Upregulation of innate immune responses in a T cell/histiocyte-rich large B cell lymphoma patient with significant autoimmune disorders mimicking systemic lupus erythematosus

Treatment of Secondary Immune Thrombocytopenia with Non-Hodgkin Lymphoma: A Case Report and Literature Review

Secondary immune thrombocytopenic purpura (ITP) with non-Hodgkin lymphoma (NHL) is a rare disease. Although some treatment regimens are available for primary ITP, the treatment strategy for secondary ITP remains unconfirmed. We herein report a 79-year-old man who was diagnosed with secondary ITP with mantle cell lymphoma. Although intravenous immunoglobulin (IVIG) has been considered an effective option for secondary ITP, similar to the treatment of primary ITP, our patient did not benefit from IVIG. A literature review including the current report revealed that IVIG was ineffective in all treated patients. Secondary ITP with NHL should be treated differently from primary ITP.

Substantial improvement in immune thrombocytopenic purpura associated with T-cell/histiocyte-rich B-cell lymphoma treated with chemotherapy: A case report

Immune thrombocytopenic purpura (ITP) is characterized by antibody and immune platelet destruction, occasionally leading to life-threatening hemorrhage. ITP is a frequent complication of chronic lymphoid leukemia, but is rarely associated with diffuse large B-cell lymphoma (DLBCL). We herein describe a case of ITP associated with T-cell/histiocyte-rich B-cell lymphoma (T/HRBCL), which is a rare variant of DLBCL. A 54-year-old man presented with fever, multiple lymphadenopathies, petechial purpura and intraoral mucosal hemorrhage. Laboratory data revealed thrombocytopenia, normal white blood cell count, mild anemia, no active viral infections, and no autoimmune antibodies. Multiple lymphadenopathies were observed on computed tomography. A bone marrow biopsy revealed minor hypercellularity with increased number of megakaryocytes; however, there were no pathological cells or phagocytic cells. The patient was diagnosed with ITP; concurrently, he was also diagnosed with T/HRBCL via lymph node biopsy, and was treated accordingly with a chemotherapeutic regimen comprising rituximab, cyclophosphamide, doxorubicin, vincristine and prednisolone. Prompt reduction in the size of the superficial lymph nodes and an increase of the platelet count were observed simultaneously. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first report of T/HRBCL complicated by ITP. The findings strongly suggest a causative association between ITP and T/HRBCL.

Curcumin: A natural modulator of immune cells in systemic lupus erythematosus

Curcumin is a polyphenol natural product isolated from turmeric, interacting with different cellular and molecular targets and, consequently, showing a wide range of pharmacological effects. Recent preclinical and clinical trials have revealed immunomodulatory properties of curcumin that arise from its effects on immune cells and mediators involved in the immune response, such as various T-lymphocyte subsets and dendritic cells, as well as different inflammatory cytokines. Systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) is an inflammatory, chronic autoimmune-mediated disease characterized by the presence of autoantibodies, deposition of immune complexes in various organs, recruitment of autoreactive and inflammatory T cells, and excessive levels of plasma proinflammatory cytokines. The function and numbers of dendritic cells and T cell subsets, such as T helper 1 (Th1), Th17, and regulatory T cells have been found to be significantly altered in SLE. In the present report, we reviewed the results of in vitro, experimental (pre-clinical), and clinical studies pertaining to the modulatory effects that curcumin produces on the function and numbers of dendritic cells and T cell subsets, as well as relevant cytokines that participate in SLE.

Predominance of CD4+ T Cells in T-Cell/Histiocyte-Rich Large B-Cell Lymphoma and Identification of a Subset of Patients With Peripheral B-Cell Lymphopenia

OBJECTIVES

T-cell/histiocyte-rich large B-cell lymphoma (THRLBCL) is a morphologic variant of large B-cell lymphoma whose flow cytometry findings are not well characterized.

METHODS

Nineteen cases with flow cytometric immunophenotyping were identified from the case records of four institutions between 2001 and 2016.

RESULTS

In most cases, neoplastic B cells were not detected by flow cytometry. Overall, cases showed a predominance of CD4+ T cells, which in some cases was marked. Significant coexpression of CD57 was seen on CD4+ T cells where this marker was analyzed, which correlated with PD-1 expression. Two cases also showed a profound systemic B-cell lymphopenia, which was associated in one case with hypogammaglobulinemia.

CONCLUSIONS

Overall, our work challenges previous findings that cases of THRLBCL are rich in CD8+ T cells and highlights parallels between THRLBCL and nodular lymphocyte-predominant Hodgkin lymphoma (NLPHL). Also, an association of THRLBCL with systemic B-cell lymphopenia has not been previously reported but may represent an underrecognized manifestation.

Association of Interleukin-10 -3575T>A and -1082A>G polymorphisms with non-Hodgkin lymphoma susceptibility: a comprehensive review and meta-analysis

A number of studies have investigated the associations between IL-10 polymorphisms and non-Hodgkin lymphoma (NHL) susceptibility; however, the conclusions were still contradictory. To acquire a more precise estimation of the association, we performed the current meta-analysis. We systematically searched publications from EMBASE and MEDLINE, and calculated pooled odds ratios (ORs) and 95 % confidence intervals (CIs) using either fixed-effects or random-effects model. Genotype-based IL-10 mRNA expression analysis was performed using online public database of 270 individuals with three different ethnicities. A total of 10,703 cases and 11,823 controls from 10 studies were included for the -3575T>A polymorphism, 10,226 cases and 12,215 controls from 17 studies for the -1082A>G polymorphism. Pooled results indicated that IL-10 -3575T>A was associated with increased risk of diffuse large B cell lymphoma (DLBCL) and follicular lymphoma (FL), especially for Caucasians and hospital-based population. There was no association between IL-10 -1082A>G and NHL risk. However, subgroup analysis showed that IL-10 -1082GG might confer increased susceptibility to FL. In summary, this meta-analysis indicated that -3575T>A polymorphism was associated with altered NHL susceptibility for Caucasians and hospital-based population, especially for DLBCL and FL subtypes. The -1082A>G polymorphism may contribute to increased FL risk. Further large-scale population studies among different ethnicities are needed to validate these results.

Lupus mimickers

Systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) is an autoimmune disease characterized by multisystem organ involvement, heterogeneity of clinical features, and variety in degree of severity. The differential diagnosis is a crucial aspect in SLE as many other autoimmune diseases portray clinical similarities and autoantibody positivity. Lupus mimickers refer to a group of conditions that exhibit both clinical features and laboratory characteristics, including autoantibody profiles that resemble those present in patients with SLE, and prompt a diagnostic challenge in everyday clinical practice. Thus, lupus mimickers may present as a lupus-like condition (i.e., 2 or 3 criteria) or as one meeting the classification criteria for SLE. Herein we review and classify the current literature on lupus mimickers based on diverse etiologies which include infections, malign and benign neoplasms, medications, and vaccine-related reactions.