A novel five-way translocation, t(3;9;13;8;14)(q27;p13;q32;q24;q32), with concurrent MYC and BCL6 rearrangements in a primary bone marrow B-cell lymphoma

Aggressive Diffuse Intermediate Size B-Cell Lymphoma With P53 Mutation Presented as Primary Bone Marrow Lymphoma

Primary bone marrow lymphoma (PBML) is a disease entity in which lymphoma primarily originates in the bone marrow without signs of involvement of lymph nodes, spleen, liver, or any other organs, and excludes leukemia/lymphoma. PBML has been a rare presentation of malignant lymphoma, and most of the cases have a poor prognosis and require rapid diagnoses and treatments. Among all PBMLs, diffuse large B-cell lymphoma (DLBCL) is the most common pathological subtype. Over 25 years and from 7 institutions, the International Extranodal Lymphoma Study Group retrospectively collected PBML cases and, in 2012, published these 21 cases, including 19 cases of B-cell lymphoma and 2 cases of peripheral T-cell lymphoma. Among the B-cell types, DLBCL accounted for 79% and follicular lymphoma (FL) for 21%. DLBCLs were characterized by the existence of large cells. In this article, we present a rare case of high-grade aggressive type with P53 mutation, intermediate-sized B-cell lymphoma, excluded FL by the absence of FL lymphoma markers, presented as PBML. Our patient had rapid progression and succumbed to the disease shortly after diagnosis. Upon literature review, 62 B-cell lymphoma cases were identified that presented as PBML (51 high-grade and 11 low-grade)—mostly case reports. Among these, only one case was reported as intermediate-sized DLBCL-like lymphoma but not with aggressive features. Our case represents the first case of aggressive intermediate-sized lymphoma, not a FL, with P53 mutation, highly elevated lactate dehydrogenase, and Ki-67 presented as PBML. Such a profile would need to be quickly recognized and aggressive treatment applied, such as CART (chimeric antigen receptor T-cells) therapy or DA-EPOCH-R (dose-adjusted EPOCH [etoposide-prednisone-oncovin-cyclophosphamide-hydroxydaunorubicin] and rituximab) with or without venetoclax.

Gamma-delta t-cell lymphomas

Gamma-delta T-cell lymphomas are aggressive and rare diseases originating from gamma-delta lymphocytes. These cells, which naturally play a role in the innate, non-specific immune response, develop from thymic precursor in the bone marrow, lack the major histocompatibility complex restrictions and can be divided into two subpopulations: Vdelta1, mostly represented in the intestine, and Vdelta2, prevalently located in the skin, tonsils and lymph nodes. Chronic immunosuppression such as in solid organ transplanted subjects and prolonged antigenic exposure are probably the strongest risk factors for the triggering of lymphomagenesis. Two entities are recognised by the 2008 WHO Classification: hepatosplenic gamma-delta T-cell lymphoma (HSGDTL) and primary cutaneous gamma-delta T-cell lymphoma (PCGDTL). The former is more common among young males, presenting with B symptoms, splenomegaly and thrombocytopenia, usually with the absence of nodal involvement. Natural behaviour of HSGDTL is characterised by low response rates, poor treatment tolerability, common early progression of disease and disappointing survival figures. PCGDTL accounts for <1% of all primary cutaneous lymphomas, occurring in adults with relevant comorbidities. Cutaneous lesions may vary, but its clinical behaviour is usually aggressive and long-term survival is anecdotal. Available literature on gamma-delta T-cell lymphomas is fractioned, mostly consisting of case reports or small cumulative series. Therefore, clinical suspicion and diagnosis are usually delayed, and therapeutic management remains to be established. This review critically analyses available evidence on diagnosis, staging and behaviour of gamma-delta T-cell lymphomas, provides recommendations for therapeutic management in routine practice and discusses relevant unmet clinical needs for future studies.

MicroRNAs and Glucocorticoid-Induced Apoptosis in Lymphoid Malignancies

The initial response of lymphoid malignancies to glucocorticoids (GCs) is a critical parameter predicting successful treatment. Although being known as a strong inducer of apoptosis in lymphoid cells for almost a century, the signaling pathways regulating the susceptibility of the cells to GCs are only partly revealed. There is still a need to develop clinical tests that can predict the outcome of GC therapy. In this paper, I discuss important parameters modulating the pro-apoptotic effects of GCs, with a specific emphasis on the microRNA world comprised of small players with big impacts. The journey through the multifaceted complexity of GC-induced apoptosis brings forth explanations for the differential treatment response and raises potential strategies for overcoming drug resistance.