Rituximab alone was effective for the treatment of a diffuse large B-cell lymphoma associated with hemophagocytic syndrome

Hemophagocytic lymphohistiocytosis after solid organ transplantation: A challenge for clinicians

Hemophagocytic lymphohistiocytosis (HLH) is a rare inflammatory disorder with a high mortality rate and a wide range of symptoms. Solid organ transplantation, which provides patients with a unique immunosuppressive state, is a less common predisposing factor for HLH. HLH after solid organ transplantation (HLH-SOT) is very rare and fatal. It is hard to diagnose and treat and extremely understudied. The use of immunosuppressants makes the situation of HLH-SOT more complex. This review summarizes the existing literature on HLH after solid organ transplantation and describes its triggers and symptoms, focusing on its diagnosis and treatment. We performed a literature search of case reports, case series, letters to the editor, and clinical quizzes describing patients with HLH after solid organ transplantation (HLH-SOT). We provide recommendations on the diagnosis protocol and treatment strategy based on the existing evidence.

Lymphoma-associated hemophagocytic lymphohistiocytosis (LA-HLH): a scoping review unveils clinical and diagnostic patterns of a lymphoma subgroup with poor prognosis

Hemophagocytic lymphohistiocytosis (HLH) is a severe hyperinflammatory syndrome driven by pathologic activation of cytotoxic T-lymphocytes and macrophages. Despite advances in diagnostics and management, adult patients with lymphoma-associated HLH (LA-HLH) harbor particularly poor prognosis and optimal treatment remains challenging. As systematic data on LA-HLH are scarce, we aimed to synthesize research evidence by thorough analysis of the published literature in PubMed (MEDLINE-database) within the context of a scoping review. Of 595 search results, 132 articles providing information on 542 patients were reviewed and analyzed. Median patient age was 60 years (range, 18-98) with male predominance (62.7%). B- and T-NHL were equally represented (45.6% and 45.2%), Hodgkin's lymphoma was reported in 8.9% of the cases. The majority of patients (91.6%) presented in Ann-Arbor-Stages III and IV, and bone marrow infiltration was observed in a significant proportion of patients (61.5%). Soluble CD25 levels were markedly elevated (median 10,000 U/ml), with levels beyond 10,000 U/ml indicating unfavorable prognosis for 30-day and overall survival. 66.8% of the patients died after median 5.1 months. LA-HLH remains a clinical challenge requiring specialized management. Timely diagnosis and appropriate lymphoma-specific treatment are of utmost importance to enhance patient outcomes.

Hemophagocytic lymphohistiocytosis as an onset of diffuse large B‑cell lymphoma: A case report

A 53-year-old male presented with a 1-month history of hyperpyrexia. The clinical manifestations revealed hemophagocytic lymphohistiocytosis (HLH). Although a lymph node biopsy could not be obtained, a bone marrow biopsy revealed the activated B-cell subtype of diffuse large B-cell lymphoma (DLBCL). After being treated with HLH-1994 (dexamethasone and etoposide), a rituximab-containing chemotherapy and target agents involving bortezomib, the patient achieved remission. To understand the molecular profile of patient, next-generation sequencing and MYD88 L265P mutation examinations were performed, and the patient was determined to be positive for the MYD88 L265P mutation. Reports of DLBCL with plasmacytic differentiation and a MYD88 innate immune signal transduction adaptor L265P mutation concurrent with HLH are rare. Early recognition, precise diagnosis and timely therapy are pivotal in improving patient prognosis. Furthermore, molecular profiling enables researchers to develop potential therapies aimed at the activated NF-κB and endoplasmic reticulum stress signaling pathways. The present study highlights this pathogenesis and provides suggestions for further individualized therapeutics.

Advances in immunopathogenesis of macrophage activation syndrome during rheumatic inflammatory diseases: toward new therapeutic targets?

INTRODUCTION

Macrophage activation syndrome (MAS) is a severe, hyperinflammatory life-threatening syndrome, generally complicating different rheumatic diseases. Despite the severity of the disease, little is known about the pathogenic mechanisms and, thus, possible targeted therapies in the management of these patients. Areas covered: In this review, we aimed to update the current pathogenic knowledge of MAS, during rheumatic diseases, focusing mainly on immunologic abnormalities and on new possible therapeutic strategies. Expert commentary: The difficult pathogenic scenario of MAS, in which genetic defects, predisposing diseases, and triggers are mixed together with the high mortality rate, make it difficult to manage these patients. Although most efforts have been focused on investigating the disease in children, in recent years, several studies are trying to elucidate the possible pathogenic mechanism in adult MAS patients. In this context, genetic and immunological studies might lead to advances in the knowledge of pathogenic mechanisms and possible new therapeutic targets. In the future, the results of ongoing clinical trials are awaited in order to improve the management and, thus, the survival of these patients.

An unusual case of primary hepatic lymphoma with dramatic but unsustained response to bendamustine plus rituximab and literature review

Objectives:

Primary hepatic lymphoma is an uncommon cause of hepatic space-occupying lesions.

Methods:

We describe the case of a 73-year-old man with primary hepatic lymphoma, who presented with a low-grade fever and lower limb weakness which had progressed in the past 2 months.

Results:

Abdominal ultrasound and computed tomography showed multiple small hepatic tumors. Echo-guided biopsy of the hepatic tumor demonstrated primary hepatic diffuse large B cell lymphoma. Moreover, bone marrow was uninvolved, but the bone marrow smear disclosed hemophagocytosis, which is uncommon in diffuse large B cell lymphoma. Chemotherapy with bendamustine and rituximab treatment was initiated with a dramatic response: hepatic tumors markedly shrank in size shown by follow-up computed tomography and the patient returned to his normal life. Nevertheless, the response was sustained for only 8 months. Finally, the disease resisted further chemotherapy and this patient died of a severe Klebsiella pneumoniae infection.

Conclusion:

Chemotherapy with bendamustine and rituximab has shown a dramatic, but not durable, response in the present case with old age and multiple comorbidities.

An update on renal involvement in hemophagocytic syndrome (macrophage activation syndrome)

Context: Hemophagocytic syndrome (HPS) is mainly characterized by massive infiltration of bone marrow by activated macrophages and often presents with pancytopenia. Thrombotic microangiopathy (TMA) is also present with thrombocytopenia and renal involvement. Both conditions could coexist with each other and complicate the condition.

Evidence Acquisition: Directory of Open Access Journals (DOAJ), EMBASE, Google Scholar, PubMed, EBSCO, and Web of Science with keywords relevant to; Hemophagocytic syndrome, macrophage activation syndrome, interferon-gamma and thrombotic microangiopathy, have been searched.

Results: Viral infection, rheumatologic disease and malignancies are the main underlying causes for secondary HPS. calcineurin inhibitors and viral infections are also the main underlying causes of TMA in transplant recipients. In this review, we discussed a 39-year-old male who presented with pancytopenia and renal allograft dysfunction. With the diagnosis of HPS induced TMA his renal condition and pancytopenia improved after receiving intravenous immunoglobulin (IVIG) and plasmapheresis therapy.

Conclusions: HPS is an increasingly recognized disorder in the realm of different medical specialties. Renal involvement complicates the clinical picture of the disease, and this condition even is more complex in renal transplant recipients. We should consider the possibility of HPS in any renal transplant recipient with pancytopenia and allograft dysfunction. The combination of HPS with TMA future increases the complexity of the situation.

Alternative therapy for epstein-barr virus related hemophagocytic lymphohistiocytosis

Hemophagocytic lymphohistiocytosis (HLH) is a rapidly fatal condition characterized by excessive immune activation. HLH can occur as a familial or sporadic acquired disorder. Acquired HLH is more frequently found in adults and is commonly secondary to infections, malignancies, or autoimmune diseases. Diagnosing HLH is challenging because of the rare occurrence, variable presentation, and nonspecific findings of this disorder. Diagnosis of HLH can be based on the diagnostic criteria which were used in the HLH-2004 trial. Given the rarity of this disease, protocols for its treatment have developed slowly, and obtaining adequate short-term and long-term control of the disease continues to be a challenge. Conventional induction therapy for HLH is dexamethasone and etoposide (VP-16), followed by or with cyclosporine. Intrathecal methotrexate ± hydrocortisone is given to those with central nervous system disease. We are reporting a patient who was diagnosed with Epstein-Barr virus (EBV) related HLH. He achieved complete remission with rituximab alone. To our knowledge, this is the first case of an adult patient with EBV related HLH who went into remission with rituximab therapy alone, without using the conventional chemotherapy.

Adult haemophagocytic syndrome

Haemophagocytic syndromes (haemophagocytic lymphohistiocytosis) have a wide range of causes, symptoms, and outcomes, but all lead to a hyperinflammatory response and organ damage--mainly reported in paediatric patients, but reports of adult presentation are increasing. Analysis of the genetic and molecular pathophysiology of these syndromes have improved the understanding of the crosstalk between lymphocytes and histiocytes and their regulatoty mechanisms. Clinical presentations with a broad differential diagnosis, and often life-threatening outcome, complicate the management, which might include supportive intensive care, immunosuppressive and biological treatments, or haemopoietic stem cell transplantation. Insufficient knowledge of these syndromes could contribute to poor prognosis. Early diagnosis is essential to initiate appropriate treatment and improve the quality of life and survival of patients with this challenging disorder.

[Complications of systemic cytomegalovirus infection in therapy-resistant Hodgkin's lymphoma]

Cytomegalovirus infection related changes frequently remain masked by local symptoms of tumor invasion or therapeutic side effects in cancer patients. The spectrum of cytomegalovirus manifestations, however, can be highly varied and may contribute to the failure of different organs with fatal outcome. The case of a 29-year-old female patient is presented who obtained polychemotherapy and allogenic stem cell transplantation following the diagnosis of classical Hodgkin's disease. Despite intensified treatment, only partial response could be achieved and the outcome of the disease was death. Postmortem examination revealed regressive lymph node infiltration as well as nodular liver and spleen manifestations of classical Hodgkin's disease. In addition, parenchymal tissues (lung, kidneys, small intestine, liver, pancreas and ovaries) showed the classical morphology of widespread cytomegalovirus infection. Bilateral enlargement of the ovaries was caused by a partially necrotic giant cell proliferation in the subepithelial cortex. CD30-negativity and cytomegalovirus antigen positivity of the large atypical cell infiltrate supported the diagnosis of cytomegalia oophoritis with morphological overlap between cytomegalovirus-infected giant cells and residual Hodgkin-Reed-Sternberg cells. Further to the cytopathic effect in multiple organs, significant hemophagocytosis was also observed in the spleen, liver and bone marrow. In summary, active cytomegalovirus infection may be a major cause of multi-organ failure in the immunosuppressed oncohematological patient. Careful postmortem analysis demonstrated both the activity of the viral infection and the efficacy of the anti-viral treatment, when applied.

Clinical features of 66 lymphoma patients presenting with a fever of unknown origin

OBJECTIVE

To investigate the clinical characteristics, diagnostic approaches, short-term efficacy of treatment and prognosis of lymphoma patients presenting with a fever of unknown origin (FUO).

METHODS

We reviewed the records of 132 patients finally diagnosed with lymphoma in Huashan Hospital, half of whom initially presented with a FUO. The other 66 lymphoma patients without a history of FUO were diagnosed within a month when several patients in the FUO group were also diagnosed.

RESULTS

The patients presenting with a FUO were predominantly young men (71.21%, p=0.35) characterized by a temperature ≥ 39°C (55/66, 83.33%). Compared with the non-FUO group, patients in the FUO group more often had pancytopenia and hypohepatia, 61.54% with hypoalbuminemia (p<0.0001), 15.50% with significantly elevated lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) (p<0.0001), 92.45% with elevated serum β(2) microglobulin (p=0.017), 93.48% with elevated urine β(2) microglobulin (p=0.002) and 30.77% with elevated alkaline phosphatase (p=0.001). Ninety-four percent of the FUO patients had aggressive lymphomas (p=0.012), with a poor performance status (96.97%, p=0.003), stage III/IV disease (96.97%, p<0.0001), night sweats (21.21%, p=0.026), unexplained weight loss (46.97%, p=0.002) and more than one extranodal site involved (65.15%, p=0.002). The patients in the FUO group also showed poor prognoses, and most of them were in the high-intermediate or high risk classification of the disease (96.61%, p<0.0001), with a low complete remission (CR) rate (61.11% vs. 93.75%, p=0.043). Twenty-one (15.91%) of all the patients were diagnosed based on the finding of lesion sites by Positron Emission Tomography/Computed Tomography (PET/CT) scanning, which had not been detected by conventional scans.

CONCLUSION

Lymphoma presenting as FUO has a rapid progression and poor prognosis, and is difficult to diagnose. PET/CT scans can provide complementary information for an etiological diagnosis of a FUO and biopsy examinations are significant to establish an early diagnosis for patients presenting with a FUO.

Pregnancy-induced hemophagocytic lymphohistiocytosis combined with autoimmune hemolytic anemia

Hemophagocytic lymphohistiocytosis (HLH), presenting with fever, cytopenia, liver dysfunction, hepatosplenomegaly, hypertriglyceridemia, and hyperferritinemia, is associated with various etiologies, including infections, collagen vascular diseases, and malignancies. The present report describes a 28-year-old woman who developed HLH combined with autoimmune hemolytic anemia (AIHA) at 23 weeks of gestation. Without response to corticosteroid, the patient completely recovered from both HLH and AIHA after termination of the pregnancy. Pregnancy-induced immune dysregulation and cytokine overproduction in genetically susceptible women may play critical roles in HLH. The differential diagnosis of pregnant women with fever and cytopenia should include HLH. Pregnancy termination should be considered when pregnancy-induced HLH is refractory to medical treatment.

Infections associated with haemophagocytic syndrome

Haemophagocytic syndrome or haemophagocytic lymphohistiocytosis is a rare disease that is often fatal despite treatment. Haemophagocytic syndrome is caused by a dysregulation in natural killer T-cell function, resulting in activation and proliferation of lymphocytes or histiocytes with uncontrolled haemophagocytosis and cytokine overproduction. The syndrome is characterised by fever, hepatosplenomegaly, cytopenias, liver dysfunction, and hyperferritinaemia. Haemophagocytic syndrome can be either primary, with a genetic aetiology, or secondary, associated with malignancies, autoimmune diseases, or infections. Infections associated with haemophagocytic syndrome are most frequently caused by viruses, particularly Epstein-Barr virus (EBV). We present a case of EBV-associated haemophagocytic syndrome in a young adult with no known immunosuppression. We briefly review haemophagocytic syndrome and then discuss its associated infections, particularly EBV and other herpes viruses, HIV, influenza, parvovirus, and hepatitis viruses, as well as bacterial, fungal, and parasitic organisms.