<p>A 48-year-old man with a 2-year history of classical follicular lymphoma (according to the 5th WHO classification) [<span>1</span>] involving the axillary lymph nodes achieved complete remission after six cycles of obinutuzumab plus cyclophosphamide, doxorubicin, vincristine, and prednisone. By the end of the third cycle of maintenance therapy with obinutuzumab, the patient presented with epigastric and left hypochondrial pain while in complete remission for 8 months.</p><p>Laboratory studies revealed a lactate dehydrogenase level of 2000 U/L (reference range: 135–235 U/L) and mild anemia (90 g/L). However, the peripheral blood smear showed 10% atypical intermediate-sized lymphomatous cells, characterized by nuclei with oval to irregular contours, finely stippled chromatin, variable nucleoli, and intensely basophilic cytoplasm with numerous vacuoles (Figure 1A). Staging bone marrow was negative. Peripheral blood flow cytometry showed a kappa-restricted population of mature B-cells that were CD45+, CD19+, CD10+, CD5-, and CD20- (Figure 1B). To evaluate the abdominal pain, <sup>18</sup>F-fluorodeoxyglucose (<sup>18</sup>F-FDG) positron emission tomography/computed tomography revealed a left retroperitoneal solid mass with increased <sup>18</sup>F-FDG uptake, an SUVmax of 20, and measuring 6 × 16 cm (Figure 1C).</p><p>Mass biopsy revealed a predominance of monomorphic medium-sized blastoid cells with scant basophilic cytoplasm, round nuclei, and conspicuous nucleoli. Mitotic figures were easily observed (Figure 1D). The neoplastic cells were positive for B-cell markers, including PAX5 and CD19, but negative for CD20. They exhibited a germinal center phenotype (CD10+, BCL6-, and MUM1+) and overexpressed both c-MYC and BCL2. Diffuse terminal deoxynucleotidyl transferase (TdT) expression and monotypic surface immunoglobulin light chain expression were also observed. CD5, CD34, P53, and Epstein–Barr virus-encoded RNA in situ hybridization were negative. The Ki-67 proliferation index was 70%. Fluorescence in-situ hybridization performed with break-apart probes on tissue samples showed <i>MYC</i> (80%) and <i>BCL2</i> (90%) rearrangements, with no <i>BCL6</i> rearrangement (Figure 1D, insets).</p><p>Ifosfamide and etoposide-based chemotherapy were initiated, followed by anti-CD19 chimeric antigen receptor T-cell infusion, which was initially well-tolerated; however, a recurrence developed 3 months later. He was switched to dexamethasone, high-dose cytarabine, and oxaliplatin but developed tumor lysis syndrome with renal failure despite prophylaxis. He experienced progressive disease involving the kidney, lower retroperitoneum, extraperitoneal space, and testis, ultimately dying 7 months after diagnosis.</p><p>This case describes a complex example of an aggressive TdT-positive high-grade B-cell lymphoma (HGBCL), with <i>MYC</i> and <i>BCL2</i> rearrangements transformed from follicular lymphoma marked by significant tissue involvement and a concurrent l
{"title":"Terminal deoxynucleotidyl transferase-positive high-grade B-cell lymphoma with MYC and BCL2 rearrangements transformed from follicular lymphoma","authors":"Radu Chiriac, Lucile Baseggio, Marie Donzel","doi":"10.1002/jha2.1060","DOIUrl":"10.1002/jha2.1060","url":null,"abstract":"<p>A 48-year-old man with a 2-year history of classical follicular lymphoma (according to the 5th WHO classification) [<span>1</span>] involving the axillary lymph nodes achieved complete remission after six cycles of obinutuzumab plus cyclophosphamide, doxorubicin, vincristine, and prednisone. By the end of the third cycle of maintenance therapy with obinutuzumab, the patient presented with epigastric and left hypochondrial pain while in complete remission for 8 months.</p><p>Laboratory studies revealed a lactate dehydrogenase level of 2000 U/L (reference range: 135–235 U/L) and mild anemia (90 g/L). However, the peripheral blood smear showed 10% atypical intermediate-sized lymphomatous cells, characterized by nuclei with oval to irregular contours, finely stippled chromatin, variable nucleoli, and intensely basophilic cytoplasm with numerous vacuoles (Figure 1A). Staging bone marrow was negative. Peripheral blood flow cytometry showed a kappa-restricted population of mature B-cells that were CD45+, CD19+, CD10+, CD5-, and CD20- (Figure 1B). To evaluate the abdominal pain, <sup>18</sup>F-fluorodeoxyglucose (<sup>18</sup>F-FDG) positron emission tomography/computed tomography revealed a left retroperitoneal solid mass with increased <sup>18</sup>F-FDG uptake, an SUVmax of 20, and measuring 6 × 16 cm (Figure 1C).</p><p>Mass biopsy revealed a predominance of monomorphic medium-sized blastoid cells with scant basophilic cytoplasm, round nuclei, and conspicuous nucleoli. Mitotic figures were easily observed (Figure 1D). The neoplastic cells were positive for B-cell markers, including PAX5 and CD19, but negative for CD20. They exhibited a germinal center phenotype (CD10+, BCL6-, and MUM1+) and overexpressed both c-MYC and BCL2. Diffuse terminal deoxynucleotidyl transferase (TdT) expression and monotypic surface immunoglobulin light chain expression were also observed. CD5, CD34, P53, and Epstein–Barr virus-encoded RNA in situ hybridization were negative. The Ki-67 proliferation index was 70%. Fluorescence in-situ hybridization performed with break-apart probes on tissue samples showed <i>MYC</i> (80%) and <i>BCL2</i> (90%) rearrangements, with no <i>BCL6</i> rearrangement (Figure 1D, insets).</p><p>Ifosfamide and etoposide-based chemotherapy were initiated, followed by anti-CD19 chimeric antigen receptor T-cell infusion, which was initially well-tolerated; however, a recurrence developed 3 months later. He was switched to dexamethasone, high-dose cytarabine, and oxaliplatin but developed tumor lysis syndrome with renal failure despite prophylaxis. He experienced progressive disease involving the kidney, lower retroperitoneum, extraperitoneal space, and testis, ultimately dying 7 months after diagnosis.</p><p>This case describes a complex example of an aggressive TdT-positive high-grade B-cell lymphoma (HGBCL), with <i>MYC</i> and <i>BCL2</i> rearrangements transformed from follicular lymphoma marked by significant tissue involvement and a concurrent l","PeriodicalId":72883,"journal":{"name":"EJHaem","volume":"5 6","pages":"1351-1353"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2024-12-02","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC11647685/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"142848238","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
<p>Natural killer (NK)/T-cell lymphoma is a rare subtype of non-Hodgkin lymphoma that is associated with poor outcomes. Efforts to improve treatment are urgently needed and immune checkpoint inhibitor therapies have shown promise in a series of relapsed/refractory diseases. A 59-year-old Hispanic male presented with near-total obstruction of his left nasal airway. Computed tomography imaging showed left greater than right sinusitis with near-total airway obstruction on the left side. Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) and positron emission tomography (PET) scan showed a hypermetabolic primary mass in the left nasal cavity measuring 3.5 cm in length by 1.7 cm in width, SUV max 10.99. Nasal endoscopy showed a highly vascular exophytic tumor filling the nasal airway and sinuses; debulking and surgical biopsy were performed.</p><p>Pathology from this showed extranodal NK/T-cell lymphoma, nasal-type (ENKTL). Tumor cells were positive for LCA, CD2, CD3 and CD56 immunostains; negative for CD5, CD4, CD8, CD10, CD20, MUM1, CD21, BCL2, BCL6, CD79A, Cyclin D1, CD30, ALK1, Pan-keratin, HV8, CD57, and c-Myc immunostains. Karyotyping was normal, 46, XY[20], and bone marrow biopsy showed normocellular bone marrow without involvement and active maturing trilinear hematopoiesis. Flow cytometry analysis of the nasal mass demonstrated relatively increased natural killer cells, 66% of lymphocytes CD3-/CD56+ with normal expression of CD16 and no immunophenotypic aberrancies without diminished or loss of CD2, CD7, and/or CD57, or abnormal uniform expression of CD8. Epstein-Barr virus (EBV) was positive by RNA in situ hybridization (EBER Positive). Peripheral blood also was positive with EBV DNA Quantitative polymerase chain reaction level 705 copies/mL.</p><p>Using these evaluations, the patient was determined to have Stage II disease using the Chinese Southwest Oncology Group and Asia Lymphoma Study Group (CA) staging system (CASS) established in 2020 [<span>1</span>]. CASS Stage II is defined as a primary tumor localized to the nasal cavity or nasopharynx involving local structures, without regional lymph node involvement. Research has shown that the Ann Arbor staging system (AASS), established for Hodgkin Lymphoma, has limited predictive ability and poor prognostication for ENKTL with CASS better in discriminating survival than AASS [<span>2, 3</span>]. Unlike most other lymphomas, ENKTL is primarily extranodal, and therefore using the AASS, the majority of ENKTL (70%–90%) appears early (stage I/II) leading to unbalanced distribution and poor predictive accuracy.</p><p>Another model developed for patients treated with non-anthracycline-containing regimens is the prognostic index for NK/T-cell lymphomas (PINK-E) (negative scoring parameters: age >60 years, stage III/IV disease, distant lymph node involvement, non-nasal subtype, and detectable presentation EBV DNA) [<span>4</span>]. Using PINK-E, this patient would be classified as low-risk. Using the PINK-E model,
{"title":"Low-dose nivolumab for extranodal natural killer/T-cell lymphoma, nasal type","authors":"Satish Maharaj, Simone Chang","doi":"10.1002/jha2.1059","DOIUrl":"10.1002/jha2.1059","url":null,"abstract":"<p>Natural killer (NK)/T-cell lymphoma is a rare subtype of non-Hodgkin lymphoma that is associated with poor outcomes. Efforts to improve treatment are urgently needed and immune checkpoint inhibitor therapies have shown promise in a series of relapsed/refractory diseases. A 59-year-old Hispanic male presented with near-total obstruction of his left nasal airway. Computed tomography imaging showed left greater than right sinusitis with near-total airway obstruction on the left side. Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) and positron emission tomography (PET) scan showed a hypermetabolic primary mass in the left nasal cavity measuring 3.5 cm in length by 1.7 cm in width, SUV max 10.99. Nasal endoscopy showed a highly vascular exophytic tumor filling the nasal airway and sinuses; debulking and surgical biopsy were performed.</p><p>Pathology from this showed extranodal NK/T-cell lymphoma, nasal-type (ENKTL). Tumor cells were positive for LCA, CD2, CD3 and CD56 immunostains; negative for CD5, CD4, CD8, CD10, CD20, MUM1, CD21, BCL2, BCL6, CD79A, Cyclin D1, CD30, ALK1, Pan-keratin, HV8, CD57, and c-Myc immunostains. Karyotyping was normal, 46, XY[20], and bone marrow biopsy showed normocellular bone marrow without involvement and active maturing trilinear hematopoiesis. Flow cytometry analysis of the nasal mass demonstrated relatively increased natural killer cells, 66% of lymphocytes CD3-/CD56+ with normal expression of CD16 and no immunophenotypic aberrancies without diminished or loss of CD2, CD7, and/or CD57, or abnormal uniform expression of CD8. Epstein-Barr virus (EBV) was positive by RNA in situ hybridization (EBER Positive). Peripheral blood also was positive with EBV DNA Quantitative polymerase chain reaction level 705 copies/mL.</p><p>Using these evaluations, the patient was determined to have Stage II disease using the Chinese Southwest Oncology Group and Asia Lymphoma Study Group (CA) staging system (CASS) established in 2020 [<span>1</span>]. CASS Stage II is defined as a primary tumor localized to the nasal cavity or nasopharynx involving local structures, without regional lymph node involvement. Research has shown that the Ann Arbor staging system (AASS), established for Hodgkin Lymphoma, has limited predictive ability and poor prognostication for ENKTL with CASS better in discriminating survival than AASS [<span>2, 3</span>]. Unlike most other lymphomas, ENKTL is primarily extranodal, and therefore using the AASS, the majority of ENKTL (70%–90%) appears early (stage I/II) leading to unbalanced distribution and poor predictive accuracy.</p><p>Another model developed for patients treated with non-anthracycline-containing regimens is the prognostic index for NK/T-cell lymphomas (PINK-E) (negative scoring parameters: age >60 years, stage III/IV disease, distant lymph node involvement, non-nasal subtype, and detectable presentation EBV DNA) [<span>4</span>]. Using PINK-E, this patient would be classified as low-risk. Using the PINK-E model,","PeriodicalId":72883,"journal":{"name":"EJHaem","volume":"5 6","pages":"1363-1365"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2024-11-29","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC11647695/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"142848601","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Frederik O. Meeuwes, Mirian Brink, Wouter J. Plattel, Joost S. P. Vermaat, Marie José Kersten, Mariëlle Wondergem, Otto Visser, Marjolein W. M. van der Poel, Rimke Oostvogels, F. J. Sherida H. Woei-A-Jin, Lara Böhmer, Tjeerd J. F. Snijders, Gerwin A. Huls, Marcel Nijland