13 and 15. An incisional biopsy was performed on the palatal aspect of tooth No. 15 and submitted for histologic evaluation. The histopathology revealed proliferation of large atypical cells beneath the epithelium, positive for antigens CD2, CD3, Beta-F1, TIA-1, and Granzyme B consistent for a diagnosis of a peripheral T-cell lymphoma. A team approach including the hematologist, general dentist and periodontist resulted in timely referrals leading to an early diagnosis and early intervention and treatment.

ALK-Positive Anaplastic Large Cell Lymphoma in a Patient With Chronic Lymphocytic Leukemia

This article reports the case of a 59-year-old patient with an 8-year history of chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL), prostate carcinoma, and squamous cell carcinoma who developed an ALK-positive anaplastic large cell lymphoma (ALCL). Lymph node and bone marrow biopsies showed 2 distinct morphologic populations: ( a) the CLL component showing a diffuse monomorphous infiltrate of small lymphocytes with the typical immunophenotype showing positive CD20, CD5, CD23, and κ light chain restriction and ( b) the ALCL component showing large anaplastic pleomorphic cells positive for CD30, CD45, ALK, CD45Ro, CD4, and vimentin. Polymerase chain reaction performed on the lymph node for immunoglobulin heavy chain and T-cell receptor γ and β showed gene rearrangements after macrodissection of morphologically distinct populations, indicating confirmed genetically distinct populations. Despite intensive chemotherapy, the patient died. This case represents the rare occurrence of an ALK-positive ALCL developing in a patient with CLL.

Enteropathy-type T-cell Lymphoma After Intestinal Diffuse Large B-cell Lymphoma

A rare case of enteropathy-type T-cell lymphoma (ETL) developed in a 47-year-old Chinese male 6 years after the diagnosis of diffuse large B-cell lymphoma (DLBCL) in the small intestine. The patient initially presented with vague gastrointestinal complaints. Work-up demonstrated an ulcerated mass in the small intestine. Partial resection and histologic examination of the intestine showed a DLBCL, positive for CD20 and Bcl-2, involving the jejunum transmurally. Further staging work-up demonstrated mesenteric and retroperitoneal lymphadenopathy, splenomegaly, and ascites. The patient was treated aggressively with radiotherapy, chemotherapy, and autologous bone marrow transplant, and complete remission was obtained. Six years later, the patient presented with diarrhea and dehydration. Clinical work-up revealed thickening of the small intestinal wall, and biopsies demonstrated ETL based on morphology, immunohistochemistry, and polymerase chain reaction analysis. Celiac disease was diagnosed concurrently. The patient responded to chemotherapy, received allogeneic peripheral blood stem cell transplantation from an HLA-matched sibling donor, and remains in remission. To our best knowledge, this is the first reported case of metachronous ETL and DLBCL. Possible associations between the 2 types of lymphoma are discussed.

Hepatic cytotoxic T-cell infiltrates in patients with peripheral T-cell proliferative diseases/lymphomas: Clinicopathological and molecular analysis

Seventy patients with various types of peripheral T-cell proliferative disease/lymphoma who manifested with prolonged fever, weight loss, anemia, lymphadenopathy, hepatosplenomegaly and elevated serum levels of alkaline phosphatase and/or lactate dehydrogenase were evaluated. Histopathological examination of the livers revealed T-cell infiltration into the hepatic sinusoids and portal tracts. The morphology of the infiltrated T cells varied from mature small lymphocytes to malignant lymphoid cells. The liver pathology was classified into four groups on the basis of cellular atypia. Group A and group B showed mature lymphoid cell infiltration; however, only group B had multiple large areas of hepatocellular necrosis. Group C showed atypical lymphoid cell infiltration and in group D malignant lymphoid cell infiltrates were demonstrated. The majority of the antigenic phenotypes of these T-cell infiltrates were CD3+, CD4-, CD8+, CD20-, CD45RO+, CD56-, CD57-, TIA-1+ and betaF1-. Epstein-Barr virus RNA in the nuclei of the infiltrated T cells was recorded in 38.6% of the patients and was more common in groups C and D. Patients in groups B, C and D had a very poor prognosis, median survival was only 1 month, whereas median survival in group A patients was 36 months. Chemotherapy was not effective in improving survival. Monoclonal band/s of T-cell receptors (TCR) beta and/or gamma gene rearrangements were detected in 88.6% of patients, and DNA-sequence analysis showed high identity to the human TCR germline gene.

Clonal T-cell Populations and Increased Risk for Cytotoxic T-cell Lymphomas in B-CLL Patients

Chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL) is associated with increased risk of malignancy, but the occurrence of other lymphomas, in particular T-cell lymphomas, is rare. We identified 7 cases of peripheral T-cell malignancy associated with B-cell-derived CLL from the files of two institutions over a 20-year period. The presence of both B and T lymphoproliferative disorders was confirmed in all cases by immunophenotype and in 6 cases by gene rearrangements. Six patients developed peripheral T-cell lymphoma (PTCL), unspecified, during the course of CLL (10-168 months). In all 5 evaluable cases, the cells had a cytotoxic T-cell phenotype; the sixth case was CD56+, but TIA-1 and Granzyme B could not be studied. A seventh patient with CLL developed mycosis fungoides, and an aggressive NK cell leukemia. To investigate possible risk factors for the development of PTCL, we screened 100 unselected peripheral blood samples from newly diagnosed CLL patients by PCR for the presence of clonal T cell populations. We found evidence of clonal T-cell expansion in 8 patients and increased lymphocytes with large granular lymphocyte morphology in 7 of 8 cases. The immunophenotype was assessed by multicolor flow cytometry and in 4 cases the T-cell expansion was composed of either CD3+/CD8+ or CD3+/CD4-/CD8- cells. The cytotoxic nature of the clonal T-cell expansions in the peripheral blood correlates with the cytotoxic nature of the PTCLs, but their role in the subsequent development of T-cell lymphomas is still unclear. PTCL following CLL should be distinguished from typical Richter syndrome, which it can mimic clinically.