Angiogenesis in Hodgkin's lymphoma: a morphometric approach in 286 patients with prognostic implications

The significance of angiogenesis in Hodgkin's lymphoma (HL) is not well defined. The aim of this study was to evaluate various morphometric characteristics of microvessels in lymph node sections of 286 patients with HL at diagnosis and investigate their relationship with clinicopathologic parameters and prognosis. Microvessel density (MVD), total vascular area (TVA) and several size- and shape-related microvascular parameters were quantitated--after anti-CD34 immunohistochemical staining--in the region of most intense vascularization, using image analysis. An increase in microvessel caliber parameters (area, perimeter, major and minor axis length) and a decrease in MVD were noted with increasing stage. An inverse relationship was recorded between MVD and the number of involved sites (NIS) and LDH. In univariate analysis, overall disease-specific survival was adversely affected by MVD and TVA, whereas inferior failure-free survival (FFS) was associated with the presence of more flattened vessel sections. Multivariate analysis disclosed that the extent of angiogenesis (MVD/TVA), age and the NIS independently affected overall survival. Accordingly, FFS was independently linked to the shape of microvessels and albumin levels or the NIS. In conclusion, our data support the view that angiogenesis in HL provides independent prognostic information, requiring the concomitant evaluation of quantitative and qualitative aspects of microvascular network.

An unusual case of CD4+ CD7+ CD56+ acute leukemia with overlapping features of type 2 dendritic cell (DC2) and myeloid/NK cell precursor acute leukemia

Type 2 dendritic cell (DC2) acute leukemia has been recently described. We report here an unusual case of a 17-yr-old adolescent with overlapping features of DC2 and myeloid/NK cell precursor acute leukemia as defined by Suzuki et al. The patient presented with lymphadenopathy and hepatosplenomegaly without extranodal manifestations in skin or elsewhere. The morphologic, cytochemical and immunophenotypic features were compatible with those described in DC2 acute leukemia, with co-expression of CD4, CD56 and CD123 antigens. The novel markers BDCA-4 and BDCA-2 considered specific for DC2s were co-expressed. However, bright CD7 positivity along with a dim expression of CD33 (57%) and CD117 (27%) were also noted. Additionally, there was bright expression of NG2 monoclonal antibody 7.1, a frequent finding in myeloid/NK cell precursor acute leukemia. The interpretation of the immunophenotypic profile leads to the hypothesis on the existence of borderline cases between DC2 and myeloid/NK cell precursor acute leukemia. Still, other hypotheses can not be overlooked, such as the possibility for a kind of variant monoblastic leukemia or of another rare entity of acute unclassified leukemia.

Pulmonary Balantidium coli infection in a leukemic patient

A 59-year-old woman suffering from chronic lymphocytic leukemia developed pulmonary lesions; bronchoalveolar lavage was performed for possible systemic fungal infection. However, direct microscopic analysis revealed ciliated protozoa identified as Balantidium coli. B. coli is the only known pathogenic ciliate, and is usually associated with intestinal infection in areas associated with pig rearing. On very rare occasions the organisms may invade extra-intestinal organs, in this case the lungs of an immunocompromised patient. This case is unusual as balantidiasis is rare in Europe, the patient had no obvious contact with pigs, and there was no history of diarrhea prior to pulmonary colonization. Metronidazole was rapidly administered, and the condition improved after 24-48 hr.

Clinicopathologic correlations of bone marrow angiogenesis in chronic myeloid leukemia: a morphometric study

Various morphometric characteristics of microvessels, highlighted by means of anti-CD34 immunohistochemical staining, were evaluated in the bone marrow of 52 patients with chronic myeloid leukemia (CML) in chronic phase, in relation to several clinicopathologic parameters. Twenty control bone marrows and 15 cases of CML in blastic phase were also studied. Microvessel density (MVD), total vascular area (TVA) and several size- and shape-related parameters were quantitated in the region of most intense vascularization using image analysis. Overall, the group of chronic phase CML had higher MVD and size-related parameters and more branching microvessels than controls. Blastic phase was characterized by increased numbers of microvessels with a rounder shape and smaller caliber than chronic phase. A positive correlation emerged between marrow fibrosis and MVD as well as between white blood cell counts and rounder vessel sections. No relationship existed between microvascular parameters and Hasford or Sokal prognostic scores. In univariate analysis, overall and progression-free survival were adversely affected by MVD, size-related parameters, increased platelet count, age and spleen size. Multivariate analysis indicated that microvessel area was related to progression-free survival, whereas both MVD and area were significant prognosticators of overall survival, even when Hasford or Sokal scores are introduced into the model. Our data suggest that changes in angiogenic parameters may participate in the conversion of normal marrow to CML and ultimately to blastic transformation. More importantly, MVD and microvessel caliber are significant predictors of patient survival and progression.

Prognostic factors in advanced stage Hodgkin's lymphoma: the significance of the number of involved anatomic sites

BACKGROUND

Advanced Hodgkin's lymphoma (HL) is curable by conventional chemotherapy in 60--70% of patients. The pretreatment identification of a sizeable subgroup of patients with sufficiently low failure-free survival (FFS) to be eligible for investigational treatment is necessary.

OBJECTIVES

To determine the prognostic significance of the number of involved sites (NIS) in patients with advanced HL and its relationship to the International Prognostic Score (IPS).

METHODS

A retrospective review of patients with advanced HL, defined as Ann Arbor stage (AAS) IB, IIB, III or IV, treated with anthracycline-based regimens. The end-point was FFS.

RESULTS

We identified 277 patients with a median age of 32 yr (14--78), 57% of whom were males. AAS was I in 4% of patients, II in 29%, III in 38% and IV in 29%. B-symptoms were recorded in 81%. Most patients had nodular sclerosis (64%) and mixed cellularity (26%) histology. IPS was greater-than-or-equals 3 in 44% of 242 evaluable patients. The NIS was greater-than-or-equals 5 in 32% of the patients and 20% of all patients had both greater-than-or-equals 5 involved sites and IPS greater-than-or-equals 3. The 10-yr FFS was 67%, being 76% vs. 50% for patients with less-than-or-equals 4 vs. greater-than-or-equals 5 involved sites (P < 0.0001). The NIS (greater-than-or-equal 5), AAS IV and anemia were independent predictors of FFS in multivariate analysis. The NIS remained significant along with IPS, when the latter was included in the analysis. Patients with greater-than-or-equals 5 involved sites and IPS greater-than-or-equals 3 had 10-yr FFS overall, and relapse-free survival of 41%, 45% and 49%, respectively.

CONCLUSIONS

The NIS was associated with FFS in advanced HL, was independent of IPS, and led to the identification of a sizeable subgroup of patients with 10-yr FFS of approximately 40%. This factor should be evaluated during the development of prognostic systems.

Assessment of Procalcitonin as a Diagnostic Marker of Underlying Infection in Patients with Febrile Neutropenia

The novel inflammatory marker procalcitonin (PCT) was assessed as an index of infection in patients with febrile neutropenia. Blood samples were obtained from 115 patients with febrile neutropenia for determination of PCT levels before onset of fever and daily until the resolution of fever. The median PCT level on the first day of fever was 8.23 ng/mL in patients with bacteremia, compared with 0.86 ng/mL in patients with localized bacterial infections (P=.017). The median PCT level on the first day of fever was 2.62 ng/mL in patients with severe sepsis, compared with 0.57 ng/mL in patients with clinically localized infections (P<.001). A dramatic decrease in PCT levels was documented after resolution of the infection; PCT levels were elevated when the infection worsened. Pronounced PCT levels were also found in patients with fever of unknown origin who were responding to antimicrobial chemotherapy, compared with those not responding to treatment with antibiotics. PCT levels were particularly elevated in patients with bacteremia and severe sepsis. These findings provide new insight into the application of PCT in clinical trials as a diagnostic tool of the severity of an infection in patients with febrile neutropenia and of the need to change antimicrobial regimen.

Effect of pamidronate administration on markers of bone turnover and disease activity in multiple myeloma

AIM

Bisphosphonates are potent inhibitors of osteoclastic activity and are used in the treatment of multiple myeloma (MM) in combination with chemotherapy. The effect of pamidronate on markers of bone resorption [cross-linked N-telopeptides of type I collagen (NTx)], markers of bone formation [serum alkaline phosphatase (BAP) and osteocalcin (OSC)], interleukin-6 (IL-6), beta2-microglobulin, CRP, paraprotein and disease-related pain and skeletal events has been evaluated in 62 newly diagnosed patients with MM.

PATIENTS AND METHODS

The patients were randomly assigned to two groups: the first included 32 patients under chemotherapy and pamidronate (group I) and the second 30 patients on chemotherapy only (group II). Pamidronate was administered at a monthly dose of 90 mg iv, and the above parameters were evaluated at the beginning of this study and after 1, 3, 6, 9, 12 and 14 months of treatment.

RESULTS

The addition of pamidronate to chemotherapy resulted in a significant reduction of NTx, IL-6 and paraprotein from the 3rd month and of beta2-microglobulin, CRP and pain from the 6th month of treatment. No changes of NTx, IL-6, beta2-microglobulin, CRP or skeletal events were observed in patients of group II, while paraprotein was significantly reduced after 6 months of treatment. The differences in NTx, IL-6, paraprotein and beta2-microglobulin were statistically significant between the two groups. Multivariate analysis revealed a significant correlation between changes of NTx, changes of IL-6 in both groups and reduction of pain and paraprotein in group I.

CONCLUSIONS

These results suggest that pamidronate may have a synergistic action with chemotherapy in decreasing osteoclastic activity, in reducing markers of myeloma activity and myeloma related pain and in improving the quality of life in patients with MM.