Nodal involvement of extranodal marginal zone lymphoma with extreme plasmacytic differentiation (Mott cell formation) simulating plasma cell neoplasm and lymphoplasmacytic lymphoma

Nodal EBV-positive polymorphic B cell lymphoproliferative disorder with plasma cell differentiation: clinicopathological analysis of five cases

Plasma cell differentiation (PCD) is frequently observed in some entities of non-Hodgkin B cell lymphoma, including both low-grade and high-grade lymphomas. However, except for plasmablastic lymphoma and primary effusion lymphoma, EBV⁺ B cell lymphoproliferative disorder (LPD) with PCD has not been well addressed due to its rarity. We clinicopathologically examined five cases of nodal EBV⁺ polymorphic B cell LPD with PCD (PBLPD-PCD) initially diagnosed as polymorphic EBV⁺ diffuse large B cell lymphoma, not otherwise specified (DLBCL-NOS) with PCD (n = 3) and methotrexate-associated B cell LPD (MTX-associated B-LPD) (n = 2). One case had a concomitant brain lesion which was clinically diagnosed as EBV-related encephalitis. This patient received therapy with vidarabine, and both the brain lesion and the nodal EBV⁺ PBLPD-PCD lesions disappeared. Another case was characterized by Mott cell differentiation. This case was the first reported case of EBV⁺ B cell lymphoma or LPD with Mott cell differentiation. The two cases of MTX-associated B cell LPD which arose in patients with rheumatoid arthritis spontaneously regressed after MTX cessation. TCRγ and IGH PCR analysis was performed in four cases. Two cases had TCRγ rearrangements, but no IGH rearrangements. The other two cases had no rearrangements in these genes. We concluded that nodal EBV⁺ PBLPD-PCD is rare, with heterogeneous characteristics. PCR analysis revealed that nodal EBV⁺ PBLPD-PCD may have only TCR clonality and no IGH clonality. Considering the partial or complete loss of CD20 expression on the tumor cells, this result may be confusing for accurate diagnosis of EBV⁺ PBLPD-PCD, and pathologists need to be aware of this phenomenon to avoid misdiagnosis.

Histopathologic Analysis of Conjunctival Lymphoproliferative Disease After Topical Brimonidine Use

Purpose: To describe of histopathological findings of conjunctival lymphoproliferative disease (CLD) after topical brimonidine use. Methods: This is a retrospective medical record review study, including histopathologic description. We reviewed the medical records of 208 patients (415 eyes) who were diagnosed with glaucoma and who were treated with topical brimonidine only for a minimum of 6 months. Of these, the medical records of 19 patients with suspected CLD clinical features were reviewed in detail. When CLD was suspected due to administration of brimonidine, histopathological analysis was performed by biopsy of these lesions. In addition, immunohistochemical staining was performed to analyze lymphocyte markers in some pathological tissues. Results: Nineteen patients had suspected CLD without definite irritative symptoms. Diffuse elevated (11 patients) or follicular lesion (8 patients) of salmon pink appearance was observed in inferior palpebral conjunctiva. Among these patients, 5 patients who agreed to conjunctival biopsy had histopathological findings of CLD such as reactive lymphoid hyperplasia (LH) (2 cases) or atypical LH (2 cases). The mean duration of brimonidine use was 29.00 ± 20.25 months (6-76 months). And follow-up period after discontinuation of brimonidine was 27.93 ± 11.87 months (12-58 months). At the last visit, complete resolution of the lesion was seen in 13 patients, and partial improvement was observed in 6 patients. Conclusions: We found 4 cases of CLD following long-term administration of brimonidine. However, large-scale additional studies should be performed to establish causality, to determine whether these novel side effects were caused by long-term brimonidine treatment.

Gastric MALT Lymphoma with Increased Plasma Cell Differentiation Showing Unique Endoscopic Features

A 62-year-old woman was diagnosed with extranodal marginal zone lymphoma of mucosa-associated lymphoid tissue (MALT lymphoma) with increased plasma cell differentiation of the stomach. Esophagogastroduodenoscopy showed slightly elevated, whitish lesions in the gastric body. Magnifying endoscopic observation revealed that the gastric surface epithelium was swollen, but the structure was not destroyed or diminished. Elongated, tortuous vasculature was observed on the surface of the whitish lesions. The patient underwent eradication treatment for Helicobacter pylori, which resulted in complete remission. Although the appearance of abnormal vessels and the destruction of gastric epithelial structure are the typical features of gastric MALT lymphoma during magnifying endoscopy, the present case showed different features, which were rather similar to those observed in a previously reported case of gastric plasmacytoma. The current case indicates that magnifying endoscopic features are not uniform among gastric MALT lymphomas.

Detection of MYD88 L265P in patients with lymphoplasmacytic lymphoma/Waldenstrom macroglobulinemia and other B-cell non-Hodgkin lymphomas

Background

Recent studies have identified a high prevalence of the MYD88 L265P mutation in lymphoplasmacytic lymphoma (LPL)/Waldenstrom macroglobulinemia (WM) cases, whereas low frequencies have been observed in other B cell non-Hodgkin lymphomas (NHLs).

Methods

We evaluated the sensitivity of the mutant enrichment 3'-modified oligonucleotide (MEMO)-PCR technique, a new detection method. We examined the MYD88 L265P mutation in a series of Korean patients with LPL/WM and other B cell NHLs in bone marrow aspirates, using the MEMO-PCR technique.

Results

The sensitivity of MEMO-PCR was estimated to be approximately 10-16.7%. MYD88 L265P was detected in 21 of 28 LPL cases (75%) and only three of 69 B cell NHL cases (4.3%).

Conclusion

Although MEMO-PCR had relatively low sensitivity, we confirmed the high prevalence of the MYD88 L265P mutation in Korean LPL patients. Our study suggests the diagnostic value of MYD88 L265P for differentiating B-cell NHLs.

Clinical manifestations of autoimmune disease-related non-Hodgkin lymphoma: a Korean single-center, retrospective clinical study

BACKGROUND/AIMS

Recently, large cohort studies regarding associations between autoimmune disease and lymphomas have been reported in a few Western countries. However, Asian data concerning autoimmune-related lymphomas are limited. Therefore, we evaluated the clinical characteristics and prognostic factors of patients with autoimmune disease-related non-Hodgkin lymphoma (NHL) in a single center in Korea.

METHODS

We analyzed the data from 11 patients with autoimmune-related NHL. Patients were categorized into two groups, those with rheumatoid arthritis (RA) and those with non-RA-related NHL. Then patients were re-categorized into a group with methotrexate (MTX) usage and a MTX non-usage group. Histological subtype, MTX duration, autoimmune disease duration, treatment modalities, and other data were collected and analyzed.

RESULTS

Our study revealed that older RA patients have a greater likelihood of occurrence of NHL (p = 0.042). We confirmed that MTX duration and cumulative dose of MTX have no significant correlation with autoimmune disease and NHL (p = 0.073). In the management of autoimmune disease-related NHL, all patients were directly treated with systemic chemotherapy instead of employing a wait and watch approach. Overall survival (OS) and progression-free survival (PFS) in all autoimmune disease-related NHL were 100% and 87.5%, with no treatment-related mortality during the 2-year follow-up period of our study.

CONCLUSIONS

Our study suggests that patients with RA-NHL are characterized by older age at onset compared to those with non-RA-NHL. Also considering of OS and PFS, intensive treatment strategy instead of delayed watchful managements may be required for autoimmune disease-related NHL including of old age group.

[Marginal zone lymphoma with monoclonal immunoglobulin: three cases report and literatures review]

OBJECTIVE

To investigate the clinical features and treatment in patients of marginal zone lymphoma (MZL)with monoclonal immunoglobulin (McIg).

METHODS

The clinical data of MZL patients with McIg, including 3 cases diagnosed and treated in Beijing Anzhen Hospital from Jan 2007 to Dec 2014 were retrospectively studied, meanwhile 36 patients searched from literatures were reviewed.

RESULTS

Of a total of 39 patients, the ratio of male and female was 1.05∶1 with an average age of 65.1± 12.3 years old. 28 cases (71.8%)were with mucosa associated lymphoid tissue lymphomas (MALTL), 9 cases (23.1% )with nodal marginal zone lymphoma, and 2 cases (5.1%)with splenic marginal zone lymphoma. Nine cases (23.1% )were in the early stage, 30 cases (76.9%)in the advanced stage. The common initial symptom was non-mass lesions (65.5%), such as skin purpura, peripheral neuropathy; 13 patients (33.3% )were accompanied by autoimmune phenomenon, and most were with Sjogren's syndrome. Among MALTL patients, the common primary lesion was in non- gastrointestinal tract (17 cases, 60.7%). Most of patients with McIg were one with McIgM (82.0%); the others with McIgA, Mcκ-light chain, McIgG and double McIg. The level of plasma McIgM was (25.55±21.31)g/L, which was higher in advanced stage patients than in early stage ones [(29.85±20.60)g/Lvs (3.23±2.95)g/L,P= 0.008]. The complete remission (CR)rate was 56.0% and the overall response rate (ORR)92.0%, respectively in 30 patients treated by chemotherapy. At a median follow- up of 10 months, the 3- year progression free survival and the 3-year overall survival were 44.7% and 76.5%, respectively. The rates of ORR and CR in the patients received rituximab- included regimen were seemly better than those without rituximab one (100.0%vs 78.6%, 63.6%vs 50.0%;P>0.05), but no statistic differences were found. The CR rate in patients with McIgM was significantly higher than that with non- McIgM (P=0.026). The plasma McIgM level decreased after chemotherapy (P=0.002).

CONCLUSION

The MZL with McIg, perhaps a kind of unique subtype, usually occurred in 60 years or older patients. It was often diagnosed in patients of advanced stage and susceptible to autoimmune phenomenon. MALTL in non- gastrointestinal tract was more prone to find McIg. In MZL patients with McIg, McIgM was more common and other McIg rare. Rituximab-included regimen produced a better therapeutic response.