Extranodal natural killer/T-cell lymphoma coexisting with peripheral T-cell lymphoma, not otherwise specified.

We report the case of a 52-year-old male who presented to our hospital with cervical lymphadenopathy. Lymph node biopsy revealed small atypical lymphoid cells positive for CD3 and CD5 and negative for CD56 and Epstein-Barr virus (EBV)-encoded small RNA (EBER) by in situ hybridization. CD4-positive cells and CD8-positive cells were mixed in almost equal numbers. He was diagnosed with peripheral T-cell lymphoma, not otherwise specified (PTCL-NOS). The patient received one cycle of chemotherapy, resulting in severe sepsis. While undergoing treatment in the intensive care unit with an antimicrobial agent and prednisone, ascitic fluid appeared. Abdominal aspiration revealed neutrophil-predominant ascites and microbiological studies revealed Candida albicans. However, ascites did not improve when treated with micafungin for Candida peritonitis. Abdominal aspiration was re-performed, and atypical lymphoid cells that were positive for CD3 and CD56 were detected. EBV-DNA levels in whole blood were significantly elevated. Atypical lymphoid cells were positive for EBER by in situ hybridization and Southern blot analysis showed EBV terminal repeat monoclonal patterns. Bone marrow examination revealed the same atypical lymphoid cells. Therefore, the patient was diagnosed with extranodal natural killer/T-cell lymphoma (ENKTL) with bone marrow involvement 3 months after the diagnosis of PTCL-NOS. Complications associated with PTCL-NOS and ENKTL are rare. PTCL-NOS, chemotherapy, sepsis, and prednisone might have led to immunodeficiency and reactivation of EBV, which might be one of the pathophysiologies for developing ENKTL. Our case indicates that measuring EBV-DNA in the blood is a simple and prompt examination to detect complications of EBV-associated lymphoma.

[Myelodysplastic syndrome with der (1;7)(q10;p10) complicated with eosinophilia and organizing pneumonia].

The unbalanced translocation der (1;7)(q10;p10) is a characteristic cytogenetic abnormality observed in myelodysplastic syndrome (MDS). A 63-year-old man presented to our hospital with fever and lung disease. The chromosomal analysis of bone marrow cells showed 46, XY, +1, der (1;7)(q10;p10) in all four metaphases. The patient was diagnosed with MDS. Bronchoscope examination revealed organizing pneumonia. The patient's eosinophil count rose to 39% after 30 days. His fever and dyspnea worsened, and a skin rash (systemic erythema) appeared simultaneously. Therefore, the patient was commenced on azacitidine and corticosteroids. Although treatment with both drugs could control disease progression transiently, the WT-1 value and the percentage of myeloblasts in the patient's bone marrow increased. Therefore, the patient received hematopoietic stem cell transplantation from his haplo-identical donor daughter. Some reports have demonstrated that patients with MDS with der (1;7)(q10;p10) have better prognosis than those with other abnormalities, such as -7/7q-. However, reported cases with severe complications show very poor prognosis. MDS with der (1;7)(q10;p10) complicated by eosinophilia and organizing pneumonia have not been reported, and its prognosis is expected to be very poor. Our case suggests that such cases might quickly require hematopoietic stem cell transplantation before the disease worsens.

Hematopoietic stem cell-derived Tregs are essential for maintaining favorable B cell lymphopoiesis following posttransplant cyclophosphamide.

Posttransplant cyclophosphamide (PTCy) is associated with a low incidence of chronic graft-versus-host disease (cGVHD) following hematopoietic stem cell (HSC) transplantation. Previous studies have shown the important roles of B cell immunity in cGVHD development. Here, we investigated the long-term reconstitution of B lymphopoiesis after PTCy using murine models. We first demonstrated that the immune homeostatic abnormality leading to cGVHD is characterized by an initial increase in effector T cells in the bone marrow and subsequent B and Treg cytopenia. PTCy, but not cyclosporine A or rapamycin, inhibits the initial alloreactive T cell response, which restores intra-bone marrow B lymphogenesis with a concomitant vigorous increase in Tregs. This leads to profound changes in posttransplant B cell homeostasis, including decreased B cell activating factors, increased transitional and regulatory B cells, and decreased germinal center B cells. To identify the cells responsible for PTCy-induced B cell tolerance, we selectively depleted Treg populations that were graft or HSC derived using DEREG mice. Deletion of either Treg population without PTCy resulted in critical B cytopenia. PTCy rescued B lymphopoiesis from graft-derived Treg deletion. In contrast, the negative effect of HSC-derived Treg deletion could not be overcome by PTCy, indicating that HSC-derived Tregs are essential for maintaining favorable B lymphopoiesis following PTCy. These findings define the mechanisms by which PTCy restores homeostasis of the B cell lineage and reestablishes immune tolerance.

Primary Effusion Lymphoma-like Lymphoma Mimicking Tuberculous Pleural Effusion: Three Case Reports and a Literature Review.

Primary effusion lymphoma-like lymphoma (PEL-LL) is a rare lymphoma, localized in the body cavity without detectable tumor masses. Tuberculous pleural effusion is a form of extra pulmonary tuberculous. We herein report three cases of PEL-LL in patients with a history of pulmonary tuberculosis. Despite the presentation with lymphocyte predominance and high levels of adenosine deaminase, a notable characteristic of tuberculous pleural effusion, the patients were ultimately diagnosed with PEL-LL. Pleural fluid laboratory tests yield similar results for PEL-LL and tuberculous pleural effusion; therefore, cytological and immunophenotyping examinations are useful for their differential diagnosis and the determination of treatment.

Spontaneous regression of dasatinib-related primary effusion lymphoma-like lymphoma.

Primary effusion lymphoma-like lymphoma (PEL-LL) shows a unique clinical presentation, characterized by lymphomatous effusions in the body cavities. PEL-LL may be associated with hepatitis C virus infections and fluid overload states; and owing to its rarity, no standard therapies have been established. We report a case of a 55-year-old woman who developed PEL-LL during treatment with dasatinib, for chronic myeloid leukemia (CML). She presented to our hospital with dyspnea lasting for approximately a month and showed pericardial and bilateral pleural effusions. The pericardial effusion was exudative, and cytopathological and immunophenotypic examinations showed numerous CD 20-positive, large atypical lymphoid cells, which were also positive for the Epstein-Barr virus gene. No evidence of lymphadenopathy or bone marrow infiltration was found. We diagnosed PEL-LL, immediately discontinued dasatinib, and performed continuous drainage of the pericardial effusions. Complete response was achieved, and remission was maintained for 15 months. Two months after discontinuation of dasatinib, she was administered imatinib and a deep molecular response for the CML was maintained. PEL-LL occurring during dasatinib treatment is rare. We compared the results of previous reports with this case, and found that early diagnosis of PEL-LL, discontinuation of dasatinib, and sufficient drainage can improve the prognosis of PEL-LL.

Responses of regulatory and effector T-cells to low-dose interleukin-2 differ depending on the immune environment after allogeneic stem cell transplantation.

CD4+Foxp3+ regulatory T cells (Tregs) play a central role in the maintenance of immune tolerance after allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (HSCT). Tregs promptly respond to low concentrations of IL-2 through the constitutive expression of high-affinity IL-2 receptors. It has been reported that low-dose IL-2 therapy increased circulating Tregs and improved clinical symptoms of chronic GVHD. Clinical studies of IL-2 therapy so far have mainly targeted patients in the chronic phase of transplantation when acute immune responses has subsided. However, the biological and clinical effects of exogenous IL-2 in an acute immune environment have not been well investigated. In the current study, we investigated the impact of exogenous IL-2 therapy on the post-transplant homeostasis of T cell subsets which influence the balance between GVHD and GVL in the acute phase, by setting the various immune environments early after HSCT in murine model. We initially found that 5,000 IU of IL-2 was enough to induce the active proliferation of Treg without influencing other conventional T cells (Tcons) when administered to normal mice. However, activated Tcons showed the response to the same dose of IL-2 in recipients after allogeneic HSCT. In a mild inflammatory environment within a threshold, exogenous IL-2 could effectively modulate Treg homeostasis with just limited influence to activated T cells, which resulted in an efficient GVHD suppression. In contrast, in a severely inflammatory environment, exogenous IL-2 enhanced activated T cells rather than Tregs, which resulted in the exacerbation of GVHD. Of interest, in an immune-tolerant state after transplant, exogenous IL-2 triggered effector T-cells to exert an anti-tumor effect with maintaining GVHD suppression. These data suggested that the responses of Tregs and effector T cells to exogenous IL-2 differ depending on the immune environment in the host, and the mutual balance of the response to IL-2 between T-cell subsets modulates GVHD and GVL after HSCT. Our findings may provide useful information in the optimization of IL-2 therapy, which may be personalized for each patient having different immune status.

An Unbalanced Diet Limited to the Consumption of Boiled Vegetables Led to the Onset of Scurvy.

Scurvy is a rare disease caused by a vitamin C deficiency. Vitamin C is a water-soluble vitamin found in vegetables and fruits, but it is lost after boiling. A 59-year-old man presented with gingival pain after having a tooth extracted five years previously. Following the procedure, his diet comprised boiled vegetables to prevent pain. He then experienced bilateral lower leg pain, and computed tomography revealed intramuscular bleeding. His serum vitamin C level was below the detectable limit. His symptoms immediately improved with vitamin C administration. This case emphasized that consuming only boiled vegetables can lead to the onset of scurvy.

[Aseptic meningitis as paraneoplastic syndrome related to chronic myeloid leukemia in chronic phase].

Chronic myeloid leukemia (CML) is a clonal hemopoietic stem cell disorder characterized by reciprocal translocation between the long arms of chromosomes 9 and 22 that produces the fusion BCR-ABL1 gene. Major manifestations in CML patients are increased white cell count and splenomegaly. In this case, the patient presented with aseptic meningitis and showed symptoms, such as disorientation, double vision, and neurogenic bladder disorder. Pulse steroid and antibiotic treatment was ineffective for these symptoms; however, the combination therapy with these drugs and dasatinib was very effective. Moreover, our patient had myelopathy that could have been induced by dasatinib after the treatment was started. To our knowledge, this is the first report of meningitis of the paraneoplastic syndrome associated with CML.

Reduced dose of PTCy followed by adjuvant α-galactosylceramide enhances GVL effect without sacrificing GVHD suppression.

Posttransplantation cyclophosphamide (PTCy) has become a popular option for haploidentical hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (HSCT). However, personalized methods to adjust immune intensity after PTCy for each patient's condition have not been well studied. Here, we investigated the effects of reducing the dose of PTCy followed by α-galactosylceramide (α-GC), a ligand of iNKT cells, on the reciprocal balance between graft-versus-host disease (GVHD) and the graft-versus-leukemia (GVL) effect. In a murine haploidentical HSCT model, insufficient GVHD prevention after reduced-dose PTCy was efficiently compensated for by multiple administrations of α-GC. The ligand treatment maintained the enhanced GVL effect after reduced-dose PTCy. Phenotypic analyses revealed that donor-derived B cells presented the ligand and induced preferential skewing to the NKT2 phenotype rather than the NKT1 phenotype, which was followed by the early recovery of all T cell subsets, especially CD4+Foxp3+ regulatory T cells. These studies indicate that α-GC administration soon after reduced-dose PTCy restores GVHD-preventing activity and maintains the GVL effect, which is enhanced by reducing the dose of PTCy. Our results provide important information for the development of a novel strategy to optimize PTCy-based transplantation, particularly in patients with a potential relapse risk.

Pretransplant Short-Term Exposure of Donor Graft Cells to ITK Selective Inhibitor Ameliorates Acute Graft-versus-Host Disease by Inhibiting Effector T Cell Differentiation while Sparing Regulatory T Cells.

Graft-versus-host disease (GVHD) remains to be a significant cause of morbidity and mortality after allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (HSCT). IL-2-inducible T cell kinase (ITK), a TEC cytoplasmic tyrosine kinase, has an essential role in T cell development and receptor signaling. The ITK/Bruton tyrosine kinase inhibitor ibrutinib has been shown to improve chronic GVHD symptoms; however, the effect of ITK selective inhibition on acute GVHD remains unclear. In this study, we evaluated the pharmacological effects of an ITK selective inhibitor (ITKsi) on acute GVHD using murine bone marrow transplantation models. First, we found that CD4+ T cell differentiation toward Th1, Th2, or Th17 was inhibited following ITKsi treatment in a dose-dependent manner while maintaining regulatory T cells in the presence of alloantigens both in vitro and in vivo. ITKsi preferentially inhibited inflammatory cytokine production and in vivo proliferation of alloreactive T cells. We then demonstrated that short-term exposure of donor graft cells to ITKsi significantly delayed the onset of GVHD-associated mortality without compromising the donor cell engraftment and the graft-versus-tumor effect, indicating the potential of ITK selective inhibition in the setting of clinical allogeneic HSCT. These findings suggest that ITK is a potential therapeutic target against GVHD, and the pharmacological ITK inhibitor may serve as a novel strategy for immune regulation after HSCT.

Donor Treg expansion by liposomal α-galactosylceramide modulates Tfh cells and prevents sclerodermatous chronic graft-versus-host disease.

BACKGROUND AND AIM: Chronic graft-versus-host disease (cGVHD) is a major cause of nonrelapse morbidity and mortality following hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (HSCT). α-Galactosylceramide (α-GC) is a synthetic glycolipid that is recognized by the invariant T-cell receptor of invariant natural killer T (iNKT) cells in a CD1d-restricted manner. Stimulation of iNKT cells by α-GC leads to the production of not only immune-stimulatory cytokines but also immune-regulatory cytokines followed by regulatory T-cell (Treg) expansion in vivo. METHODS: We investigated the effect of iNKT stimulation by liposomal α-GC just after transplant on the subsequent immune reconstitution and the development of sclerodermatous cGVHD. RESULTS: Our study showed that multiple administrations of liposomal α-GC modulated both host- and donor-derived iNKT cell homeostasis and induced an early expansion of donor Tregs. We also demonstrated that the immune modulation of the acute phase was followed by the decreased levels of CXCL13 in plasma and follicular helper T cells in lymph nodes, which inhibited germinal center formation, resulting in the efficient prevention of sclerodermatous cGVHD. CONCLUSIONS: These data demonstrated an important coordination of T- and B-cell immunity in the pathogenesis of cGVHD and may provide a novel clinical strategy for the induction of immune tolerance after allogeneic HSCT.

Total body irradiation-based haploidentical hematopoietic stem cell transplantation using posttransplant cyclophosphamide after administration of inotuzumab ozogamicin: A case report.

Owing to the poor prognosis of relapsed or refractory acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL), hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (HSCT) followed by effective salvage therapy is required. Inotuzumab ozogamicin (INO) was developed for ALL refractory to standard chemotherapy. However, previous reports suggest that sinusoidal obstruction syndrome (SOS) risk increases in patients with HSCT receiving INO, especially with dual alkylating agents. We report a case of relapsed Philadelphia chromosome-negative B-ALL where the patient underwent haploidentical HSCT using fludarabine/total body irradiation conditioning and posttransplant cyclophosphamide. Successful engraftment was achieved without SOS development.

Transformation to diffuse large B-cell lymphoma with germinal center B-cell like subtype and discordant light chain expression in a patient with Waldenström macroglobulinemia/lymphoplasmacytic lymphoma.

Waldenström macroglobulinemia (WM)/lymphoplasmacytic lymphoma (LPL) is a rare indolent B-cell neoplasm, and a gain-of-function mutation in the myeloid differentiation primary response 88 (MYD88), L265P, is a commonly recurring mutation in patients with WM/LPL. Histological transformation of WM/LPL to an aggressive lymphoma such as diffuse large B-cell lymphoma (DLBCL) is rare, and transformed DLBCL has a worse prognosis than de novo DLBCL, partly because transformed DLBCL is mostly classified as non-germinal center B-cell-like (non-GCB) subtype. We herein describe a 75-year-old man with DLBCL with a history of WM/LPL. DLBCL in this patient showed the GCB subtype, and the light chain restriction of DLBCL was different from that of the antecedent WM/LPL, indicating that the two types of lymphoma cells had distinctive origins. However, DLBCL in this patient harbored the MYD88 L265P mutation, and polymerase chain reaction and Sanger sequencing of the DLBCL and WM/LPL for immunoglobulin heavy chain gene rearrangement suggested a clonal relationship between the two lymphomas. Since the outcome of transformed DLBCL is worse than for de novo DLBCL, it is important to evaluate the clonal relationship between primary WM/LPL and the corresponding transformed DLBCL, even if the DLBCL expresses a GCB subtype or discordant light chain restriction.

5-aminolevulinic acid-mediated photodynamic therapy can target aggressive adult T cell leukemia/lymphoma resistant to conventional chemotherapy.

Photodynamic therapy (PDT) is an emerging treatment for various solid cancers. We recently reported that tumor cell lines and patient specimens from adult T cell leukemia/lymphoma (ATL) are susceptible to specific cell death by visible light exposure after a short-term culture with 5-aminolevulinic acid, indicating that extracorporeal photopheresis could eradicate hematological tumor cells circulating in peripheral blood. As a bridge from basic research to clinical trial of PDT for hematological malignancies, we here examined the efficacy of ALA-PDT on various lymphoid malignancies with circulating tumor cells in peripheral blood. We also examined the effects of ALA-PDT on tumor cells before and after conventional chemotherapy. With 16 primary blood samples from 13 patients, we demonstrated that PDT efficiently killed tumor cells without influencing normal lymphocytes in aggressive diseases such as acute ATL. Importantly, PDT could eradicate acute ATL cells remaining after standard chemotherapy or anti-CCR4 antibody, suggesting that PDT could work together with other conventional therapies in a complementary manner. The responses of PDT on indolent tumor cells were various but were clearly depending on accumulation of protoporphyrin IX, which indicates the possibility of biomarker-guided application of PDT. These findings provide important information for developing novel therapeutic strategy for hematological malignancies.

Treatment outcomes of IgG4-producing marginal zone B-cell lymphoma: a retrospective case series.

IgG4-producing marginal zone B-cell lymphomas (MZLs) have been recently proposed as a subtype of MZLs. Despite the abundant literature on pathophysiological features of this type of lymphoma, only a few retrospective studies pertaining to the treatment outcomes have been reported, and its prognosis remains unclear. We retrospectively analyzed seven patients with IgG4-producing MZLs diagnosed at our institute, with specific reference to treatment and outcomes. The median age was 69.0 years (55-79), and all were males. The median follow-up period was 66.6 months (8-121). All patients had localized disease; four patients had tumors of the ocular adnexa, whereas two had retroperitoneal tumors. Five patients were treated with irradiation (30 Gy/15 fr) (n = 4) or surgery (n = 1), resulting in tumor reduction. Two patients were treated by chemotherapy or irradiation. Among them, one commenced rituximab monotherapy, which led to an inadequate reduction of the tumor. Subsequent irradiation induced complete response (CR). The other patient experienced repeated relapses during follow-up and finally achieved CR by combination chemotherapy. Treatment was well tolerated in all cases, and none of the patients showed disease progression at the last follow-up visit. Our results indicate that the standard treatments for MZLs are generally appropriate for IgG4-producing MZL.

Allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell transplantation in a prior lung transplant recipient.

Hematological diseases after solid organ transplant (SOT) are an emerging issue as the number of long-term SOT survivors increases. Expertise in managing patients requiring allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (HSCT) after SOT from independent donors is needed; however, clinical reports of HSCT after SOT are limited, and the feasibility and risk are not well understood. In particular, HSCT in prior lung transplant recipients is thought to be complicated as the lung is immunologically distinct and is constantly exposed to the surrounding environment. Herein, we describe a case of successful HSCT in a patient with myelodysplastic syndromes who had previously received a lung transplant from a deceased donor for bronchiolitis obliterans syndrome. Reports about cases of HSCT after lung transplant are quite rare; thus, we discuss the mechanisms of immune tolerance through the clinical course of our case. This case suggests that HSCT after SOT can be considered a therapeutic option in cases where the transplanted organ is functionally retained and the hematological disease is in remission.

Adult T-cell Leukemia-lymphoma with Primary Breast Involvement: A Case Report and Literature Review.

Breast involvement of Adult T-cell leukemia-lymphoma (ATLL) is extremely rare, and the data on the characteristics are limited. We herein describe a 49-year-old woman who presented with skin involvement of ATLL. Positron emission tomography/computed tomography showed bilateral breast lesions. Although the patient once achieved a complete metabolic response, a relapse of her ATLL occurred. The patient received subsequent allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (HSCT). To our knowledge, only four cases of ATLL with breast involvement have previously been reported, and the prognoses have generally been poor. Breast lesions of ATLL have aggressive features, and intensive systemic chemotherapy and HSCT are required to improve survival.