Hemophagocytic lymphohistiocytosis in adults

Lymphoma-associated hemophagocytic syndrome: a retrospective, single-center study of 86 patients

To explore the clinical features, treatment, and prognosis of patients with lymphoma-associated hemophagocytic syndrome (LAHS) in a real-world clinical setting. We retrospectively examined LAHS patients diagnosed at our center between January 2016 and August 2023, focusing primarily on their clinical features, therapeutic approaches, overall response rate (ORR), and overall survival (OS). A combination of univariate and multivariate analyses was conducted to identify potential prognostic factors. A total of 86 patients diagnosed with LAHS were included to evaluate clinical characteristics and prognostic factors. Patients with T/NK cell lymphoma had a higher probability of developing hemophagocytic syndrome (HPS) during the clinical process than those with B cell lymphoma. The median survival time was 55 days for all patients, and 47 and 81 days for the T/NK cell LAHS and B cell LAHS cohorts, respectively (P = 0.025). Among the patients evaluated, the ORR was 42.2%. Patients starting with anti-lymphoma treatment had a better, albeit not significant, ORR than those beginning with anti-HPS treatment. In the univariate analysis, T/NK cell LAHS (P = 0.027), HPS onset at relapse (P = 0.036), higher baseline plasma EBV-DNA levels (> 4,000 copies/mL, P = 0.034), and treatments including cytokine adsorption and ruxolitinib (P < 0.001 and P = 0.017, respectively) were potentially associated with worse OS, while corticosteroid therapy benefited OS. In the multivariate analysis, T/NK cell LAHS (adjusted hazard ratio (aHR) = 2.007), cytokine adsorption therapy (aHR = 4.547), and corticosteroid therapy (aHR = 0.118) were independently associated with mortality. T/NK cell lymphoma was the main cause of LAHS and carried a worse prognosis. Whether anti-lymphoma or anti-HPS treatment should start first still requires prospective studies with larger sample sizes. The key point in controlling HPS is to block the cytokine storm promptly. Corticosteroid therapy is both effective and accessible and should be used early and in sufficient quantities.

Hemophagocytic lymphohistiocytosis caused by herpes simplex virus type 1 in a young adult: a case report with literature review

Hemophagocytic lymphohistiocytosis is a severe hyperinflammatory syndrome that can be potentially life-threatening without appropriate treatment. Although viral infection is the most common trigger of hemophagocytic lymphohistiocytosis, cases of herpes simplex virus type 1-induced hemophagocytic lymphohistiocytosis are rare in adults. This study aims to provide a comprehensive overview of the clinical characteristics and treatment outcomes associated with HSV-1-induced HLH. We herein report an adult case of hemophagocytic lymphohistiocytosis caused by herpes simplex virus type 1, diagnosed on the basis of peripheral blood metagenomic next-generation sequencing results. The patient exhibited a favorable response to treatment, involving dexamethasone, intravenous immunoglobulin, and acyclovir. Notably, etoposide administration was deemed unnecessary, and there has been no recurrence of the disease within the year following treatment. Early and sensitive recognition, rapid and precise diagnosis, and timely and appropriate treatment facilitated the successful treatment of this case.

Risk factors and prognosis of early death in secondary hemophagocytic lymphohistiocytosis

The aim of our study was to summarize the clinical characteristics of early death patients with newly diagnosed secondary hemophagocytic lymphohistiocytosis (sHLH), analyze the risk factors of early death, and analyze the survival of patients. The clinical characteristics of 324 newly diagnosed sHLH patients admitted to the First Affiliated Hospital of Zhejiang University Medical College and Zhejiang Provincial Cancer Hospital from January 2014 to February 2021 were analyzed retrospectively. Analyze the independent risk factors of early death, compare the secondary diseases and treatment methods of patients with early death group and non early death group, and analyze the survival of all patients with sHLH. Among the 324 newly diagnosed patients with sHLH, 134 died early, with an early mortality rate of 41.4%. Comparing the clinical characteristics of patients with early death group and patients with non early death group, logistic regression model was used to conduct multifactor analysis. Age > 60 years, Plt ≤ 20.0 × 109/L, APTT > 36.0 s and LDH > 1000.0 U/L were independent risk factors for early death of newly diagnosed sHLH patients (P < 0.05). Comparing the secondary diseases and treatment methods between early death group and non early death group, the proportion of sHLH patients secondary to lymphoma was higher in early death group than that in non early death group (P < 0.05). The proportion of sHLH patients secondary to connective tissue disease and infection was lower in early death group than that in non early death group (P < 0.05), and the proportion of sHLH patients used hormone combined chemotherapy was lower in early death group than that in non early death group (P < 0.05). The median follow-up time of all patients was 12.0 (1-65) months. The 5-year OS rates of patients with age > 60 years and age ≤ 60 years were 25.8% and 49.6% respectively (P < 0.001); The 5-year OS rates of patients with Plt > 20.0 × 109/L and Plt ≤ 20.0 × 109/L were 52.5% and 25.5% respectively (P < 0.001); The 5-year OS rates of patients with APTT > 36.0 s and APTT ≤ 36.0 s were 34.5% and 57.4% respectively (P < 0.001); The 5-year OS rates of patients with LDH > 1000.0 U/L and LDH ≤ 1000.0 U/L were 23.3% and 56.3% respectively (P < 0.001). Age > 60 years, Plt ≤ 20.0 × 109/L, APTT > 36.0 s and LDH > 1000.0 U/L are independent risk factors for early death of sHLH patients. The early mortality of lymphoma associated HLH (LA-HLH) patients is high, and early use of hormone combined chemotherapy can reduce the early mortality.

Case report: A case of sepsis caused by rickettsial infection-induced hemophagocytic syndrome

Hemophagocytic lymphohistiocytosis (HLH) is a rare histiocytic disorder characterized by reactive hyperplasia of the mononuclear phagocytic system, which is primarily caused by dysfunction of cytotoxic killer cells and natural killer cells, leading to antigen clearance barriers and the overactivation of the mononuclear phagocytic system due to continuous antigen stimulation. HLH encompasses a group of clinical syndromes marked by the overproduction of inflammatory cytokines. A 68-year-old Chinese man presented with persistent fever, chills, nausea, and vomiting; the patient had no history of any underlying conditions. Laboratory investigations revealed decreased levels of red blood cells, white blood cells, and platelets, along with reduced natural killer cell activity, increased CD25, hyperferritinemia, and the detection of Rickettsia DNA in his blood, meeting the diagnostic criteria of the Histiocyte Society HLH-2004 guidelines. The patient was treated with antibiotics, improving anemia, glucocorticoid therapy, and continuous renal replacement therapy (CRRT), temporarily improving his condition. However, the patient died after 2 years from chronic renal failure caused by septic shock.

Secondary haemophagocytic lymphohistiocytosis in a patient with new-onset systemic lupus erythematosus: the challenges of timely diagnosis and successful treatment

Haemophagocytic lymphohistiocytosis (HLH) is an immune-mediated disease driven by abnormal macrophage activation and regulatory cell dysfunction. HLH can be primary due to genetic mutations or secondary due to infection, malignancy or autoimmune conditions. We describe a woman in her early 30s who developed HLH while being treated for newly diagnosed systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) complicated by lupus nephritis as well as concomitant cytomegalovirus (CMV) reactivation from a dormant infection. The trigger for this secondary form of HLH may have been either aggressive SLE and/or CMV reactivation. Despite prompt treatment with immunosuppressive therapies for SLE consisting of high-dose corticosteroids, mycophenolate mofetil, tacrolimus, etoposide for HLH and ganciclovir for CMV infection, the patient developed multiorgan failure and passed away. We demonstrate the difficulty in identifying a specific cause for secondary HLH when multiple conditions are present (SLE and CMV) and the fact that, despite aggressive treatment for both conditions, the mortality for HLH remains high.

FDG-Avid But Pentixafor-Negative in EBV-Associated T-Cell Lymphoproliferative Disorders

ABSTRACT

An 18-year-old woman with intermittent fever, pancytopenia, abnormal liver function, and enlarged lymph nodes and hepatosplenomegaly was clinically suspected as hemophagocytic lymphohistiocytosis. 18F-FDG PET/CT showed increased metabolism in multiple lymph nodes, which were highly suggestive of lymphoma. No increased CXCR4 expression in lymph nodes was demonstrated on 68Ga-pentixafor PET/CT. Subsequent right neck lymph node biopsy pathology revealed EBV-associated lymphoproliferative disorders. Our case shows that 68Ga-pentixafor PET/CT may have potential value in differentiating EBV-associated lymphoproliferative disorders from lymphomas.

The emerging role of anti-PD-1 antibody-based regimens in the treatment of extranodal NK/T-cell lymphoma-associated hemophagocytic lymphohistiocytosis

PURPOSE

Anti-PD-1 antibody (anti-PD-1 mAb) showed favorable outcomes in some patients with relapsed/refractory (r/r) extranodal NK/T-cell lymphoma (ENKTL). However, the role of anti-PD-1 antibody in NK/T-cell lymphoma-associated hemophagocytic lymphohistiocytosis (NK/T-LAHS) remains unclear. Here, we evaluated the efficacy and toxicity of anti-PD-1 antibody-based treatment in NK/T-LAHS patients.

METHODS

The clinical data of 98 patients diagnosed with NK/T-LAHS at Sun Yat-sen University Cancer Center and the First Affiliated Hospital of Guangdong Pharmaceutical University from May 2014 to November 2021 were retrospectively analyzed. All patients received anti-HLH [HLH-2004 (etoposide, dexamethasone, cyclosporine A) or DEP-based (liposomal doxorubicin, etoposide, methylprednisolone)] regimen and sequential anti-ENKTL chemotherapy (ChT) combined with anti-PD-1 antibody or not.

RESULTS

The overall response rate (ORR) of the anti-PD-1 mAb plus ChT regimens was higher than that of the ChT regimens (73.3% vs. 45.5%, P = 0.041). The toxicity of the anti-PD-1 mAb plus ChT regimens was tolerable. Except for higher rate of neutropenia, no significant difference in adverse events (AEs) was observed between the two groups. When the optimal response to anti-ENKTL was achieved, the median EBV DNA levels in patients who received anti-PD-1 mAb plus ChT were significantly lower than patients who received ChT only (878 copies/mL vs. 18,600 copies/mL, P = 0.001). With a median follow-up of 26.6 months (range 0-65.9 months), the median overall survival (mOS) was 3.5 months (95% CI：2.3-4.7 months). Patients treated with anti-PD-1 mAb plus ChT experienced a longer mOS than those who received ChT only [5.2 months (95% CI: 2.5-7.8 months) vs. 1.5 months (95% CI: 0.5-2.6 months), P = 0.002]. Cox multivariate analysis found that anti-PD-1 mAb was an independent prognostic factor for all NK/T-LAHS patients.

CONCLUSION

In conclusion, anti-PD-1 mAb combined with ChT regimens seemed to be associated with prolonged survival in NK/T-LAHS patients and may represent a potentially promising treatment strategy for this population.

Hemophagocytic lymphohistiocytosis in inflammatory bowel disease: a nationwide analysis

Hemophagocytic lymphohistiocytosis (HLH) is a rare but life-threatening immune dysregulation disease. Patients with inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) can become profoundly immunocompromised due to immunosuppressive therapy, hence increasing the risk of viral infections that can trigger HLH. However, data on the association between IBD and HLH remains limited. We used data from the National Inpatient Sample (2012-2019) utilizing International Classification of Diseases (ICD)-9 or ICD-10 codes to identify individuals with IBD, either Crohn's disease (CD) or ulcerative colitis (UC), and HLH. The primary outcome was to compare the prevalence of HLH among patients with IBD with those without IBD. Secondary outcomes included in-hospital mortality, mean hospital length of stay, and description of HLH-associated triggers in IBD patients. A total of 513,322 hospitalizations included a diagnosis of IBD, 188,297 had UC and 325,025 had CD. Compared to the general population, patients with IBD were older (median age of 52 vs. 49 years, p < 0.05), more likely to be male, and of Asian/Pacific Islander descent, and had a higher median household income. There was also a higher prevalence of liver disease, autoimmune diseases, tobacco abuse, and hypothyroidism (all had p-value of < 0.001) in IBD patients. There were 94 hospitalizations identified with a diagnosis of HLH in IBD patients. Compared to patients without IBD, patients with IBD had increased odds of developing HLH (0.02% vs 0.01%, p-value < 0.001). After adjusting for various demographic characteristics, co-morbidities, and HLH-related conditions, IBD was an independent predictor for developing HLH (adjusted OR, 2.3; 95% CI, 1.847-2.866, p-value of < 0.001). There was no statistical difference between CD and UC in the odds of developing HLH. Compared to IBD patients without HLH, patients with IBD and HLH had a lower mean age at diagnosis (38 vs 52, p-value of < 0.001), higher in-hospital mortality (14.9% vs 1.5%, p-value of < 0.001), and longer mean hospital length of stay (days) (17 vs 5.4, p-value of < 0.001). Prevalence of different HLH-associated illnesses was identified in HLH patient's discharge data. Lymphoma was the most common associated malignancy (18.1%) and cytomegalovirus infection was the most common associated infection (16.0%). Our population-based study suggests that IBD is independently associated with developing HLH. Early recognition of IBD patients presenting with features suggestive of HLH is warranted to aide early diagnosis and aggressive treatment.

A Review of Current and Emerging Therapeutic Options for Hemophagocytic Lymphohistiocytosis

Objective:

To provide an overview of clinical sequelae and emerging treatment options for hemophagocytic lymphohistiocytosis (HLH).

Data Sources:

A literature search was conducted using the search terms “hemophagocytic lymphohistiocytosis,” “hemophagocytic syndrome,” “macrophage activation syndrome,” and “treatment” on Ovid and PubMed from January 1, 2017, through September 28, 2022.

Study Selection and Data Extraction:

Relevant clinical trials, meta-analyses, case reports, review articles, package inserts, and guidelines to identify current and emerging therapeutic options for the management of HLH.

Data Synthesis:

Genetic disorders and secondary causes may trigger HLH in both children and adults. Notable improvements in the diagnosis of HLH were seen with implementation of the HLH-2004 standard diagnostic criteria; however, timely and accurate identification of HLH remain significant barriers to optimal management. Multiagent immunochemotherapy are the backbone of aggressive therapy for acutely ill patients with HLH.

Relevance to Patient Care and Clinical Practice:

The global coronavirus 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic and emerging immune effector cell therapies have served to highlight the concerns with immune dysregulation and subsequent HLH precipitation. Without prompt identification and treatment, HLH can be fatal. Historically, the clinician’s armamentarium for managing HLH was sparse, with etoposide-based protocols serving as the standard of care. Relapsed or refractory disease portends a poor prognosis and requires additional treatment options. Second- or subsequent-line options now include hematopoietic stem cell transplantation, emapalumab, alemtuzumab, anakinra, ruxolitinib, and tocilizumab.

Conclusions:

Improvements in diagnostic methods and novel immunosuppressive treatment strategies, including noncytotoxic immunochemotherapy, have transformed the therapeutic landscape. Unfortunately, many unanswered questions remain. Additional studies are required to optimize dosing, schedules, treatment sequences, and indications for novel treatment options.

Hemophagocytic Lymphohistiocytosis and Infection: A Literature Review

Hemophagocytic lymphocytosis (HLH) is a life-threatening, underdiagnosed syndrome caused by the excessive release of inflammatory mediators. Primary lymphocytosis is usually seen in young children and is associated with genetic defects, while secondary lymphocytosis is presented in adults due to malignancy, rheumatic disease, or infection. The aim of this study is to describe the infectious agents that trigger HLH in the adult population and provide diagnostic and treatment guidelines for this life-threatening syndrome. We conducted a literature review using PubMed as our basic database. We collected papers from the past six years that studied infectious agents that triggered HLH and described the most recommended treatment options for this serious condition. A total of 32 studies were included for this literature review.HLH is considered a syndrome with variable symptoms, and clinicians should be familiar with its complexity and the pathologies that could contribute to its presentation. Collaboration between physicians and awareness are basic steps for the management of patients with HLH.

Carrier frequency and incidence estimation of familial hemophagocytic lymphohistiocytosis in East Asian populations by genome aggregation database (gnomAD) based analysis

OBJECTIVES

Hemophagocytic lymphohistiocytosis (HLH) is a clinical syndrome characterized by a life-threatening condition caused by severe hypercytokinemia. The hereditary forms of HLH, also called familial HLH (fHLH), have 4 different genes (PRF1, UNC13D, STX11, and STXBP2) and have been identified as being causative for fHLH. This study aimed to analyze the carrier frequency and expected incidence of fHLH in East Asians and Koreans using exome data from the Genome Aggregation Database (gnomAD).

METHODS

We analyzed 9,197 exomes for East Asian populations from gnomAD with 1,909 Korean for four fHLH genes. All identified variants were classified according to 2015 American College of Medical Genetics and Genomics and the Association for Molecular Pathology guideline.

RESULTS

19 pathogenic variant/likely pathogenic variants (PV/LPVs) were identified in 30 East Asian individuals (0.33%). Among them, 7 PV/LPVs were identified in 17 Korean individuals (0.63%). The estimated incidence of fHLH was 1 in 1,105,652 for East Asians and l in 235,128 for Koreans.

CONCLUSIONS

This study is the first to identify carrier frequencies in East Asian and Korean populations for fHLH using gnomAD. It was confirmed that the carrier frequency of fHLH patients was high in Koreans among East Asians and the incidence was also predicted to be higher than that of other East Asians. The variant spectrum of fHLH genes in East Asian and Korean populations differed greatly from those of other ethnic groups.

Targeting interferon-γ in hyperinflammation: opportunities and challenges

Interferon-γ (IFNγ) is a pleiotropic cytokine with multiple effects on the inflammatory response and on innate and adaptive immunity. Overproduction of IFNγ underlies several, potentially fatal, hyperinflammatory or immune-mediated diseases. Several data from animal models and/or from translational research in patients point to a role of IFNγ in hyperinflammatory diseases, such as primary haemophagocytic lymphohistiocytosis, various forms of secondary haemophagocytic lymphohistiocytosis, including macrophage activation syndrome, and cytokine release syndrome, all of which are often managed by rheumatologists or in consultation with rheumatologists. Given the effects of IFNγ on B cells and T follicular helper cells, a role for IFNγ in systemic lupus erythematosus pathogenesis is emerging. To improve our understanding of the role of IFNγ in human disease, IFNγ-related biomarkers that are relevant for the management of hyperinflammatory diseases are progressively being identified and studied, especially because circulating levels of IFNγ do not always reflect its overproduction in tissue. These biomarkers include STAT1 (specifically the phosphorylated form), neopterin and the chemokine CXCL9. IFNγ-neutralizing agents have shown efficacy in the treatment of primary haemophagocytic lymphohistiocytosis in clinical trials and initial promising results have been obtained in various forms of secondary haemophagocytic lymphohistiocytosis, including macrophage activation syndrome. In clinical practice, there is a growing body of evidence supporting the usefulness of circulating CXCL9 levels as a biomarker reflecting IFNγ production.

A Decade of Lymphoma-Associated Hemophagocytic Lymphohistiocytosis: Does the Outcome Improve?

To investigate the potential treatment evolution and outcome improvement, we retrospectively compared clinical characteristics, therapeutic strategies, treatment responses, and overall survival (OS) in patients diagnosed and treated with lymphoma-associated HLH between 2004–2012 (n = 30) and 2013–2021 (n = 26). Our study showed that the clinical characteristics of lymphoma-associated HLH did not substantially change over the past two decades. However, more patients diagnosed in 2013–2021 were tested for Epstein–Barr virus than those diagnosed in 2004–2012 (69.3% vs. 33.3%; p = 0.021). In addition, Eastern Cooperative Oncology Group performance status 3–4 (hazard ratio (HR): 5.38; 95% confidence intervals (CI): 2.49–11.61; p < 0.001) and jaundice (HR: 2.91; 95% CI: 1.37–6.18; p = 0.006) were poor prognostic factors for lymphoma-associated HLH. With a comparable response rate of lymphoma treatment, patients treated in 2013–2021 had a numerically greater median OS than those treated in 2004–2012 (23.6 ± 19.8 vs. 9.7 ± 4.5 months). However, the difference was not statistically significant (p = 0.334). In conclusion, early diagnosis and tailored treatments that balance efficacy and adverse events remain the key to obtaining a better outcome in lymphoma-associated HLH.

Hemophagocytic lymphohistiocytosis secondary to composite lymphoma: Two case reports

BACKGROUND

Hemophagocytic lymphohistiocytosis (HLH) is a rare and life-threatening disease caused by inherited pathogenic mutations and acquired dysregulations of the immune system. Composite lymphoma is defined as two or more morphologically and immunophenotypically distinct lymphomas that occur in a single patient. Here, we report two cases of HLH secondary to composite lymphoma with mixed lineage features of T- and B-cell marker expression both in the bone marrow and lymph nodes in adult patients.

CASE SUMMARY

Two patients were diagnosed with HLH based on the occurrence of fever, pancytopenia, lymphadenopathy, splenomegaly, hemophagocytosis and hyperferritinemia. Immunohistochemical staining of the axillary lymph node and bone marrow in case 1 showed typical features of combined B-cell and T-cell lymphoma. In addition, a lymph node gene study revealed rearrangement of the T-cell receptor chain and the immunoglobulin gene. Morphology and immunohistochemistry studies of a lymph node biopsy in case 2 showed typical features of T cell lymphoma, but immunophenotyping by flow cytometry analysis of bone marrow aspirate showed B cell lymphoma involvement. The patients were treated with high-dose methylprednisolone combined with etoposide to control aggressive HLH progression. The patients also received immunochemotherapy with the R-CHOP (rituximab, cyclophosphamide, doxorubicin, vincristine, and prednisone) regimen immediately after diagnosis. Both patients presented with highly aggressive lymphoma, and died of severe infection or uncontrolled HLH.

CONCLUSION

We present two rare cases with overwhelming hemophagocytosis along with composite T- and B-cell lymphoma, which posed a diagnostic dilemma. HLH caused by composite lymphoma was characterized by poor clinical outcomes.

Continuous intravenous anakinra for treating severe secondary haemophagocytic lymphohistiocytosis/macrophage activation syndrome in critically ill children

The cytokine storm of secondary haemophagocytic lymphohistiocytosis (sHLH)/macrophage activation syndrome (MAS) can cause life-threatening multiorgan failure. Interleukin-1 (IL-1) receptor blockade with anakinra can be effective in the management of sHLH/MAS. Subcutaneous (SC) dosing regimens are widely described; however, intravenous (IV) dosing is advantageous where time-critical intervention is vital and where SC oedema and/or hypoperfusion limits absorption. We review three critically ill children (aged 9, 11 and 17) with sHLH and rapidly progressive multiorgan dysfunction, successfully treated with continuous IV anakinra infusion. This case series significantly enhances the incipient knowledge regarding the safety and efficacy of IV anakinra for life-threatening sHLH.

Clinicopathological features and survival in EBV-positive diffuse large B-cell lymphoma not otherwise specified

In this retrospective study, we report 70 cases of Epstein-Barr virus (EBV)+ diffuse large B-cell lymphoma not otherwise specified (DLBCL-NOS) among 1696 DLBCL-NOS cases diagnosed between 2006 and 2019 (prevalence of 4.1%). At diagnosis, median age was 68.5 years; 79% of the cases presented with an advanced-stage disease (III-IV), 48% with extranodal lesions, and 14% with an hemophagocytic lymphohistiocytosis (HLH) (8 at diagnosis and 1 on therapy). A total of 46 cases presented a polymorphic pattern, and 21 were monomorphic. All had a non-germinal center B phenotype, with the majority of tumor cells expressing CD30 and programmed death ligand 1 (98% and 95%, respectively). Type II and III EBV latency was seen in 88% and 12% of the cases, respectively. Patients were treated with immunochemotherapy (59%) or chemotherapy (22%), and 19% received palliative care due to advanced age and altered performance status. After a median follow-up of 48 months, progression-free survival (PFS) and overall survival (OS) at 5 years were 52.7% and 54.8%, respectively. Older age (>50 years) and HLH were associated with shorter PFS and OS in multivariate analysis (PFS: hazard ratio [HR], 14.01; 95% confidence interval [CI], 2.34-83.97; and HR, 5.78; 95% CI, 2.35-14.23; OS: HR, 12.41; 95% CI, 1.65-93.53; and HR, 6.09; 95% CI, 2.42-15.30, respectively). Finally, using a control cohort of 425 EBV- DLBCL-NOS, EBV positivity was associated with a shorter OS outcome within patients >50 years (5-year OS, 53% [95% CI, 38.2-74] vs 60.8% [95% CI, 55.4-69.3], P = .038), but not in younger patients.

[Hemophagocytic lymphohistiocytosis as a presentation of T-cell lymphoma]

INTRODUCTION

Hemophagocytic lymphohistiocytosis (HHL), a severe hyperinflammatory syndrome caused by aberrant activation of macrophages and cytotoxic T cells, is clinically manifested as a febrile onset along with cytopenias, high ferritin serum level and splenomegaly. In adult patients, secondary causes of it should be looked for, such as autoimmune and infectious diseases and neoplasms. Prompt initiation of treatment is important due to the high mortality of this syndrome.

METHODS

A case of a 53-year-old patient diagnosed with HHL associated with T-cell lymphoma is presented as a sudden onset of several symptoms and signs of HHL, along with infectious complications.

RESULTS

Results: Once the diagnosis of HHL was made, treatment with Etoposide and Dexamethasone was started, and with the diagnosis of T-cell lymphoma established, chemotherapy treatment with a CHOEP scheme was started, with a favorable initial evolution.

MAIN CONCLUSION

As HHL is a rare entity associated with high mortality, initial suspicion must be high when facing an acute onset of fever, cytopenia and splenomegaly. Nonetheless, diagnosing HHL is challenging and often appear superimposed on multiple infectious diseases. The early initiation of treatmbent is important given the high mortality of this pathology

Increased levels of serum interleukin-10 are associated with poor outcome in adult hemophagocytic lymphohistiocytosis patients

BACKGROUND

Interleukin-10 (IL-10) is an independent factor for predicting adverse outcomes in pediatric patients with hemophagocytic lymphohistiocytosis (HLH). However, little is known about its prognostic value in adult patients.

METHODS

This single center retrospective study was conducted to explore the prognostic value of IL-10 in 101 adults newly diagnosed with HLH. The serum interleukin levels were quantitatively determined by chemiluminescence using cytokine profiling kits.

RESULTS

Serum IL-10 levels were significantly increased in adult HLH patients. Elevated IL-10 levels was correlated with lower concentrations of hemoglobin (r =  - 0.279, P = 0.005). IL-10 levels were significantly lower in patients with macrophage activation syndrome (MAS) than in those with infection-associated HLH (IAHS) and malignancy-associated HLH (MAHS) (P = 0.033, P = 0.012). Patients with MAS had relatively longer survival than those with IAHS and MAHS (P < 0.001). Univariate analysis indicated that hemoglobin < 8.2 g/dL, platelets < 40 × 10⁹/L, lactate dehydrogenase ≥ 700 IU/L, albumin < 28 g/L, post-treatment ferritin > 1050 µg/L and IL-10 ≥ 129 pg/mL were poor prognostic factors for survival. However, multivariate analysis revealed that only high serum IL-10 levels (≥ 129 pg/mL) at diagnosis and high post-treatment ferritin levels (> 1050 µg/L) were independent risk factors for poor overall survival in adult HLH patients (HR: 4.087, 95% CI 2.064-8.090, P < 0.001; HR 3.814, 95% CI 2.042-7.126, P < 0.001, respectively).

CONCLUSIONS

Our results suggest that higher serum IL-10 levels might be a prognostic marker in adult HLH patients.

An Atypical Presentation of Hemophagocytic Lymphohistiocytosis (HLH) Secondary to Occult Hodgkin Lymphoma

Hemophagocytic lymphohistiocytosis (HLH) is a rare and life-threatening syndrome of immune system dysregulation characterized by the phagocytosis of various cells by histiocytes in the bone marrow. HLH can present in one of the two ways: primary HLH, which is caused by mutations in genes essential to T and NK-cell function, and secondary HLH, typically caused by Epstein-Barr virus (EBV) infection or malignancy. Because of the rapid progression and high mortality of this disease, prompt diagnosis is essential to good outcomes. Here, we report the 2-month clinical course of a patient who presented with altered mental status and recurrent fever of unknown origin. Initially, he did not meet diagnostic criteria for HLH and had a negative bone marrow biopsy; however, he eventually progressed to full-blown HLH secondary to occult Hodgkin lymphoma. This case is unusual for the slow and smoldering course of the patient's disease and highlights the importance of aggressively searching for potential malignancies to ensure the initiation of definitive therapy as soon as possible.

The DEP regimen is superior to the HLH-1994 regimen as first-line therapy for lymphoma-associated haemophagocytic lymphohistiocytosis

Lymphoma-associated haemophagocytic lymphohistiocytosis (LA-HLH) has a poor prognosis. Currently, there is no unified, effective first-line treatment regimen for it. We retrospectively analyzed the clinical data of 50 patients who received the DEP regimen and 30 patients who received the HLH-1994 regimen. After 2 weeks of treatment, the ORR of the DEP group was higher than that of the HLH-1994 group (p = 0.024). After 4 weeks, the CR and ORR of the DEP group were higher than those of the HLH-1994 group (p < 0.05). The recurrence rate of the HLH-1994 group within 4 weeks (20.0%) was higher than that of the DEP group (2.1%) (p < 0.05). The median survival of patients with NK/T and T-cell lymphoma in the DEP group (10.1 months) was longer than the median survival of the HLH-1994 group (2.6 months) (p = 0.017). Our study suggests that the DEP regimen can improve Week 2 and Week 4 ORR, Week 4 CR, and reduce Week 4 recurrence rate for LA-HLH more than the HLH-1994 regimen.

Risk factors of early death in adult patients with secondary hemophagocytic lymphohistiocytosis: a single-institution study of 171 Chinese patients

Background: Adult secondary hemophagocytic lymphohistiocytosis (HLH) is a potentially life-threatening syndrome characterized by excessive activation of mononuclear-phagocytic system resulting in hyperinflammatory response. To date, the factors influencing early death of HLH are still not fully elucidated. Patients and Methods: We did a retrospective study of 171 adult patients with newly diagnosed HLH at our institution from January 2012 to April 2018. All patients' clinical features, laboratory findings, treatments and prognosis were reviewed. Results: The median age was 49 years (range, 18-88 years), and 110 (64.3%) were male. The major underlying trigger of HLH was malignancy (88/171, 51.5%), especially non-Hodgkin lymphoma. In a multivariate analysis, age ≥54 years (P = 0.002), platelet ≤39.5 × 10⁹/L (P = 0.028), activated partial thromboplastin time (APTT) ≥54 sec (P = 0.048), triglyceride ≥3.23 mmol/L (P < 0.001), lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) ≥1300 U/L (P = 0.012) and malignancy (P = 0.001) were significantly associated with early death in HLH. Then, patients were classified into four groups according to the number of risk factors at the time of diagnosis: low risk (zero, one or two risk factors), low intermediate risk (three risk factors), high intermediate risk (four risk factors) and high risk (at least five risk factors), with the 30-day overall survival (OS) of 92.4%, 58.8%, 30.0% and 4.8%, respectively (P < 0.001). Conclusions: Patients with old age, thrombocytopenia, prolonged APTT, hypertriglyceridemia, elevated LDH and malignancy had inferior survival. It is important to identify those patients at risk of early death, which may guide treatment and reduce mortality.

EBV-Associated T-Cell Lymphoproliferative Disorders Demonstrated on FDG PET/CT in a Patient With Hemophagocytic Lymphohistiocytosis

FDG PET/CT was performed in a 20-year-old woman to find the underlying cause of hemophagocytic lymphohistiocytosis. The images revealed hypermetabolic activity in multiple lymph nodes and in the spleen. Lymphoma was suspected. However, the pathology of bone marrow, lymph nodes, and the spleen demonstrated chronic active Epstein-Barr virus-associated T-cell lymphoproliferative disorders.