Extranodal natural killer/T-cell lymphoma: a diagnostic dilemma

BACKGROUND

The diagnosis of extranodal natural killer (NK)/T-cell lymphoma (NK/T-cell lymphoma) is often difficult and any delay in its diagnosis leads to a worsened prognosis. We analysed the factors that make the diagnosis of this type of tumour difficult.

METHODOLOGY/PRINCIPAL

We retrospectively reviewed the medical records of 20 patients with NK/T-cell lymphoma treated in our department, and assessed the clinical features and laboratory findings of the cases. Moreover, we classified factors related to delays in diagnosing NK/T cell lymphoma as follows: (1) insufficient specimen size, (2) massive necrosis, (3) large number of inflammatory cells, and (4) poor atypia. We selected cases requiring two or more biopsies for correct diagnosis and checked which factors were the main cause of misdiagnosis.

RESULTS

The average period required for a correct diagnosis was 12.8 months. The most frequent factor leading to diagnostic delay was inflammatory cell infiltration. Massive necrosis and poor atypia were also important factors in diagnostic delay.

CONCLUSIONS

In cases with necrotic lesions of the nose or pharynx, the possibility of NK/T cell lymphoma should be explored and samples, of as large a size as possible, should be obtained together with EBER-ISH for pathological examination. Repeat biopsies should also be performed for diagnosis.

Long-term hepatic allograft acceptance based on CD40 blockade by ASKP1240 in nonhuman primates

Blockade of the CD40-CD154 costimulatory signal is an attractive strategy for immunosuppression and tolerance induction in organ transplantation. Treatment with anti-CD154 monoclonal antibodies (mAbs) results in potent immunosuppression in nonhuman primates (NHPs). Despite plans for future clinical use, further development of these treatments was halted by complications. As an alternative approach, we have been focusing on the inhibition of the counter receptor, CD40 and have shown that a novel human anti-CD40 mAb, ASKP1240, markedly prolongs renal allograft survival in NHPs, although allografts eventually underwent chronic allograft nephropathy. On the basis of our previous findings that a CD40-CD154 costimulation blockade induces tolerance to hepatic, but not cardiac, allografts in rodents, we tested here our hypothesis that a blockade of CD40 by ASKP1240 allows acceptance of hepatic allografts in NHPs. A 2-week ASKP1240 induction treatment prolonged liver allograft survival in NHPs; however, the graft function deteriorated due to chronic rejection. In contrast, a 6-month ASKP1240 maintenance monotherapy efficiently suppressed both cellular and humoral alloimmune responses and prevented rejection on the hepatic allograft. No serious side effects, including thromboembolic complications, were noted in the ASKP1240-treated monkeys. We conclude that CD40 blockade by ASKP1240 would be a desirable immunosuppressant for clinical liver transplantation.

Analyses of laboratory data and establishment of reference values and intervals for healthy elderly people

OBJECTIVE

Protein-energy malnutrition is a common disorder in the elderly. Although serum albumin is commonly used as a nutritional marker, data is lacking on serum albumin levels in the elderly. The purpose of this study was to determine whether serum albumin levels decrease with advancing age and to establish reference value and interval of laboratory data for elderly people (75 years and over).

PARTICIPANTS

Blood samples from 13821 healthy people, 42064 outpatients, and 15959 inpatients were collected during 2008. Blood from 127 of our nutrition support team (NST) patients was also collected during August 2006 and May 2009, and analyzed.

MEASUREMENTS

Serum albumin, hemoglobin, total cholesterol levels and lymphocyte count were determined. We analyzed the change in each parameter in accordance with age, compared the data for elderly people with younger people, and established new reference values. Clinical outcomes were examined depending on the improved reference values.

RESULTS

Albumin was lower in older persons than in younger persons. The estimated reference value and interval were 42 (48-36) g/l in older persons and was much lower in NST patients. Hemoglobin was decreased while cholesterol and lymphocyte count were not changed in older persons: all were markedly decreased in NST patients. Terms of hospital stay were significantly longer and mortality rates were significantly higher in older persons, comparing from above to below using a new reference value of albumin (36 g/l).

CONCLUSIONS

The serum albumin level decreases with advancing age, but it was maintained to some extent in healthy older people. Serum albumin levels related to the clinical outcome. Hemoglobin and cholesterol levels and lymphocyte count were all lower in NST patients. These measurements may be valuable markers of nutritional status and can help in guiding the need for nutritional support.