Comorbidities Drive Outcomes for Both Malignancy-Associated and Non–Malignancy-Associated Hemophagocytic Syndrome

Efficacy of HA330-II column hemoadsorption in Epstein-Barr virus-associated hemophagocytic lymphohistiocytosis combined with liver failure: A case report

BACKGROUND

Hemophagocytic lymphohistiocytosis (HLH) is a severe and potentially deadly condition associated with extensive inflammation and immune activation. Cytokine adsorption may serve as a supportive treatment that can stabilize organ function in affected patients by reducing their circulating cytokines levels. To date, no descriptions of clinical experiences associated with the use of HA330-II column hemoadsorption for the treatment of children affected by HLH have been published.

CASE SUMMARY

We describe the case of an 11-year-old child with Epstein-Barr virus-associated HLH complicated by liver failure. She underwent HA330-II column hemoadsorption and chemotherapy and exhibited reductions in levels of inflammatory cytokines, including interleukin (IL), IL-6, IL-8, IL-10, and interferon-γ. The patient’s condition and laboratory parameters gradually improved with treatment.

CONCLUSION

Hemoadsorption may play an important role in cytokine storm elimination in children with HLH combined with liver failure and consequent multiple organ failure.

Cytokine adsorption therapy in lymphoma-associated hemophagocytic lymphohistiocytosis and allogeneic stem cell transplantation

Lymphoma-associated Hemophagocytic lymphohistiocytosis (HLH) represents a severe complication of disease progression, mediated through cytokine release from the lymphoma cells. Cytokine adsorption may contribute as a supportive treatment to stabilize organ function by reduction of cytokine levels. So far, no experiences of cytokine adsorption and simultaneous stem cell transplantation were published. We report the case of a patient with aggressive lymphoma secondary to chronic lymphocytic leukemia with rapidly progressive HLH (Richter's transformation) upon conditioning chemotherapy prior to allogeneic stem cell transplantation (ASCT). Continuous hemodiafiltration was initiated in the treatment of shock with acute renal failure, lactacidosis and need for high-dose catecholamine therapy, integrating an additional cytokine-adsorbing filter (CytoSorb®) to reduce cytokine levels. This was followed by scheduled allogenic stem cell transplantation. We observed a marked decrease in interleukin-6 plasma levels, associated with a reduced need for vasopressor therapy and organ function stabilization. Hematopoietic engraftment was present at day 14 post-ASCT, leading to disease-free discharge at day 100 post-transplantation. Cytokine adsorption may serve as a safe adjunct to HLH/sepsis treatment during allogeneic stem cell transplantation. Clinical studies are required to make future treatment recommendations.

Comparison between clinical features and prognosis of malignancy- and non-malignancy-associated pediatric hemophagocytic lymphohistiocytosis

BACKGROUND

The differences between the clinical characteristics and survival time in malignancy- and non-malignancy-associated secondary hemophagocytic lymphohistiocytosis (HLH) are unclear. Here, we describe the clinical characteristics, prognostic factors, and survival outcomes of malignancy-associated HLH compared to that of non-malignancy-associated HLH.

METHODS

We retrospectively analyzed 91 pediatric patients with HLH (age < 14 years) at the Affiliated Hospital of Qingdao University Pediatric Department between January 2005 and October 2016. The patients were divided into the malignancy-associated group (n = 22) and non-malignancy-associated group (n = 69, also considered the control group). The clinical features were compared using the Mann-Whitney U and χ² tests. The overall survival time was compared using log rank and Mann-Whitney U tests.

RESULTS

Hemoglobin (HGB; p = 0.004), alanine aminotransferase (ALT; p = 0.002), and aspartate aminotransferase (AST; p = 0.001) levels in the malignancy-associated group differed from that in the non-malignancy-associated group. The mean survival times were 26.9 ± 3.82 months (malignancy-associated HLH) and 35.03 ± 2.19 months (non-malignancy-associated HLH). The overall survival time between the two groups was not statistically significantly different (p = 0.055). Univariate analysis showed that disseminated intravascular coagulation (DIC) score > 5 (p = 0.001), albumin < 25 g/L (p = 0.000), HGB < 60 g/L (p = 0.001), and platelet count (PLT) < 30 × 10⁹/L (p = 0.042) correlated with prognosis. Multivariate Cox analysis showed that albumin < 25 g/L (p = 0.017), HGB < 60 g/L (p = 0.027), and bone marrow hemophagocytosis (p = 0.034) correlated with worse prognosis.

CONCLUSIONS

Patients with non-malignancy-associated HLH do not have better survival, although their prognosis is relatively better in clinical practice. A higher DIC score at diagnosis and lower albumin, HGB, and PLT levels are negative prognostic factors in malignancy-associated HLH.

Macrophage activation syndrome in adults: recent advances in pathophysiology, diagnosis and treatment

Haemophagocytic lymphohistiocytosis (HLH) is a hyperinflammatory syndrome, which if not promptly treated, can lead rapidly to critical illness and death. HLH is termed macrophage activation syndrome (MAS) when associated with rheumatic disease (where it is best characterized in systemic JIA) and secondary HLH (sHLH) when associated with other triggers including malignancy and infection. MAS/sHLH is rare and coupled with its mimicry of other conditions, is underrecognized. These inherent challenges can lead to diagnostic and management challenges in multiple medical specialties including haematology, infectious diseases, critical care and rheumatology. In this review we highlight the pathogenesis of MAS/sHLH including its underlying triggers, key clinical features and diagnostic challenges, prognostic factors and current treatments in adults.

A Case of Recurrent Pregnancy-Induced Adult Onset Familial Hemophagocytic Lymphohistiocytosis

Hemophagocytic lymphohistiocytosis (HLH) is a rare and potentially fatal disease primarily of children, characterized by a severe hyperinflammatory state. We describe a case of adult onset familial HLH with a novel exon 19, c.1607G>T (p.Arg536Leu) heterozygous mutation of the UNC13D gene in a 40-year-old woman who developed HLH during her first and second pregnancies, both episodes occurring during the first trimester. Our patient was treated successfully both times with HLH-94 protocol following spontaneous abortions and is currently in the process of getting a bone marrow transplant. We also discuss pregnancy as a potential trigger for late onset familial HLH.

Proliferation through activation: hemophagocytic lymphohistiocytosis in hematologic malignancy

Hemophagocytic lymphohistiocytosis (HLH) is a syndrome of cytokine-driven immune activation. Cardinal features include fever, hemophagocytosis, hepatosplenomegaly, lymphocytic infiltration, and hypercytokinemia that result in multisystem organ dysfunction and failure. Familial HLH is genetically driven, whereas secondary HLH (SHL) is caused by drugs, autoimmune disease, infection, or cancer. SHL is associated with worse outcomes, with a median overall survival typically of less than 1 year. This reflects difficulty in both diagnostic accuracy and in establishing reliable treatments, especially in cases of malignancy-induced SHL, which have significantly worse outcomes. Malignancy-induced HLH is seen almost exclusively with hematologic malignancies, constituting 97% of cases in the literature over the past 2 years. In these situations, the native immune response driven by CD8 T cells produces an overabundance of T helper 1 cytokines, notably interferon-γ, tumor necrosis factor-α, and interleukin-6, which establish a positive feedback loop of inflammation, enhancing replication of hematologic malignancies while leaving the host immune system in disarray. In this paper, we present 2 case studies of secondary HLH driven by HM, followed by a review of the literature discussing the cytokines driving HLH, diagnostic criteria, and current treatments used or undergoing investigation.