Hemophagocytic lymphohistiocytosis: an uncommon presentation of enteropathy-associated T-cell lymphoma

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.

Haemophagocytic lymphocytic histiocytosis/macrophage activation syndrome with acute inflammatory gastroenteritis

Haemophagocytic lymphocytic histiocytosis (HLH) is a rare, life-threatening condition caused by abnormal activation of cytotoxic T lymphocytes, natural killer cells and macrophages resulting in hypercytokinaemia and immune-mediated injury of multiple organ systems. Secondary HLH occurs in the setting of a malignant, infectious or autoimmune stimulus. Macrophage activation syndrome (MAS) is the term used to describe HLH that develops secondary to rheumatological diseases such as lupus and juvenile idiopathic arthritis, among others. Commonly observed and documented symptoms include fever, organomegaly and lymphadenopathy. Given the potential for multiorgan failure in HLH/MAS, early identification, diagnosis and initiation of treatment is essential. We present a case of secondary HLH/MAS with acute inflammatory gastroenteritis in a middle-aged woman with a history of systemic lupus erythematosus.

A fatal outcome in a patient with coeliac disease who suspended a strict gluten-free diet: a case report

Coeliac disease (CD) is an autoimmune small bowel disease that occurs in susceptible individuals that develop an immunological reaction to gluten. A strict gluten-free diet (GFD) is the primary treatment for CD. This case report describes a patient with CD recurrence due to a discontinuation of a strict GFD by the patient. After recurrence, the patient developed fever and pancytopaenia, and quickly died of haemophagocytic lymphohistiocytosis (HLH). To the best of our knowledge, this is the first description of a case of CD associated with HLH due to discontinued GFD, which may contribute to improving the awareness of the importance of maintaining a strict GFD and having regular follow-up examinations.

Use of PEG-asparaginase in monomorphic epitheliotropic intestinal T-cell lymphoma, a disease with diagnostic and therapeutic challenges

Monomorphic epitheliotropic intestinal T-cell lymphoma (MEITL), previously known as enteropathy associated T-cell lymphoma (EATL) type II, is a rare haematological malignancy with a difficult and delayed diagnosis. Symptoms can include abdominal pain, weight loss, and chronic diarrhoea. However, most patients are only diagnosed after complications, such as perforation or obstruction, have developed. There is no standard treatment for MEITL; most accepted regimens consist of surgical resection and anthracycline-based chemotherapy. Prognosis is poor with an approximate survival of less than a year. Even though other therapies, such as autologous stem cell transplant, has shown promising results, not all patients can tolerate this course of treatment especially if they are elderly, have several comorbidities or are malnourished. Innovative therapies that improve survival and can be used as an alternative for more intensive treatment are needed. We report the use of PEG-asparaginase along with conventional anthracycline therapy in a 70-year-old woman diagnosed with MEITL, who went into remission and survived for more than one year before succumbing to relapsed disease.

Pathology of T-cell lymphomas: diagnosis and biomarker discovery

T-cell lymphomas are a group of predominantly rare hematologic malignancies that tend to recapitulate different stages of T-cell development, in a similar way that B-cell lymphomas do. As opposed to B-cell lymphomas, the understanding of the biology and the classification of T-cell lymphomas are somewhat rudimentary, and numerous entities are still included as 'provisional categories' in the World Health Classification of hematolopoietic malignancies. A relevant and useful classification of these disorders have been difficult to accomplish because of the rarity nature of them, the relative lack of understanding of the molecular pathogenesis, and their morphological and immunophenotypical complexity. Overall, T-cell lymphomas represent only 15 % of all non-Hodgkin lymphomas. This review is focused on addressing the current status of the categories of mature T-cell leukemias and lymphomas (nodal and extranodal) using an approach that incorporates histopathology, immunophenotype, and molecular understanding of the nature of these disorders, using the same philosophy of the most recent revised WHO classification of hematopoietic malignancies.

Hemophagocytic lymphohistiocytosis: review of etiologies and management

Hemophagocytic lymphohistiocytosis (HLH) covers a wide array of related life-threatening conditions featuring ineffective immunity characterized by an uncontrolled hyperinflammatory response. HLH is often triggered by infection. Familial forms result from genetic defects in natural killer cells and cytotoxic T-cells, typically affecting perforin and intracellular vesicles. HLH is likely under-recognized, which contributes to its high morbidity and mortality. Early recognition is crucial for any reasonable attempt at curative therapy to be made. Current treatment regimens include immunosuppression, immune modulation, chemotherapy, and biological response modification, followed by hematopoietic stem-cell transplant (bone marrow transplant). A number of recent studies have contributed to the understanding of HLH pathophysiology, leading to alternate treatment options; however, much work remains to raise awareness and improve the high morbidity and mortality of these complex conditions.