CD5-Positive Primary Intraocular B-Cell Lymphoma Arising during Methotrexate and Tumor Necrosis Factor Inhibitor Treatment

A CASE OF EPSTEIN-BARR VIRUS-ASSOCIATED PRIMARY VITREORETINAL LYMPHOMA IN AN IMMUNOSUPPRESSED PATIENT

PURPOSE

To describe a rare case of Epstein-Barr virus (EBV)-positive primary vitreoretinal lymphoma in an immunosuppressed patient.

METHODS

Observational case report.

RESULTS

A 64-year-old man under immunosuppressive therapy for rheumatic arthritis was referred for 2 months of blurred vision and decreased visual acuity in the right eye. Only mutton-fat keratic precipitates and mild vitreous opacity were found in the right eye without (sub)retinal or sub-retinal pigment epithelial lesions. Vitreous biopsy and systemic workup suggested the diagnosis of primary vitreoretinal lymphoma of diffuse large B-cell lymphoma subform. Neoplastic cells stained positive for EBV antigens, EBV-encoded small RNA, and Epstein-Barr nuclear antigen 2, consistent with EBV-positive diffuse large B-cell lymphoma. Intravitreal methotrexate was effective in improving ocular symptoms.

CONCLUSION

The case provided evidence on the association of EBV infection with primary vitreoretinal lymphoma.

Efficacy of golimumab in patients with refractory non-infectious panuveitis

This study investigated the efficacy of golimumab in the management of refractory non-infectious panuveitis. Nineteen patients (38 eyes; mean age, 31 years) were retrospectively reviewed between June 2016 and June 2022. All patients had bilateral eye involvement and Behçet's disease was the most common diagnosis (57.9%). Compared to the period before golimumab treatment, the rate of uveitis relapses after golimumab treatment significantly decreased from 1.73 to 0.62 events per person-years (incidence ratio 0.33, 95% confidence interval 0.19-0.57, P < 0.001). After golimumab therapy, 12 patients (63.2%) were able to reduce the number or dosage of immunosuppressive drugs, and the median dosage of systemic corticosteroids was reduced from 15.0 to 7.5 mg/d (P = 0.013) compared to baseline. The median logMAR visual acuity improved from 0.9 at baseline to 0.6 at the last visit (P = 0.006). Golimumab demonstrated efficacy against refractory non-infectious panuveitis in terms of a corticosteroid-sparing effect and reduced the rate of uveitis relapses to approximately one-third.

Case of primary intraocular lymphoproliferative disorder caused by Epstein-Barr Virus

Background

Cases of panuveitis caused by Epstein–Barr virus (EBV) associated with primary intraocular lymphoproliferative disorder (LPD) are rare in immunocompetent individuals.

Case presentation

A 67-year-old man noted blurred vision in both eyes and was referred to our hospital. His best-corrected visual acuity (BCVA) was 20/20 in both eyes. He had mild inflammation in the anterior chamber but not in the vitreous of both eyes. The inflammation was resolved with topical corticosteroid but 10 months later both eyes presented recurrence. Treatment with a sub-Tenon’s injection of steroid was effective for OS but not for OD and 2 months after, the inflammation in the anterior chamber and vitreous opacities got worsen in OD and BCVA decreased to 6/20 OD. Thus, pars plana vitrectomy was performed on OD, and EBV was detected in the aqueous humor by multiplex polymerase chain reaction, and an infiltration of CD19κ positive B cells was revealed in the vitreous specimens by flow cytometry. Systemic workup revealed no other sites of lymphoproliferation, no active EBV infection, or underlying immunodeficiency.

Conclusion

Panuveitis caused by EBV associated with primary intraocular LPD can occur in patients with no history of congenital or acquired immunodeficiencies.

Are there primary intraocular lymphomas that do not develop into central nervous system lymphomas?

Primary intraocular lymphomas frequently develop into central nervous system lymphomas and vice versa. This study reviewed 22 consecutive patients with primary intraocular lymphoma diagnosed by immunostaining of vitrectomy cell blocks, and examined whether they developed central nervous system lymphoma. Seventeen patients developed central nervous system lymphoma: 3 patients developed intraocular and central nervous system lymphoma simultaneously, 9 patients developed central nervous system lymphoma 1 month to 5 years (median, 3 months) after intraocular lymphoma, and 5 patients developed central nervous system lymphoma preceding the diagnosis of intraocular lymphoma by 3 months to 9 years and 8 months (median, 1.5 years). In contrast, 5 patients did not develop central nervous system lymphoma: 2 patients did not develop local recurrence or central nervous system lymphoma in the follow-up period of 5 years and 11 years, respectively, after vitrectomy alone without additional local or systemic treatment. The remaining 3 patients with intraocular lymphoma had insufficient follow-up periods to determine the prognosis. The results of CD5 immunostaining of vitrectomy specimens were found in pathology reports of 8 patients: 3 patients with CD5-positive large cells and 4 patients with CD5-negative large cells developed central nervous system lymphoma. In summary, only a small number of patients did not develop central nervous system lymphoma based on long-term follow-up after vitrectomy alone. CD5 was not a marker of central nervous system involvement in this study population.

Highly suspected primary intraocular lymphoma in a patient with rheumatoid arthritis treated with etanercept: a case report

Background

To describe a case of highly suspected primary intraocular lymphoma (PIOL) in a patient using etanercept for the treatment of rheumatoid arthritis.

Case presentation

A 50-year-old female patient presented with decreased vision in her left eye that lasted for a week. She had a 15-year history of seropositive rheumatoid arthritis (RA), and had been taking weekly etanercept for the preceding 8 months. Funduscopic examination and SD-OCT showed a swollen ellipsoid zone (EZ) and a retinal pigment epithelium (RPE) irregularity of the right eye. We also noted EZ disruption and a RPE irregularity in the left eye. As subretinal infiltration was aggravated in the right eye after the initial treatment, we completed a vitrectomy. Vitreous cytology revealed PIOL with positive CD20 immunostaining. She was treated with serial intravitreal methotrexate injections and systemic chemotherapy. After the treatment, subretinal infiltration and subRPE deposits were decreased in the right eye with no evidence of recurrence in either eye.

Conclusions

This case suggests a potential relationship between immunosuppression with anti-TNFα medication, and increased risk for lymphoma, especially in patients with underlying rheumatologic disorders and especially in patients with suspected chronic refractory uveitis.

Primary vitreoretinal lymphoma: an update on pathogenesis, diagnosis and treatment

PURPOSE OF REVIEW

Primary vitreoretinal lymphoma (PVRL) is a subset of primary central nervous system lymphoma in which disease primarily affects the uvea, retina, vitreous and optic nerve. This review discusses recent efforts to clarify the disease's pathogenesis, its diagnosis and its optimal treatment.

RECENT FINDINGS

PVRL typically masquerades as a chronic intermediate uveitis in older individuals. Unambiguous diagnosis requires cytologic demonstration of malignant cells in a vitreous or chorioretinal specimen. However, cytokine analysis demonstrating increased interleukin 10 (IL 10) levels or increased IL-10:IL-6 ratio in the aqueous or vitreous, flow cytometry demonstrating a monoclonal cell population, molecular analysis demonstrating gene rearrangements or translocations or combinations of several techniques can be used effectively to aid in diagnosis. Treatment is aimed at eradication of disease within the eyes and prevention of central nervous system (CNS) lymphoma. Whether this should be done with local therapy alone (globe irradiation or intravitreal chemotherapy such as methotrexate or rituximab), or with systemic chemotherapy remains a source of debate. Even with high-dose systemic chemotherapy, CNS disease is prone to recurrence and has a poor prognosis.

SUMMARY

New techniques and innovative treatment strategies may streamline time to definitive diagnosis and may lead to prolonged survival with better vision in patients with PVRL.