An international cohort study of cancer in systemic lupus erythematosus

Musculoskeletal syndromes associated with malignancy (excluding hypertrophic osteoarthropathy)

PURPOSE OF REVIEW

To examine recent data about the association between rheumatic disorders and cancer. This article focuses on paraneoplastic rheumatic disorders, which usually precede by a short period of time the diagnosis of malignancy, and on malignant transformation, which occurs late in the course of rheumatic disorders. Evidence of causality between malignancies and rheumatic disorders was reviewed based on statistical indicators (standardized incidence ratios and odds ratios) and by applying Bradford Hill's criteria of causality.

RECENT FINDINGS

Firm epidemiological evidence was found attesting that dermatomyositis and polymyostis may present as paraneoplastic syndromes. Several other musculoskeletal disorders may be present akin to paraneoplastic syndrome, based on clinicians' impressions, but with scarce epidemiological evidence supporting a causal determinism. In contrast, robust evidence has accumulated on the role of longstanding rheumatoid arthritis, Sjögren's syndrome and systemic sclerosis as premalignant conditions. Evidence that systemic lupus erythematosus may evolve into lymphoma is equivocal.

SUMMARY

The link between malignancies and rheumatic disorders may impact on clinical practice. First, paraneoplastic rheumatic syndromes can provide the clinician with hints for earlier diagnosis of occult cancer. Second, the risk of malignant transformation during the course of rheumatic disorders may motivate the search for strategies aimed at prevention.

Systemic lupus erythematosus and breast cancer

There is evidence that certain connective tissue diseases such as scleroderma are associated with an increased risk of malignancy. Although it has been claimed that systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) carries an increased risk of breast cancer, review of the available literature suggests that this is not the case, or, any increase is very small. Women with SLE do not need to be under close surveillance for breast cancer. In patients suffering from both SLE and breast cancer, radiotherapy has been regarded as relatively contraindicated because of fears concerning early and late complications. This view is not supported by the available literature and the majority of such cases can be treated by standard breast-conserving therapy, including breast irradiation.

EULAR recommendations for the management of systemic lupus erythematosus. Report of a Task Force of the EULAR Standing Committee for International Clinical Studies Including Therapeutics

OBJECTIVE

Systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) is a complex disease with variable presentations, course and prognosis. We sought to develop evidence-based recommendations addressing the major issues in the management of SLE.

METHODS

The EULAR Task Force on SLE comprised 19 specialists and a clinical epidemiologist. Key questions for the management of SLE were compiled using the Delphi technique. A systematic search of PubMed and Cochrane Library Reports was performed using McMaster/Hedges clinical queries' strategies for questions related to the diagnosis, prognosis, monitoring and treatment of SLE. For neuropsychiatric, pregnancy and antiphospholipid syndrome questions, the search was conducted using an array of relevant terms. Evidence was categorised based on sample size and type of design, and the categories of available evidence were identified for each recommendation. The strength of recommendation was assessed based on the category of available evidence, and agreement on the statements was measured across the 19 specialists.

RESULTS

Twelve questions were generated regarding the prognosis, diagnosis, monitoring and treatment of SLE, including neuropsychiatric SLE, pregnancy, the antiphospholipid syndrome and lupus nephritis. The evidence to support each proposition was evaluated and scored. After discussion and votes, the final recommendations were presented using brief statements. The average agreement among experts was 8.8 out of 10.

CONCLUSION

Recommendations for the management of SLE were developed using an evidence-based approach followed by expert consensus with high level of agreement among the experts.

The relationship between cancer and medication exposures in systemic lupus erythaematosus: a case-cohort study

OBJECTIVE

To examine if, in systemic lupus erythaematosus (SLE), exposure to immunosuppressive therapy (cyclophosphamide, azathioprine, methotrexate) increases cancer risk.

METHODS

A case-cohort study was performed within a multi-site international SLE cohort; subjects were linked to regional tumour registries to determine cancer cases occurring after entry into the cohort. We calculated the hazard ratio (HR) for cancer after exposure to an immunosuppressive drug, in models that controlled for other medications (anti-malarial drugs, systemic glucocorticoids, non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs), aspirin), smoking, age, sex, race/ethnicity, geographic location, calendar year, SLE duration, and lupus damage scores. In the primary analyses, exposures were treated categorically (ever/never) and as time-dependent.

RESULTS

Results are presented from 246 cancer cases and 538 controls without cancer. The adjusted HR for overall cancer risk after any immunosuppressive drug was 0.82 (95% CI 0.50-1.36). Age > or = 65, and the presence of non-malignancy damage were associated with overall cancer risk. For lung cancer (n = 35 cases), smoking was also a prominent risk factor. When looking at haematological cancers specifically (n = 46 cases), there was a suggestion of an increased risk after immunosuppressive drug exposures, particularly when these were lagged by a period of 5 years (adjusted HR 2.29, 95% CI 1.02-5.15).

CONCLUSIONS

In our SLE sample, age > or = 65, damage, and tobacco exposure were associated with cancer risk. Though immunosuppressive therapy may not be the principal driving factor for overall cancer risk, it may contribute to an increased risk of haematological malignancies. Future studies are in progress to evaluate independent influence of medication exposures and disease activity on risk of malignancy.

A closer look at non-Hodgkin's lymphoma cases in a national Swedish systemic lupus erythematosus cohort: a nested case-control study

OBJECTIVE

To investigate risk factors for non-Hodgkin's lymphoma (NHL) and analyse NHL subtypes and characteristics in patients with systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE).

METHODS

A national SLE cohort identified through SLE discharge diagnoses in the Swedish hospital discharge register during 1964 to 1995 (n = 6438) was linked to the national cancer register. A nested case control study on SLE patients who developed NHL during this observation period was performed with SLE patients without malignancy as controls. Medical records from cases and controls were reviewed. Tissue specimens on which the lymphoma diagnosis was based were retrieved and reclassified according to the WHO classification. NHLs of the subtype diffuse large B cell lymphoma (DLBCL) were subject to additional immunohistochemical staining using antibodies against bcl-6, CD10 and IRF-4 for further subclassification into germinal centre (GC) or non-GC subtypes.

RESULTS

16 patients with SLE had NHL, and the DLBCL subtype dominated (10 cases). The 5-year overall survival and mean age at NHL diagnosis were comparable with NHL in the general population-50% and 61 years, respectively. Cyclophosphamide or azathioprine use did not elevate lymphoma risk, but the risk was elevated if haematological or sicca symptoms, or pulmonary involvement was present in the SLE disease. Two patients had DLBCL-GC subtype and an excellent prognosis.

CONCLUSIONS

NHL in this national SLE cohort was predominated by the aggressive DLBCL subtype. The prognosis of NHL was comparable with that of the general lymphoma population. There were no indications of treatment-induced lymphomas. Molecular subtyping could be a helpful tool to predict prognosis also in SLE patients with DLBCL.

Multistep pathogenesis of autoimmune disease

In the immune system, many tolerance checkpoints exist to prevent self-antigens from stimulating the relentless growth of self-reactive B and T lymphocytes. The genes and molecular pathways underpinning these checkpoints overlap with those involved in tumor suppression. As with an inherited predisposition to cancer, inherited defects in self-tolerance genes typically precipitate autoimmune disease stochastically after a latent phase. Multiple mutations, inherited and somatic, may be needed before a self-reactive clone bypasses sequential tolerance checkpoints resulting in the emergence of autoimmune disease.

B-cell lymphoproliferation in chronic inflammatory rheumatic diseases

Patients with chronic inflammatory rheumatic diseases, such as rheumatoid arthritis (RA), systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE), and especially primary Sjögren's syndrome (SS), are at higher risk than the general population of developing B-cell non-Hodgkin lymphoma (NHL). Analyses of the association between various lymphoma subtypes and specific disease entities suggest that this association might be mediated by disease-specific mechanisms, as well as by mechanisms unique to lymphoma subtype. These specific associations can provide important information about abnormal B-cell stimulation in these conditions. Patients with primary SS, SLE and RA are at high risk of developing diffuse large B-cell lymphomas, a group of high-grade NHLs with remarkable heterogeneity. Patients with primary SS are at particularly high risk of developing marginal-zone B-cell lymphomas. The risk factors of lymphoma development in primary SS seem to be closely related to the underlying mechanisms of abnormal stimulation and/or impaired censoring mechanisms of B cells. In patients with RA and SLE, more intense disease activity and/or long-lasting disease might be indications of a higher risk of lymphoma development. This Review will focus on the risk of lymphoma, common and disease-specific mechanisms of B-cell lymphoma development, and on the clinical consequences of lymphoma in patients with inflammatory rheumatic diseases.

Successful rituximab-CHOP treatment of systemic lupus erythematosus associated with diffuse large B-cell non-Hodgkin lymphoma

The authors discuss the case of a 76-year-old female patient who has been suffering from subacute cutaneous lupus erythematosus since 1983. In 1999 she was diagnosed with systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) based on her symptoms of malar rash, polyarthritis, leukopenia, autoimmune hemolytic anemia and positive anti-DNA antibody test. For this she received methylprednisolone and cyclophosphamide. After 3 years of remission, symptoms of cutaneous vasculitis appeared in 2004, which transitionally responded to treatment with azathioprin and methylprednisolone. Her cutaneous symptoms, however, progressed quickly along with generalized lymphadenopathy, splenomegaly and thrombocytopenia. Immunohistological evaluation of the lymph node biopsy showed diffuse large B-cell lymphoma. She developed complete remission after treatment with six-cycle R-CHOP (rituximab, and reduced doses of cyclophosphamide, vincristin, adriablastin, methylprednisolone). SLE became inactive and her symptoms of vasculitis resolved. The authors are bringing attention to one of the possible late complications of systemic lupus, and also underscoring that treatment with rituximab (+CHOP) was beneficial not only for the lymphoma but the SLE as well.

Antimalarials may influence the risk of malignancy in systemic lupus erythematosus

BACKGROUND

Recent studies suggest that antimalarials have antineoplastic properties.

OBJECTIVE

To investigate whether antimalarials decrease the risk of cancer in systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE).

METHODS

An observational prospective cohort study was carried out. 235 patients were included in the study at the time of diagnosis (American College of Rheumatology criteria). The end point was the diagnosis of cancer. Kaplan-Meier cancer-free survival curves for patients treated and not treated with antimalarials were compared. A Cox proportional hazards model was fitted, with cancer as the dependent variable. Age at diagnosis, gender, treatment with azathioprine, cyclophosphamide and methotrexate, smoking, Systemic Lupus International Collaborating Clinics (SLICC) Damage Index 6 months after diagnosis, year of diagnosis and treatment with antimalarials were entered as independent variables.

RESULTS

209 (89%) patients were women. 233 (99%) patients were white. Mean (SD) age at diagnosis was 37 (16) years. Median (range) follow-up was 10 (1-31) years. 156 (66%) patients had ever received antimalarials. 2/156 (1.3%) ever-treated patients compared with 11/79 (13%) never-treated patients had cancer (p<0.001). Cumulative cancer-free survival in treated and not treated patients was 0.98 and 0.73, respectively (p<0.001). Adjusted hazard ratio for cancer among malaria drug users compared with non-users was 0.15 (95% CI 0.02 to 0.99).

CONCLUSIONS

This study launches the hypothesis of a protective action of antimalarials against cancer in patients with SLE. This effect should be confirmed in larger multicentre studies.

Occurrence of Malignancies in Hungarian Patients with Systemic Lupus Erythematosus: Results from a Single Center

As a result of increasing life expectancy of lupus patients, malignant disorders have become major determinants of morbidity and mortality. The objectives of this study were to analyze cancer-associated morbidity and mortality, the type of malignancies in Hungarian lupus patients, and to analyze association with immune-suppressive therapy, disease duration, and age of the patients. Data from 860 systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) patients were retrospectively analyzed in a study period between 1970 and 2004. Results were compared to data from age- and sex-matched population obtained from the Health for All database, and also to literature data. A total of 37 patients presented with cancer, reflecting 4.3% cancer-associated morbidity. Patients were 47 (20-73) years old at the onset of malignancy, which appeared 13 (1-45) years later than SLE. Cancer prevalence was the highest in the first 5-10 years of lupus. Breast cancer was the most common malignancy (n = 11) followed by gastrointestinal tumors (n = 9), cervix cancer and hematologic malignancies (n = 5 for both), bronchial cancer (n = 4), bladder, skin, and ovarian cancer (n = 1 for each). Standardized incidence ratio was the highest for non-Hodgkin lymphoma (standardized incidence ratio [SIR] 3.5, 95% CI 0.4-12.5) and cervix cancer (SIR 1.7, 95% CI 0.6-4.1). Although 76% of patients with cancer received immune-suppressive therapy besides corticosteroids, no direct correlation could be confirmed between therapy and malignancy. Out of the 164 patients that expired during the study period, 18 were cancer-related. As such the cancer-associated mortality was 11% (18/164). This peaked during the last 4 years of the study period (8/24, 33%). Lupus patients are at high risk for particular types of malignant disorders, highlighting the importance of screening measures and focused patient examination.

Histological diversity of reactive and atypical proliferative lymph node lesions in systemic lupus erythematosus patients

Localized or generalized lymphadenopathy, which may be associated with systemic symptoms such as fever, is frequently found in patients with systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE). Histologically, the lymph node lesion is characterized by varying degrees of coagulative necrosis with hematoxylin bodies or reactive follicular hyperplasia. The former histology is unique to SLE, but is rarely seen in biopsied specimens. In this review, we describe a histologic variation of SLE lymphadenopathy based on the findings of our own cases, and discuss several problems related to the differential diagnosis of various benign and malignant lymphoproliferative disorders (LPDs). Among 33 cases we encountered, 17 (51%) cases exhibited atypical LPDs: (i) reactive follicular hyperplasia with giant follicles (RFHGFs), 3 cases; (ii) histologic findings of Castleman's disease (CD), 5 cases ; (iii) atypical paracortical hyperplasia with lymphoid follicles (APHLFs), 7 cases; and (iv) atypical lymphoplasmacytic and immunoblastic proliferation (ALPIBP), 2 cases. This finding indicates that atypical LPDs frequently appear in SLE. Moreover, the majority of patients with atypical LPDs exhibited follicular hyperplasia (RFHGF, 3 cases; histologic findings of CD, 5 cases; and APHLF, 7 cases). Previously, follicular hyperplasia was usually considered a non-specific change and therefore has received little attention in the literature. However, the present review indicates that reactive follicular hyperplasia in lymph nodes from SLE occasionally poses serious problems in the differential diagnosis of various benign and malignant LPDs. The presence of numerous copies of Epstein-Barr virus was determined by in situ hybridization studies in only two (8%) of the 26 cases examined. As previously suggested, the absence of EBV, as determined by ISH studies, in the majority of LPDs associated with SLE indicates that EBV is not related to the lymphoproliferative process, and suggests that the underlying cause of the patient's lymphadenopathy may reside in the immune deficit of SLE in the majority of reactive and atypical LPDs associated with SLE.

Systemic lupus erythematosus

Systemic lupus erythematosus is an autoimmune connective-tissue disorder with a wide range of clinical features, which predominantly affects women, especially from certain ethnic groups. Diagnosis is based on clinical assessment supported by investigations, including the finding of autoantibodies. Treatments range from antimalarial agents to corticosteroids and immunosuppressive agents. This Seminar draws attention to advances in the epidemiology, genetics, cardiovascular risks, lupus nephritis, CNS disease, the antiphospholipid syndrome, assessment of disease activity and damage, and pregnancy related and quality of life issues. New therapeutic approaches, such as biological agents and mycophenolate mofetil, will also be discussed.

Characteristics of patients with systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) and non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma (NHL)

Patients with systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) are at increased risk of developing non-Hodgkin's lymphoma (NHL), but features of SLE associated with NHL are not well described. The objective of this study was to describe SLE characteristics, laboratory serologies, and medication histories in patients who subsequently develop NHL. Two thousand twenty patients with SLE were identified using the online Partners' patient database research tool between October 1992 and June 2005. We confirmed the diagnoses of SLE and NHL and sought details of medical history and treatment by medical record review. Eleven patients with NHL without coexisting rheumatoid arthritis, Sjögren's, or HIV were identified; seven of these (64%) had a diffuse large B cell lymphoma subtype, and 83% of those stained were Epstein-Barr virus (EBV) negative. The mean duration of SLE at NHL diagnosis was 17.8 years (range 1.6-41.8), and the mean Systemic Lupus International Collaborative Clinics/American College of Rheumatology damage index was 1.9. Seven patients (64%) had SLE hematologic involvement, four had anti-dsDNA antibodies, and four had anti-phospholipid antibodies. One patient had significant renal disease. All patients had arthritis and had received antimalarial therapy. Five of 11 patients had received other treatments for SLE, including cyclophosphamide, imuran, methotrexate, and/or sulfasalazine. Diffuse large B cell lymphoma was the most common subtype of NHL, and most were EBV negative. Although disease duration was fairly long and end organ damage moderately severe in this group of patients, renal disease and the use of immunosuppressive chemotherapeutic agents were rare and did not appear to confer an increased risk of NHL development.

Mortality related to cerebrovascular disease in systemic lupus erythematosus

The objective of this study was to examine mortality rates related to cerebrovascular disease in systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) compared to the general population. Our sample was a multisite Canadian SLE cohort (10 centres, n = 2688 patients). Deaths due to cerebrovascular disease were ascertained by vital statistics registry linkage using ICD diagnostic codes. Standardized mortality ratio (SMR, ratio of deaths observed to expected) estimates were calculated. The total SMR for death due to cerebrovascular disease was 2.0 (95% confidence interval [CI] 1.0, 3.7). When considering specific types of events, the category with the greatest increased risk was that of ill-defined cerebrovascular events (SMR 44.9 95% CI 9.3, 131.3) and other cerebrovascular disease (SMR 8.4, 95% CI 2.3, 21.6). Deaths due to cerebral infarctions appeared to be less common than hemorrhages and other types of cerebrovascular events. Our data suggest an increase in mortality related to cerebrovascular disease in SLE patients compared to the general population. The large increase in ill-defined cerebrovascular events may represent cases of cerebral vasculitis or other rare forms of nervous system disease; alternately, it may reflect diagnostic uncertainty regarding the etiology of some clinical presentations in SLE patients. The suggestion that more deaths are attributed to cerebral hemorrhage, as opposed to infarction, indicates that inherent or iatrogenic factors (eg, thrombocytopenia or anticoagulation) may be important. In view of the paucity of large-scale studies of mortality attributed to neuropsychiatric outcomes in SLE, our findings highlight the need for additional research in large SLE cohorts.

Lung cancer in systemic lupus erythematosus

BACKGROUND

Evidence points to a link between systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) and an increased risk of lung cancer. Our objective was to provide a brief report of the lung cancer cases from an SLE cohort, with respect to demographics, histology, and exposures to smoking and immunosuppressive medications.

METHODS

Data were obtained from a multi-site international cohort study of over 9500 SLE patients from 23 centres. Cancer cases were ascertained through linkage with regional tumor registries.

RESULTS

We analyzed information on histology subtype for 30 lung cancer cases that had occurred across five countries. Most (75%) of these 30 cases were female, with a median age of 61 (range 27-91) years. In eight cases, the histological type was not specified. In the remainder, the most common histological type reported was adenocarcinoma (N=8; two of the adenocarcinomas were bronchoalveolar carcinoma) followed by small cell carcinoma (N=6), and squamous cell carcinoma (N=6) with one case each of large cell carcinoma and carcinoid tumor. Most (71%) of the lung cancer cases were smokers; only the minority (20%) had been previously exposed to immunosuppressive agents.

CONCLUSIONS

The histological distribution of the lung cancers from the SLE sample appeared similar to that of lung cancer patients in the general population, though the possibility of a higher proportion of more uncommon tumors (such as bronchoalveolar and carcinoid) cannot be excluded. A large proportion of the cancer cases were smokers, which is also not surprising. However, only a minority appeared to have been exposed to immunosuppressive agents. A large case-cohort study currently in progress should help shed light on the relative importance of these exposures in lung cancer risk for SLE patients.

Systemically Disseminated Extranodal Marginal Zone B-Cell Lymphoma of Lacrimal Gland in a Patient With Systemic Lupus Erythematosus

A 33-year-old woman with systemic lupus erythematosus had bilateral eyelid swelling. On examination, bilateral lacrimal gland mass were palpable. The morphologic and the immunohistochemical features were supportive of the diagnosis of extranodal marginal zone B-cell lymphoma of mucosa-associated lymphoid tissue-type (MALT lymphoma). Further systemic evaluation revealed she had clinical stage IV disease with bone marrow involvement. She underwent local radiotherapy and several cycles of chemotherapy. However, the patient died of sepsis with the disease after 48 months. Systemically disseminated MALT lymphoma presenting initially in the lacrimal gland of a patient with systemic lupus erythematosus is rare, and the prognosis is poor.

Serum immunoglobulin free light chain assessment in rheumatoid arthritis and primary Sjogren's syndrome

BACKGROUND

B cell activation may result in an increased secretion of immunoglobulin free light chains (FLCs) in autoimmune diseases.

OBJECTIVE

To analyse serum FLC levels in patients with rheumatoid arthritis and in those with primary Sjögren's syndrome (pSS).

PATIENTS AND METHODS

Blood samples were collected from 80 healthy blood donors, 50 patients with rheumatoid arthritis and 139 patients with pSS. Serum FLC level was measured using a new quantitative immunoassay.

RESULTS

Mean (standard error (SE)) serum kappa and lambda FLC levels were significantly higher in patients with rheumatoid arthritis and in those with pSS than in controls (kappa : 18.9 (1.1) and 16.3 (1.4) v 10.5 (0.4) mg/l, p<0.001 and p = 0.001, respectively; lambda: 16.7 (1.2) and 19.3 (1.5) v 11.6 (0.6) mg/l, p<0.001 for both). 18 (36%) patients with rheumatoid arthritis and 31 (22.3%) patients with pSS had abnormal serum FLC levels (increased kappa or lambda levels and abnormal ratio of kappa:lambda). Serum kappa and lambda levels were correlated with other B cell activation markers in both diseases. FLC levels increased with disease activity, because, unlike total gammaglobulin and immunoglobulin G levels, they were significantly correlated with Disease Activity Score 28 in patients with rheumatoid arthritis (p = 0.004 for kappa, p = 0.05 for lambda) and with extraglandular involvement in pSS (p = 0.01 for kappa, p = 0.04 for lambda).

CONCLUSION

FLC levels are increased and correlate with disease activity in patients with rheumatoid arthritis and in those with pSS, two diseases in which increased risk of lymphoma could result from persistent B cell activation and disease activity. Further studies are required to determine whether FLC assessment could represent a relevant biomarker for response to treatment (especially B cell depletion) and for the risk of lymphoma in autoimmune diseases.

Lymphoma in a patient with systemic lupus erythematosus

BACKGROUND

A 40-year-old woman with a 10-year history of systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) presented with fever, lymphadenopathy and fatigue. Before that time, her SLE symptoms had been controlled with hydroxychloroquine, NSAIDs, and an occasional short course of moderate-dose prednisone. Two months before presentation, she experienced fevers ranging from 38.3 to 39.7 degrees C, but she had no specific symptoms that suggested local infection.

INVESTIGATIONS

Physical examination, multiple blood cultures, and laboratory investigations that included the following tests: hemoglobin concentration; erythrocyte sedimentation rate; C-reactive protein level; serum lactate dehydrogenase level; aspartate aminotransferase level; alanine aminotransferase level; serum complement C3 and C4 levels; white-blood-cell count; platelet count; urinalysis; serum creatinine level; CT of the chest and abdomen; bone-marrow biopsy; serum electrophoresis; and tests for Epstein-Barr virus, cytomegalovirus, hepatitis B virus, hepatitis C virus, HIV-1, antinuclear antibodies, antibodies to Smith antigen, antibodies to double-stranded DNA, and antibodies to Ro and La.

DIAGNOSIS

Stage IVB diffuse large B-cell lymphoma with marrow and liver involvement concurrent with SLE.

MANAGEMENT

The patient promptly underwent chemotherapy, receiving three courses of 3 mg/m(2) vindesine on day 1, 1,500 mg/m(2) cyclophosphamide and 80 mg/m(2) doxorubicin on day 2, and 50 mg/m(2) prednisolone on days 1-5.

Renal MALToma: an unusual lymphoma in a patient with lupus

Non-Hodgkin's Lymphomas (NHL) have been reported in association with autoimmune disorders particularly Sjogren's syndrome. We report a case of renal MALToma, an unusual NHL in an 84-year-old Caucasian lady with long-standing, non-aggressive Systemic Lupus Erythematosis with no associated Sjorgen's syndrome and who never received cytotoxics.

Malignant lymphomas in autoimmunity and inflammation: a review of risks, risk factors, and lymphoma characteristics

Certain autoimmune and chronic inflammatory conditions, such as Sjögren's syndrome and rheumatoid arthritis (RA), have consistently been associated with an increased risk of malignant lymphomas, but it is unclear whether elevated lymphoma risk is a phenomenon that accompanies inflammatory conditions in general. Likewise, it is debated whether the increased risk identified in association with some disorders pertains equally to all individuals or whether it varies among groups of patients with different phenotypic or treatment-related characteristics. It is similarly unclear to what extent the increased lymphoma occurrence is mediated through specific lymphoma subtypes. This update reviews the many findings on risks, risk levels, and lymphoma characteristics that have been presented recently in relation to a broad range of chronic inflammatory, including autoimmune, conditions. Recent results clearly indicate an association between severity of chronic inflammation and lymphoma risk in RA and Sjögren's syndrome. Thus, the average risk of lymphoma in RA may be composed of a markedly increased risk in those with most severe disease and little or no increase in those with mild or moderate disease. The roles of immunosuppressive therapy and EBV infection seem to be limited. Furthermore, RA, Sjögren's syndrome, systemic lupus erythematosus, and possibly celiac disease may share an association with risk of diffuse large B-cell lymphoma, in addition to well-established links of Sjögren's syndrome with risk of mucosa-associated lymphoid tissue lymphoma and of celiac disease with risk of small intestinal lymphoma. However, there is also obvious heterogeneity in risk and risk mediators among different inflammatory diseases.

Development of Autoimmunity in IL-14α-Transgenic Mice

Multiple genetic loci contribute to the development of systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE). In murine models for SLE, various genes on chromosome four have been implicated. IL-14 is a cytokine originally identified as a B cell growth factor. The il14 gene is located on chromosome 4. IL-14alpha is a cytokine encoded by the plus strand of the IL-14 gene using exons 3-10. The expression of IL-14alpha is increased in (NZB x NZW)F1 mice. In this study, we produced IL-14alpha-transgenic mice to study the role of IL-14alpha in the development of autoimmunity. At age 3-9 mo, IL-14alpha-transgenic mice demonstrate increased numbers of B1 cells in the peritoneum, increased serum IgM, IgG, and IgG 2a and show enhanced responses to T-dependent and T-independent Ags compared with littermate controls. At age 9-17 mo, IL-14alpha-transgenic mice develop autoantibodies, sialadenitis, as in Sjögren's syndrome, and immune complex-mediated nephritis, as in World Health Organization class II SLE nephritis. Between the ages 14-18 mo, 95% of IL-14alpha-transgenic mice developed CD5+ B cell lymphomas, consistent with the lymphomas seen in elderly patients with Sjögren's syndrome and SLE. These data support a role for IL-14alpha in the development of both autoimmunity and lymphomagenesis. These studies may provide a genetic link between these often related disorders.

Mortality in systemic lupus erythematosus

OBJECTIVE

To examine mortality rates in the largest systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) cohort ever assembled.

METHODS

Our sample was a multisite international SLE cohort (23 centers, 9,547 patients). Deaths were ascertained by vital statistics registry linkage. Standardized mortality ratio (SMR; ratio of deaths observed to deaths expected) estimates were calculated for all deaths and by cause. The effects of sex, age, SLE duration, race, and calendar-year periods were determined.

RESULTS

The overall SMR was 2.4 (95% confidence interval 2.3-2.5). Particularly high mortality was seen for circulatory disease, infections, renal disease, non-Hodgkin's lymphoma, and lung cancer. The highest SMR estimates were seen in patient groups characterized by female sex, younger age, SLE duration <1 year, or black/African American race. There was a dramatic decrease in total SMR estimates across calendar-year periods, which was demonstrable for specific causes including death due to infections and death due to renal disorders. However, the SMR due to circulatory diseases tended to increase slightly from the 1970s to the year 2001.

CONCLUSION

Our data from a very large multicenter international cohort emphasize what has been demonstrated previously in smaller samples. These results highlight the increased mortality rate in SLE patients compared with the general population, and they suggest particular risk associated with female sex, younger age, shorter SLE duration, and black/African American race. The risk for certain types of deaths, primarily related to lupus activity (such as renal disease), has decreased over time, while the risk for deaths due to circulatory disease does not appear to have diminished.

Long-term prognosis and causes of death in systemic lupus erythematosus

PURPOSE

We studied survival rate, prognostic factors, and causes of death in patients with systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE), particularly focusing on the influence of disease severity.

PATIENTS AND METHODS

A cohort of 207 consecutive Italian patients with SLE were prospectively studied. All prominent clinical and serologic parameters were evaluated and considered as prognostic risk factors. Causes of death were defined on the basis of clinical data and, when available, postmortem examination. Survival was calculated from the time of diagnosis by Kaplan-Meier method.

RESULTS

A total of 17 of 207 patients died; causes of death were active disease manifestations in 35.3% of cases and complication of the disease or its treatment in 64.7% of cases. The survival rates at 5, 10, and 15 years after the diagnosis were 96%, 93% and 76%, respectively. By multivariate analysis of the risk factors, a predictive model consisting of male gender, positive lupus anticoagulant, and "severe" SLE was identified. The survival curve of the patients with severe disease was similar to that of patients with mild disease until 10 to 15 years from the diagnosis. Thereafter the two curves tended to diverge, showing a clear survival decline in patients with severe disease.

CONCLUSIONS

Our study confirms the increase of short- and medium-term survival in patients with SLE, but long-term prognosis remains poor in patients with severe SLE manifestations.

Autoantigens: the critical partner in initiating and propagating systemic autoimmunity

The increasing recognition that cancer is frequently associated with an autoantibody response, and observations that systemic autoimmunity is sometimes associated with the diagnosis of a variety of malignancies (many detected near the onset of autoimmune disease), strongly underscore a potential mechanistic connection between cancer immunity and systemic autoimmunity. Accumulating data suggest that autoantigens are critical partners in driving the autoimmune response. Furthermore, unique changes in antigen expression and conformation in the immunizing tumor and the target tissue may play a role in antigen selection and ongoing damage. This construct has important implications for diagnosis, monitoring, and treatment of autoimmunity and, potentially, cancer immunotherapy.

Lymphoma and other malignancies in primary Sjögren's syndrome: a cohort study on cancer incidence and lymphoma predictors

OBJECTIVES

To assess the risk of lymphoproliferative disease or other malignancy (standardised incidence ratios (SIRs)), in patients with primary Sjögren's syndrome according to the American-European Consensus Criteria (AECC), compared with patients with sicca syndrome (non-AECC) and the background population. To identify predictors of malignancy and describe lymphoma types and survival probabilities.

METHODS

A linked register study using information from the Malmö Primary SS Register, Swedish Cancer Register, and Cause-of-Death Register for calculation of SIRs was carried out. Detected lymphomas were reclassified according to the WHO classification. Cox regression analysis was used to study the predictive value of clinical, laboratory, and histological findings at the time of diagnosis.

RESULTS

507 patients with a median follow up of 8 years (range 1 month to 19 years) were included. SIRs (95% confidence interval (CI)) for malignancies in total and for non-Hodgkin's lymphomas (NHL) were 1.42 (0.98 to 2.00) and 15.57 (7.77 to 27.85), respectively, in those fulfilling the AECC (n = 286). In non-AECC sicca patients (n = 221) SIR for malignancy of any kind was 0.77 (0.41 to 1.32); no lymphoproliferative neoplasms were detected. Significant predictors of lymphoproliferative disease were purpura/skin vasculitis (hazard ratio (HR) = 4.64, 95% CI 1.13 to 16.45), low complement factor C3 (HR = 6.18, 95% CI 1.57 to 24.22), low C4 (HR = 9.49, 95% CI 1.94 to 46.54), CD4+ T lymphocytopenia (HR = 8.14, 95% CI 2.10 to 31.53), and a low CD4+/CD8+ T cell ratio < or = 0.8 (HR = 10.92, 95% CI 2.80 to 41.83). 7/12 (58%) NHLs were diffuse large B cell lymphomas.

CONCLUSION

A 16-fold increased risk for development of NHL was found. CD4+ T lymphocytopenia is an additional strong risk factor for developing lymphoma.

Characteristics and long-term outcome of 15 episodes of systemic lupus erythematosus-associated hemophagocytic syndrome

Reactive hemophagocytic syndrome (HS) occurs mainly in the setting of serious infections and lymphomas. HS can occur in the course of 2 active systemic diseases, without simultaneous infection: adult Still disease and systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE). Observations of specific lupus-associated HS are rare, and the long-term outcome of these patients with active SLE is unknown. We retrospectively studied 15 episodes of SLE-associated HS in 12 patients (10 women, 2 men) and noted the long-term outcome. HS occurred at a mean age of 25 years. All patients were febrile with >or=2 cytopenias, and bone marrow aspiration indicated hemophagocytosis. HS revealed SLE in 9 patients and recurred in 3. The main features of SLE-associated HS were a low frequency of hepatosplenomegaly, a high frequency of heart involvement (5 pericarditis, 4 myocarditis requiring transfer to intensive care unit), and a low C-reactive protein level (mean, 15 mg/L). Cutaneous-mucous symptoms of SLE, arthritis, and nephritis were present respectively in 8 (53%), 6 (40%), and 4 (27%) episodes, but symptoms of SLE were absent in 4 episodes at admission. All patients had anti-nuclear antibodies when the HS occurred. Anti-double-stranded DNA antibodies were present in 12 episodes. Treatment was steroids in 14 cases but cyclophosphamide was the only treatment able to control HS in 2 cases. All the cases of SLE-associated HS were controlled by the immunosuppressive regimen. Intravenous immunoglobulins seemed poorly effective. No infectious agent was found. Clinical presentations of the 23 patients with SLE-associated HS described in the literature were reviewed and were similar to those of the current series. The mean follow-up was 88 months (range, 7-240 mo). One patient died at 15 months (sepsis). Among the 5 patients with a follow-up >8 years, 4 always had active disease. During the follow-up of SLE, immunosuppressive drugs were added in 8 patients (cyclophosphamide in 7, azathioprine in 3, mycophenolate mofetil in 2) with significant adverse drug reactions. In the long-term, SLE-associated HS seems to define a severe SLE form with frequent flares, possible HS recurrences, and the need for prolonged immunosuppression.

Revisiting the issue of malignancy risk in systemic lupus erythematosus

Certain cancers occur more frequently in systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) as compared with the general population, as recent data substantiates. The risk appears to be most heightened for lymphoma. Several pathogenic mechanisms may explain these observations, although little is definitively known. One particular concern relates to whether cancer risk in SLE is increased by medication exposures. Cooperative efforts to evaluate this have been undertaken by the Systemic Lupus International Collaborating Clinics and the Canadian Network for Improved Outcomes in Systemic Lupus research groups. This and other works in progress will, it is hoped, considerably advance the knowledge regarding the association between autoimmune diseases and malignancy.

Malignancy and autoimmunity

PURPOSE OF REVIEW

The association of cancer with autoimmune disease has been under investigation for several years. Reports have appeared suggesting increased cancer risk in autoimmune rheumatic diseases. Evidence has been accumulating recently in rheumatoid arthritis, Sjogren's syndrome, systemic lupus erythematosus, and scleroderma/systemic sclerosis. This review focuses on recent publications regarding risk of cancer in these conditions.

RECENT FINDINGS

Despite a lack of a strong association between rheumatoid arthritis and cancer overall, studies show an increased risk for the development of lymphoma in rheumatoid arthritis. There are data suggesting an increased risk for rheumatoid arthritis patients regarding lung cancer. In Sjogren's syndrome-related malignancies, most publications in the past year relate to non-Hodgkin's lymphomas, and suggest possible mechanisms driving the association. Data substantiate an increased risk of certain cancers in systemic lupus erythematosus; the risk appears to be most heightened for lymphoma. A recent cohort study examined cancer risk in scleroderma; the estimates were lower than previous studies had suggested, and the confidence intervals relatively imprecise, making a definitive conclusion difficult.

SUMMARY

There have been several papers published related to cancer in the rheumatic diseases, particularly inflammatory arthritis, Sjogren's syndrome, systemic lupus erythematosus, and scleroderma/systemic sclerosis. Continuing interest in the association between autoimmune rheumatic diseases and malignancy is likely, given the potential impact in terms of understanding both rheumatic diseases and cancer.

Incidence of cancer in a cohort of patients with primary Sjogren's syndrome

OBJECTIVE

To compare the incidence of subsequent cancers in a cohort of patients with primary Sjögren's syndrome (pSS) with that of the general population in the same region of England.

METHODS

A retrospective analysis was carried out on 112 patients who had attended the out-patients department at University College Hospital, London, from 1979 onwards. Patients were followed up from diagnosis of pSS to diagnosis of first subsequent cancer, death, loss to follow-up or 31 December 2003 (the censoring date) to determine the person-years at risk for each individual. The expected numbers of subsequent cancers were calculated from sex-/age-/period-specific rates for the general population of southeast England, derived from registrations at the Thames Cancer Registry. Standardized incidence ratios (SIRs) were then calculated as the ratio of observed to expected numbers of cancers, along with 95% confidence intervals (CIs). Separate analyses were performed for all malignant cancers combined, lymphomas and non-lymphoid cancers.

RESULTS

Among the 112 patients with pSS, 25 developed cancer (either before or after development of pSS), with lymphoma occurring in 11 cases. Nine patients had two cancers. There was a significantly elevated incidence of lymphomas in pSS patients compared with the general population (SIR 37.5, 95% CI 20.7-67.6). For non-lymphoid cancer, the observed increase in incidence was small and not statistically significant (SIR 1.5, 95% CI 0.9-2.6).

CONCLUSION

This study confirms that there is an increased incidence of lymphoma in patients with pSS. An increase in the incidence of other cancers was not proven but the observation that some patients developed more than one cancer raises the possibility that there may be a subgroup of patients who are at greater risk of developing cancer.

[Burkitt's lymphoma in a patient with systemic lupus erythematosus treated with immunosuppressive drugs. A case report]

INTRODUCTION

Neoplasia and lymphoproliferative disorders are sometimes reported in patients with systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE). However, the pathophysiological link between lymphoma and SLE is still a matter of debate. We report a new case of Burkitt's lymphoma occurring in a patient treated with immunosuppressive drugs for SLE.

CASE REPORT

A 38-year-old woman with SLE treated for 10 years with immunosuppressive drugs was admitted for the rapid onset of multiple neuritis with cranial nerves palsy, without extra-neurological involvement. The cerebrospinal fluid was normal. A bone marrow biopsy revealed Burkitt's lymphoma.

CONCLUSION

This is the third case reported of Burkitt's lymphoma occurring in SLE. Here we discuss the data of the literature and the possible pathophysiological links between Burkitt's lymphoma and SLE.

Non-Hodgkin's lymphoma in systemic lupus erythematosus

BACKGROUND

Recent evidence supports an association between systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) and non-Hodgkin's lymphoma (NHL).

OBJECTIVES

To describe demographic factors, subtypes, and survival of patients with SLE who develop NHL.

METHODS

A multi-site cohort of 9547 subjects with definite SLE was assembled. Subjects at each centre were linked to regional tumour registries to determine cancer cases occurring after SLE diagnosis. For the NHL cases ascertained, descriptive statistics were calculated, and NHL subtype frequency and median survival time of patients determined.

RESULTS

42 cases of NHL occurred in the patients with SLE during the 76,948 patient-years of observation. The median age of patients at NHL diagnosis was 57 years. Thirty six (86%) of the 42 patients developing NHL were women, reflecting the female predominance of the cohort. In the patients, aggressive histological subtypes appeared to predominate, with the most commonly identified NHL subtype being diffuse large B cell (11 out of 21 cases for which histological subtype was available). Twenty two of the patients had died a median of 1.2 years after lymphoma diagnosis.

CONCLUSIONS

These data suggest aggressive disease in patients with SLE who develop NHL. Continuing work should provide further insight into the patterns of presentation, prognosis, and aetiology of NHL in SLE.

Exploring the Links Between Systemic Lupus Erythematosus and Cancer

For decades, concern has been mounting that individuals with systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) have increased susceptibility to cancer. Recent data confirm that certain cancers, particularly hematologic, occur more frequently in SLE than in the general population. Numerous pathogenic mechanisms are possible, but hypotheses remain largely speculative. In particular, data are inadequate on how cancer risk in SLE may be related to medication exposures. To evaluate the impact of medication exposures on cancer risk in SLE, cooperative efforts of Systemic Lupus International Collaborating Clinics and Canadian Network for Improved Outcomes in Systemic Lupus are currently in progress. This should provide much-needed insight into the pathogenesis of the association between cancer and SLE.