Outcome of combined modality treatment in first-line for stage I(E) peripheral T-cell lymphoma; a nationwide population-based cohort study from the Netherlands

Peripheral T-cell lymphomas (PTCL) comprise a heterogeneous group of mature T-cell neoplasms with an unfavorable prognosis; presentation with stage I(E) disease is uncommon. In clinical practice, an abbreviated chemotherapy treatment regimen combined with radiotherapy (combined modality treatment [CMT]) is commonly used, although evidence from clinical trials is lacking. The aim of this nationwide population-based cohort study is to describe first-line treatment and outcome of patients with stage I(E) PTCL. All newly diagnosed patients ≥18 years with stage I(E) anaplastic large cell lymphoma (ALCL), angioimmunoblastic T-cell lymphoma (AITL) and peripheral T-cell lymphoma NOS (PTCL not otherise specified [NOS]) in 1989-2020 were identified in the Netherlands Cancer Registry. Patients were categorized according to treatment regimen, i.e., chemotherapy (CT), radiotherapy (RT), CMT, other therapy and no treatment. The primary endpoint was overall survival (OS). Patients with stage I(E) ALCL, AITL and PTCL NOS (n=576) were most commonly treated with CMT (28%) or CT (29%), 2% underwent SCT. RT only was given in 18%, and 8% received other therapy and 16% no treatment. Overall, the 5-year OS was 59%. According to subtype, 5-year OS was superior for ALCL as compared to PTCL NOS and AITL (68% vs. 55% and 52%, respectively; P=0.03). For patients treated with CMT, 5-year OS was significantly higher (72%) as compared to patients treated with either CT or RT alone (55% and 55%, respectively; P<0.01). In multivariable analysis, age per year increment (hazard ratio [HR] =1.06, 95% confidence interval [CI]: 1.05-1.07), male sex (HR=1.53, 95% CI: 1.23-1.90), and CT, or no treatment (HR=1.64, 95% CI: 1.21-2.21, and HR=1.55, 95% CI: 1.10-2.17, respectively) were associated with a higher risk of mortality. For stage I(E) ALCL, AITL and PTCL NOS, 5-year OS is 59%, comparing favorably to historical outcome in advanced-stage disease. Superior outcome estimates were observed in patients treated with CMT.

[Angioimmunoblastic T-cell lymphoma after immune checkpoint inhibitor-combined chemotherapy for lung cancer]

A 68-year-old male patient with lung adenocarcinoma, who was treated with chemotherapy and immune checkpoint inhibitors (ICIs), developed lymphadenopathy during treatment. His para-aortic lymph nodes increased to 2.0 cm in diameter. Both inguinal lymph nodes were 1.5 cm in diameter, and multiple hepatic masses appeared. After the ICI readministration, both inguinal lymph nodes increased to 2.0 cm in diameter, but the para-aortic lymph nodes and hepatic masses remained. Angioimmunoblastic T-cell lymphoma (AITL) diagnosis was established after the right inguinal lymph node biopsy, which was accompanied by an infiltration of Epstein-Barr virus (EBV)-encoded small ribonucleic acid-positive B-cells. After the ICI discontinuation, the inguinal lymph nodes decreased to 1.5 cm in diameter, but the para-aortic lymph nodes remained, and hepatic masses increased. Hepatic lesions were possibly lung cancer metastasis. The ICI administration and EBV reactivation were potentially associated with AITL development in the present case. The natural shrinkage of lymphoma after the ICI cessation implied the immunological mechanism like that of the methotrexate-related lymphoproliferative disease.

Expression of Master Regulators of T-cell, Helper T-cell and Follicular Helper T-cell Differentiation in Angioimmunoblastic T-cell Lymphoma

Objective It has been postulated that the normal counterpart of angioimmunoblastic T-cell lymphoma (AITL) is the follicular helper T-cell (TFH). Recent immunological studies have identified several transcription factors responsible for T-cell differentiation. The master regulators associated with T-cell, helper T-cell (Th), and TFH differentiation are reportedly BCL11B, Th-POK, and BCL6, respectively. We explored the postulated normal counterpart of AITL with respect to the expression of the master regulators of T-cell differentiation. Methods We performed an immunohistochemical analysis in 15 AITL patients to determine the expression of the master regulators and several surface markers associated with T-cell differentiation. Results BCL11B was detected in 10 patients (67%), and the surface marker of T-cells (CD3) was detected in all patients. Only 2 patients (13%) expressed the marker of naïve T-cells (CD45RA), but all patients expressed the marker of effector T-cells (CD45RO). Nine patients expressed Th-POK (60%), and 7 (47%) expressed a set of surface antigens of Th (CD4-positive and CD8-negative). In addition, BCL6 and the surface markers of TFH (CXCL13, PD-1, and SAP) were detected in 11 (73%), 8 (53%), 14 (93%), and all patients, respectively. Th-POK-positive/BCL6-negative patients showed a significantly shorter overall survival (OS) than the other patients (median OS: 33.0 months vs. 74.0 months, p=0.020; log-rank test). Conclusion Many of the AITL patients analyzed in this study expressed the master regulators of T-cell differentiation. The clarification of the diagnostic significance and pathophysiology based on the expression of these master regulators in AITL is expected in the future.

Cutaneous Presentation of Angioimmunoblastic T-Cell Lymphoma: A Harbinger of Poor Prognosis?

A 62-year-old woman presented with a 2-year history of extensive, pruritic dermatosis over her face, trunk, and limbs. She was initially treated for psoriasis with methotrexate 5 mg twice weekly and topical clobetasol cream; however, her condition worsened, and she was admitted for generalized exfoliative dermatitis. Examination showed generalized erythema and scaling affecting her face (Figure 1A), chest (Figure 1B), back, and limbs. There were also cervical, axillary, and inguinal lymphadenopathy. Laboratory studies revealed a high white blood cell count of 125×10⁹/L (reference range: 4-10×10⁹/L), hemoglobin level of 11.9 g/dL (reference range: 12-16 g/dL), and normal platelet level of 396×10⁹/L (reference range: 140-440×10⁹/L). Results from direct Coombs test were negative and lactate dehydrogenase levels were normal.

Clinical, biologic, and pathologic features in 157 patients with angioimmunoblastic T-cell lymphoma treated within the Groupe d'Etude des Lymphomes de l'Adulte (GELA) trials

To evaluate the prognostic significance of clinicobiologic and pathological features in angioimmunoblastic T-cell lymphoma (AITL), 157 AITL patients were retrieved from the GELA LNH87-LNH93 randomized clinical trials. One hundred forty-seven patients received a cyclophosphamide, doxorubicin, vincristine, and prednisone (CHOP)-like regimen with intensified courses in half of them. Histologically, 41 cases were classified as "rich in large cells" and 116 as "classic" (including 19 rich in epithelioid cells, 14 rich in clear cells, and 4 with hyperplastic germinal centers). Sixty-two cases were scored for CD10 and CXCL13 expression according to the abundance of positive lymphoid cells. Median age was 62 years, with 81% advanced stage, 72% B symptoms, 65% anemia, 50% hypergammaglobulinemia, and 66% elevated LDH. Overall 7-year survival was 30%. In multivariate analysis, only male sex (P = .004), mediastinal lymphadenopathy (P = .041), and anemia (P = .042) adversely affected overall survival. Increase in large cells and high level of CD10 and CXCL13 did not affect survival. Intensive regimen did not improve survival. In conclusion, AITL is a morphologically heterogeneous T-cell lymphoma commonly expressing CXCL13 and CD10 and carrying few prognostic factors. It portends a poor prognosis even when treated intensively. However, AITL is not always lethal with 30% of patients alive at 7 years.

Angioimmunoblastic T cell lymphoma: pathobiological insights and clinical implications

PURPOSE OF REVIEW

Angioimmunoblastic T cell lymphoma is a complex lymphoproliferative disorder. While recent evidence suggests that the Epstein-Barr virus and B cell disregulation are implicated in the disease's pathogenesis, their mechanistic roles remain largely unknown. The prognosis with traditional chemotherapy has been poor, but improved understanding of the disease's pathobiology has led to several promising novel therapeutic strategies.

RECENT FINDINGS

The recent finding of overexpression of the chemokine CXCL13 by the neoplastic cells of angioimmunoblastic T cell lymphoma suggests that it is derived from follicular helper T cells. In addition, gene-expression profiling has demonstrated overexpression of several genes characteristic of follicular helper T cells. Vascular endothelial growth factor-A is also highly expressed. Novel therapeutic strategies including immunomodulation with agents like cyclosporine and angiogenesis inhibition with drugs such as bevacizumab are being investigated, and show early promise in this disease.

SUMMARY

Diseases such as angioimmunoblastic T cell lymphoma can help illuminate the biology of the normal immune system. Significant progress has been made in understanding the biology of angioimmunoblastic T cell lymphoma. This has paved the way for the development of new therapeutic strategies and these have shown interesting results.

Concomitant angioimmunoblastic T-cell lymphoma and low grade B-cell lymphoproliferative disorder

The presence of a rearranged immunoglobulin gene, in addition to the expected T-cell receptor gene rearrangement, is a frequent, albeit poorly understood, finding in the setting of angioimmunoblastic lymphadenopathy. A case of an angioimmunoblastic T-cell lymphoma is presented, where this apparently paradoxical dual gene rearrangement could be ascribed to the coexistence of an occult B-cell lymphoproliferative disorder.

[Immunoblastic lymphadenopathy-like T cell lymphoma accompanied by autoimmune hemolytic anemia]

A 62-year-old man was admitted to our hospital because of generalized lymphadenopathy, fever and skin eruptions. The histology of the right cervical lymph nodes showed immunoblastic lymphadenopathy (IBL)-like T cell lymphoma. His laboratory data were as follows: hemoglobin concentration 7.1 g/dl, red blood cells 1,850,000/microliters, reticulocytes 4.2%, total bilirubin 2.6mg/dl, direct bilirubin 0.5mg/dl, haptoglobin less than 10mg/dl, positive Coombs test. He was diagnosed as having IBL-like T cell lymphoma accompanied by autoimmune hemolytic anemia. He was successfully treated with combination chemotherapy (Pro-MACE), and lymph node swelling and hemolytic anemia disappeared. He has been in complete remission for more than 1 year.

[Chronic immunoproliferative syndromes]

Immunoproliferative syndromes are etiologically unclear, rare diseases which involve polyclonal B- and/or T-cell proliferations and frequently develop into malignant non-Hodgkin-lymphoma. Typically, these diseases are characterized by lymphadenopathies, hepatosplenomegaly, general fatigue and autoimmune phenomena. Here we briefly outline 6 syndromes, two of which--the "pluripotential chronic immunoproliferative syndrome" (CPIS) and the "angioimmunoblastic lymphadenopathy" (AILD)--are discussed in more detail. We favor the notion that CPIS is a variant form of AILD clinically dominated by severe autoimmune hemolytic anemia. Both diseases share the high frequency of anti-cytoskeleton autoantibodies.

The enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay: accurate detection of red blood cell antibodies in autoimmune hemolytic anemia

The enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) was employed in the study of red blood cells from patients with autoimmune hemolytic anemia. The ELISA was more sensitive and correlated with severity of hemolysis better than the direct antiglobulin test (DAT). It was helpful in diagnosing and following the clinical course in these patients. This was particularly true in the DAT-negative group, since the ELISA can detect smaller increases in red blood cell IgG than are required for a positive DAT.