Recognizing Unusual Manifestations of Hodgkin Lymphoma

Hodgkin Lymphoma: A disease shaped by the tumor micro- and macroenvironment

The tumor microenvironment (TMicroE) and tumor macroenvironment (TMacroE) are defining features of classical Hodgkin lymphoma (cHL). They are of critical importance to clinicians since they explain the common signs and symptoms, allow us to classify these neoplasms, develop prognostic and predictive biomarkers, bioimaging and novel treatments. The TMicroE is defined by effects of cancer cells to their immediate surrounding and within the tumor. Effects of cancer cells at a distance or outside of the tumor define the TMacroE. Paraneoplastic syndromes are signs and symptoms due to effects of cancer at a distance or the TMacroE, which are not due to direct cancer cell infiltration. The most common paraneoplastic symptoms are B-symptoms, which manifest as fevers, chills, drenching night sweats, and/or weight loss. Less common paraneoplastic syndromes include those that affect the central nervous system, skin, kidney, and hematological autoimmune phenomena including hemophagocytic lymphohistiocytosis (HLH). Paraneoplastic signs such as leukocytosis, lymphopenia, anemia, and hypoalbuminemia are prognostic biomarkers. The neoplastic cells in cHL are the Hodgkin and Reed Sternberg (HRS) cells, which are preapoptotic germinal center B cells with a high mutational burden and almost universal genetic alterations at the 9p24.1 locus primarily through copy gain and amplification with strong activation of signaling via PD-L1, JAK-STAT, NFkB, and c-MYC. In the majority of cases of cHL over 95% of the tumor cells are non-neoplastic. In the TMicroE, HRS cells recruit and mold non-neoplastic cells vigorously via extracellular vesicles, chemokines, cytokines and growth factors such as CCL5, CCL17, IL6, and TGF-β to promote a feed-forward inflammatory loop, which drives cancer aggressiveness and anti-cancer immune evasion. Novel single cell profiling techniques provide critical information on the role in cHL of monocytes-macrophages, neutrophils, T helper, Tregs, cytotoxic CD8+ T cells, eosinophils, mast cells and fibroblasts. Here, we summarize the effects of EBV on the TMicroE and TMacroE. In addition, how the metabolism of the TMicroE of cHL affects bioimaging and contributes to cancer aggressiveness is reviewed. Finally, we discuss how the TMicroE is being leveraged for risk adapted treatment strategies based on bioimaging results and novel immune therapies. In sum, it is clear that we cannot effectively manage patients with cHL without understanding the TMicroE and TMacroE and its clinical importance is expected to continue to grow rapidly.

Hodgkin Lymphoma Associated Retinopathy: Report of a Case

PURPOSE

To report a case of Hodgkin lymphoma (HL) associated retinopathy.

METHOD

Single-case, retrospective review of ophthalmological and systemic manifestations.

RESULTS

A bilateral panuveitis in a 17-year-old Caucasian woman led to the diagnosis of HL. The ocular findings were characterized by anterior uveitis, vitritis, white chorioretinal lesions, papillitis and vasculitis. The diagnosis of nodular sclerosis stage IIA HL was confirmed by a cervical ganglion biopsy. Other causes of uveitis were excluded. The remission of HL was obtained by chemotherapy and the ocular lesions became quiescent, with pigmented chorioretinal scars, predominating along retinal vessels. Recurring visual symptoms one year later led to the diagnosis of the relapse of the HL. The remission of the HL was again obtained by a second line of chemotherapy while ocular symptoms subsided.

CONCLUSIONS

Hodgkin lymphoma may be added to the list of diseases that can occasionally be revealed by ocular paraneoplastic syndromes.

A CASE OF CHORIORETINOPATHY AS FIRST MANIFESTATION OF HODGKIN'S LYMPHOMA

PURPOSE

To report a case of chorioretinopathy, which preceded diagnosis of Hodgkin's lymphoma.

METHODS

Single patient case report.

RESULTS

A 61-year-old woman with a history of breast cancer in remission and low-grade follicular lymphoma without criteria of high tumor burden presented with bilateral multifocal chorioretinopathy. The usual etiologies of chorioretinopathy were excluded, and subsequent onset of fever and back pain revealed the diagnosis of Hodgkin's lymphoma. The evolution of this case of ocular involvement was concordant with that of Hodgkin's lymphoma.

CONCLUSION

The authors describe a case of Hodgkin's lymphoma postdating the onset of chorioretinopathy, emphasizing the need to research an underlying disorder when faced with any inflammatory intraocular disease, and the role of indocyanine green angiography in the diagnosis and follow-up of posterior uveitis.