Pegylated liposomal doxorubicin (PLD)-containing regimen as a novel treatment of monomorphic epithelial intestinal T-cell lymphoma (MEITL): A case report and review of literature

INTRODUCTION

Monomorphic intestinal T-cell lymphoma (MEITL) is a rare, aggressive peripheral T-cell lymphoma that arises from intestinal epithelial lymphocytes. Currently, MEITL lacks standard treatment options. Under the current treatment regimen, the median survival time for patients is only 7 months. Chemotherapy followed by hematopoietic stem cell transplantation may improve patient outcomes. New anti-lymphoma drugs, including chidamide and PEG-asparaginase, are being tested against MEITL. To our knowledge, there are currently no data on the pegylated liposomal doxorubicin (PLD) regimen for MEITL therapy.Patient concerns, diagnosis and interventions: We report the case of a 54-year-old patient diagnosed with MEITL who presented with abdominal pain and was treated with a cyclophosphamide, doxorubicin, vincristine, prednisone, etoposide regimen containing PLD.

OUTCOMES

After 15 months of follow-up, the patient is currently alive and disease free. The application of doxorubicin liposomes in chemotherapy regimens may be a new way to treat MEITL.

REVIEW

We searched the literature on MEITL and selected 52 case reports. We summarized the clinical characteristics and treatment of 53 patients (including the current patient).

CONCLUSION

It highlights 2 important clinical findings. First, for patients with MEITL treated with the cyclophosphamide, doxorubicin, vincristine, prednisone, etoposide regimen, PLD has fewer adverse reactions and better long-term survival than doxorubicin. Second, an early diagnosis is necessary for prompt treatment. We believe that this manuscript will be valuable to all the researchers who are interested in.

Incidental Diagnosis of Monomorphic Epitheliotropic Intestinal T-Cell Lymphoma: A Case Report

Monomorphic epitheliotropic intestinal T-cell lymphoma (MEITL) is a rare, rapidly progressive, primary intestinal T-cell lymphoma. It is most commonly seen in the Asian and Hispanic populations and is usually not related to celiac disease, unlike type I enteropathy associated T-cell lymphoma. The most common site of occurrence is the small intestine. Patients usually present during the advanced stage of disease with clinical features of intestinal perforation or obstruction. The late clinical presentation and lack of targeted therapy are factors contributing to its poor prognosis. Here, we are presenting the case of a patient who initially came to the hospital for a urinary tract infection. As his abdominal CT scan showed abdominal wall thickening, he underwent further workup which revealed the diagnosis of MEITL.