Langerhans cell histiocytosis: A great imitator

Pediatric Dermatitis Seborrhoica - A Clinical and Therapeutic Review

Pediatric dermatitis seborrhoica (DS) is a common inflammatory disorder of infancy and adolescence distinct from atopic dermatitis. We performed a narrative review on clinical and therapeutic aspects of the disease. The prevalence varies geographically and can reach up to 10%. There is a slight male predominance. Although etiopathology is not well known, both endogenous and exogenous factors contribute. Skin microbiome and its interaction with sebaceous gland function is crucial. The inflammatory pathways include innate immune function and skin barrier disturbances. Malassezia spp. and certain bacteria are increased in lesional skin. DS develops in different clinical subtypes, from localized cephalic to disseminated disease with a risk of erythroderma and eczema herpeticatum. Treatment consists of skin care and topical and rarely systemic medical therapy. Cornerstones of treatment are antifungals and mild corticosteroids. Targeted treatment is on the horizon. Pediatric DS is a common disorder important in the differential diagnosis of skin problems in infants and and children. Due to better understanding of its pathogenesis, new treatment options are developed.

Dermatologic manifestations of hematologic disorders

Distinguishing key morphologic features and understanding the pathophysiology of common cutaneous manifestations of hematologic disorders is essential to ensure prompt and appropriate treatment. In fact, classic cutaneous signs may provide the first clue to the diagnosis of an underlying hematologic disease. Disorders of coagulation, vascular abnormalities, or cutaneous infiltration and deposition are responsible for the underlying pathophysiology of cutaneous manifestations in the majority of cases. Hematologists often feel ill-equipped in identifying morphologic changes in the skin. Thus, the purpose of this review is to provide a comprehensive overview of classic cutaneous manifestations and diagnostic considerations of the associated hematologic conditions. Though there is a specific focus on non-malignant disorders, those straddling the spectrum of malignancy are also discussed. In many disease states, the skin may serve as an important marker of an emerging hematologic disorder, so close collaboration and multidisciplinary input remain essential to provide optimal and timely care for these patients.

DNA double-strand break-capturing nuclear envelope tubules drive DNA repair

Current models suggest that DNA double-strand breaks (DSBs) can move to the nuclear periphery for repair. It is unclear to what extent human DSBs display such repositioning. Here we show that the human nuclear envelope localizes to DSBs in a manner depending on DNA damage response (DDR) kinases and cytoplasmic microtubules acetylated by α-tubulin acetyltransferase-1 (ATAT1). These factors collaborate with the linker of nucleoskeleton and cytoskeleton complex (LINC), nuclear pore complex (NPC) protein NUP153, nuclear lamina and kinesins KIF5B and KIF13B to generate DSB-capturing nuclear envelope tubules (dsbNETs). dsbNETs are partly supported by nuclear actin filaments and the circadian factor PER1 and reversed by kinesin KIFC3. Although dsbNETs promote repair and survival, they are also co-opted during poly(ADP-ribose) polymerase (PARP) inhibition to restrain BRCA1-deficient breast cancer cells and are hyper-induced in cells expressing the aging-linked lamin A mutant progerin. In summary, our results advance understanding of nuclear structure-function relationships, uncover a nuclear-cytoplasmic DDR and identify dsbNETs as critical factors in genome organization and stability.

Serum levels of soluble interleukin 2 receptor (sIL-2R), tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-α), and immunoglobulin M are correlated with the disease extent in childhood Langerhans cell histiocytosis

PURPOSE

This study aimed to identify peripheral parameters associated with the severity of Langerhans cell histiocytosis (LCH) and to look for indicators associated with improvement in LCH patients with risk-organ involvement.

METHODS

This study enrolled LCH patients who were assessed as active disease-better (AD-B) after treatment. Patients were divided into the single system (SS) group, multisystem disease without risk-organ involvement (RO- MS) group, and multisystem disease with risk-organ involvement (RO + MS) group. Serum cytokines, immunoglobulins, and lymphocyte subsets were measured at admission for all three groups. Changes in these indicators after treatment were also analyzed.

RESULTS

From January 2015 to January 2022, a total of 46 patients were recruited in the present study, including 19 patients (41.3%) in the SS group, 16 patients (34.8%) in the RO- MS group, and 11 patients (23.9%) in the RO + MS group. Serum levels of soluble interleukin 2 receptor (sIL-2R) (> 912.5 U/mL), tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-α) (> 20.3 pg/mL), and immunoglobulin M (< 1.12 g/L) were found to be effective in identifying patients in the RO + MS group. Furthermore, the levels of sIL-2R (SS vs RO + MS: P = 0.002, RO- MS vs RO + MS: P = 0.018) and CD8 + T-cell count (SS vs RO + MS: P = 0.028) significantly declined in the RO + MS group after treatment, indicating disease improvement.

CONCLUSIONS

The levels of sIL-2R and TNF-α were positively correlated with the extent of disease, while the levels of IgM were negatively correlated with the extent of disease. Additionally, the levels of sIL-2R and CD8 + T-cell count could serve as useful indicators to evaluate the treatment response in RO + MS-LCH patients.

Langerhans cell histiocytosis in adolescent patients: a single-centre retrospective study

Background

Langerhans cell histiocytosis (LCH) is a myeloid dendritic cell disorder frequently affecting children more than adults. The presentation of LCH varies with age, however, the clinical characteristics and genetic profiles of adolescent LCH remain elusive. To address the knowledge gap, we performed a single-centre retrospective study of 36 adolescent LCH patients aged between 14 and 17 years at Peking Union Medical College Hospital.

Results

At the time of diagnosis, 10 patients were classified as unifocal single system LCH (27.8%), 2 patients had pulmonary single system LCH (5.6%), 5 patients had multifocal single system LCH with bone involvement (13.9%), and 19 patients had multisystem LCH (52.8%). The most prevalent involvement in multisystem patients was the pituitary gland (78.9%), followed by the bone (42.1%), lung (42.1%), and lymph nodes (42.1%). Eight (42.1%) patients had risk organ involvement. BRAF^N486_P490 was detected in 50% of patients who underwent next generation sequencing, and BRAF^V600E was detected in one patient. Chemotherapies were the first line treatment in 24 patients. One patient died and thirteen patients relapsed during the follow-up. The estimated 5-year OS rate and EFS rate were 94.7% and 59.0%, respectively.

Conclusions

In this study, we report a large series of adolescent LCH patients. The clinical characteristics of adolescent LCH patients may be close to adult LCH. Compared with pediatric cases, adolescent LCH tends to have more pituitary lesions and pulmonary involvement, fewer skin and hematopoietic involvement, a higher frequency of BRAF deletion mutation, and a lower frequency of BRAF^V600E mutation.

Supplementary Information

The online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1186/s13023-022-02436-0.

Nonlymphoid Hematopoietic Diseases Presenting in Bone, Soft Tissue, and Other Extranodal Sites

Context.—

Although rare in everyday practice, the initial presentation of hematopoietic neoplasms other than lymphoma in the musculoskeletal system and other extranodal sites can generate challenging diagnostic problems for surgical pathologists.

Objective.—

To review the morphologic and immunophenotypic features of various nonlymphoid hematopoietic diseases presenting at extranodal sites, with emphasis on the inherent diagnostic pitfalls and differential diagnoses of these entities to aid surgical pathologists in their accurate recognition.

Data Sources.—

Cases reviewed herein represent both in-house and consult cases seen at our institution between 2010 and 2021.

Conclusions.—

Entities that present in this way include myeloid neoplasms and histiocytic/dendritic cell neoplasms. These tumors commonly cause nonspecific symptoms, and their histologic appearance can overlap with a variety of benign neoplasms and reactive processes. This can lead to delay in diagnosis and intervention with potentially lifesaving therapy; thus, accurate and expedient recognition is of paramount importance.