Cytoreductive Surgery and Hyperthermic Intraperitoneal Chemotherapy to Treat Pseudomyxoma Peritonei of Ovarian Origin: A Retrospective French RENAPE Group Study.

BACKGROUND: Ovarian pseudomyxoma peritonei (OPMP) are rare, without well-defined therapeutic guidelines. We aimed to evaluate cytoreductive surgery (CRS) and hyperthermic intraperitoneal chemotherapy (HIPEC) to treat OPMP. METHODS: Patients from the French National Network for Rare Peritoneal Tumors (RENAPE) database with proven OPMP treated by CRS/HIPEC and with histologically normal appendix and digestive endoscopy were retrospectively included. Clinical and follow-up data were collected. Histopathological and immunohistochemical features were reviewed. RESULTS: Fifteen patients with a median age of 56 years were included. The median Peritoneal Cancer Index was 16. Following CRS, the completeness of cytoreduction (CC) score was CC-0 for 9/15 (60%) patients, CC-1 for 5/15 (33.3%) patients, and CC-2 for 1/15 (6.7%) patients. The median tumor size was 22.5 cm. After pathological review and immunohistochemical studies, tumors were classified as Group 1 (mucinous ovarian epithelial neoplasms) in 3/15 (20%) patients; Group 2 (mucinous neoplasm in ovarian teratoma) in 4/15 (26.7%) patients; Group 3 (mucinous neoplasm probably arising in ovarian teratoma) in 5/15 (33.3%) patients; and Group 4 (non-specific group) in 3/15 (20%) patients. Peritoneal lesions were OPMP pM1a/acellular, pM1b/grade 1 (hypocellular) and pM1b/grade 3 (signet-ring cells) in 13/15 (86.7%), 1/15 (6.7%) and 1/15 (6.7%) patients, respectively. Disease-free survival analysis showed a difference (p = 0.0463) between OPMP with teratoma/likely-teratoma origin (groups 2 and 3; 100% at 1, 5, and 10 years), and other groups (groups 1 and 4; 100%, 66.6%, and 50% at 1, 5, and 10 years, respectively). CONCLUSION: These results suggested that a primary therapeutic strategy using complete CRS/HIPEC for patients with OPMP led to favorable long-term outcomes.

Molecular Characterization of Primary Mediastinal Large B-Cell Lymphomas.

Since the description of primary mediastinal large B-cell lymphoma (PMBL) as a distinct entity from diffuse large B-cell lymphomas (DLBCL), numerous studies have made it possible to improve their definition. Despite this, this differential diagnosis can be challenging in daily practice. However, in some centers, PMBL may be treated according to a particular regimen, distinct from those used in DLBCL, emphasizing the importance of accurate identification at diagnosis. This study aimed to describe the histological and molecular characteristics of PMBL to improve the accuracy of their diagnosis. Forty-nine cases of PMBL were retrospectively retrieved. The mean age at diagnosis was 39 years (21-83), with a sex ratio of 0.88. All cases presented a fibrous background with diffuse growth of intermediate to large cells with an eosinophil (26/49, 53%) or retracted cytoplasm (23/49, 47%). "Hodgkin-like" cells were observed in 65% of cases (32/49, 65%). The phenotype was: BCL6+ (47/49, 96%), MUM1+ (40/49, 82%), CD30+ (43/49, 88%), and CD23+ (37/49, 75%). Genomic DNAs were tested by next generation sequencing of 33 cases using a custom design panel. Pathogenic variants were found in all cases. The most frequent mutations were: SOCS1 (30/33, 91%), TNFAIP3 (18/33, 54.5%), ITPKB (17/33, 51.5%), GNA13 (16/33, 48.5%), CD58 (12/33, 36.4%), B2M (12/33; 36.4%), STAT6 (11/33, 33.3%) as well as ARID1A (10/33, 30.3%), XPO1 (9/33, 27.3%), CIITA (8/33, 24%), and NFKBIE (8/33, 24%). The present study describes a PMBL cohort on morphological, immunohistochemical, and molecular levels to provide pathologists with daily routine tools. These data also reinforce interest in an integrated histomolecular diagnosis to allow a precision diagnosis as early as possible.

A PK-PD model linking biomarker dynamics to progression-free survival in patients treated with everolimus and sorafenib combination therapy, EVESOR phase I trial.

PURPOSE: The objective was to develop a pharmacokinetic-pharmacodynamic (PK-PD) model linking everolimus and sorafenib exposure with biomarker dynamics and progression-free survival (PFS) based on data from EVESOR trial in patients with solid tumors treated with everolimus and sorafenib combination therapy and to simulate alternative dosing schedules for sorafenib. PATIENTS AND METHODS: Everolimus (5-10 mg once daily, qd) and sorafenib (200-400 mg twice daily, bid) were administered according to four different dosing schedules in 43 solid tumor patients. Rich PK and PD sampling for serum angiogenesis biomarkers was performed. Baseline activation of RAS/RAF/ERK (MAPK) pathway was assessed by quantification of mRNA specific gene panel in tumor biopsies. The PK-PD modeling was performed using NONMEM® software. RESULTS: An indirect response PK-PD model linking sorafenib plasma exposure with soluble vascular endothelial growth factor receptor 2 (sVEGFR2) dynamics was developed. Progression-free survival (PFS) was described by a parametric time-to-event model. Higher decreases in sVEGFR2 at day 21 and higher baseline activation of MAPK pathway were associated with longer PFS (p = 0.002 and p = 0.007, respectively). The simulated schedule sorafenib 200 mg bid 5 days-on/2 days-off + continuous everolimus 5 mg qd was associated with median PFS of 4.3 months (95% CI 1.6-14.4), whereas the median PFS in the EVESOR trial was 3.6 months (95% CI 2.7-4.2, n = 43). CONCLUSION: Sorafenib 200 mg bid 5 days-on/2 days-off + everolimus 5 mg qd continuous was selected for an additional arm of EVESOR trial to evaluate whether this simulated schedule is associated with higher clinical benefit. TRIAL REGISTRATION: ClinicalTrials.gov Identifier: NCT01932177.

Deciphering the spectrum of cutaneous lymphomas expressing TFH markers.

T-follicular helper (TFH) markers are expressed in the microenvironnement of marginal zone B-cell lymphoma (MZL), and in lymphomas arising from TFH-cells, sometimes making the differential diagnosis difficult. In the skin, the "TFH-spectrum" is poorly defined, going from primary cutaneous lymphoproliferative disorder with small/medium CD4+ T-cells (SMLPD) to cutaneous localizations of systemic angioimmunoblastic T-cell lymphoma (cAITL), and may pass through intermediate forms (primary cutaneous T-follicular helper derived lymphoma, not otherwise specified (PCTFHL,NOS)). We retrospectively analyzed 20 MZL, 13 SMLPD, 5 PCTFHL, and 11 cAITL clinically, histologically, and molecularly, to define tools to differentiate them. Characteristics that might favor the diagnosis of MZL over SMLPD are: multiple skin nodules (p < 0.001), nodular architecture (p < 0.01), residual germinal centers with follicular dendritic cell network (p < 0.001), monotypic plasma cells (p < 0.001), and few staining with PD1 (p = 0.016) or CXCL13 (p = 0.03). PCTFHL and cAITL presented as multiple (p < 0.01) lesions, in older patients (p < 0.01), with systemic symptoms and/or biological alterations (p < 0.01). Immunophenotypic loss of T-cell markers (p < 0.001), BCL6 (p = 0.023) and/or CD10 staining (p = 0.08), and a higher proliferative index (≥ 30%, p = 0.039) favoured these diagnoses over SMLPD. Pathogenic variants were observed by genomic sequencing in 47% of MZL (TNFAIP3 (32%), EP300 (21%), NOTCH2 (16%), KMT2D (16%), CARD11 (10.5%)), 8% of SMLPD (TET2), 40% of PCTFHL (SOCS1 (20%), ARID1A (20%)) and 64% of cAITL (TET2 (63.6%), RHOA (36.4%), NOTCH1 (9%)). This study characterizes the various clinical and histological features between cutaneous lymphomas expressing TFH markers and highlights the value of the interest of screening for genomic mutations in difficult cases.

Clinical results of the EVESOR trial, a multiparameter phase I trial of everolimus and sorafenib combination in solid tumors.

PURPOSE: Everolimus (EVE) and sorafenib (SOR) combination was associated with synergistic activity in preclinical models. However, previous clinical studies were hampered by cumulative toxicities when both were given continuously. The academic EVESOR trial (NCT01932177) was designed to assess alternative doses and intermittent dosing schedules of EVE and SOR combination therapy to improve the benefit-risk ratio for patients with solid tumors. METHODS: EVESOR is a multiparameter dose-escalation phase I trial investigating different doses and dosing schedules, with the final objective of generating data for modeling and simulation. Patients were allocated into continuous (A and B) or intermittent (C and D) schedules to determine the recommended phase II dose (RP2D). The clinical outcomes are presented here. RESULTS: Forty-three patients were included from 2013 to 2019. Most of them had gynecological (25.6%), cholangiocarcinomas (23.2%), colorectal (14.0%), and breast cancers (11.6%). Dose-escalation up to EVE 10 mg QD and SOR 400 mg BID was possible on intermittent schedules. Five dose-limiting toxicities were observed, and dose reductions were required in 39.5% patients, stabilizing at EVE 5 mg and SOR 200 mg BID for 58.1% of them. The overall response rate was 6.3%, and disease control rate was 75.0%. The median progression-free survival (PFS) was 3.6 months. The longest median PFS were observed in cholangiocarcinomas (9.9 months), and gynecological adenocarcinomas (9.2 months). CONCLUSION: Intermittent arms were associated with improved efficacy/toxicity profiles; and EVE 5 mg QD and SOR 200 mg BID was defined a clinically feasible dose. Strong signs of efficacy were found in cholangiocarcinomas and gynecologic carcinomas. TRIAL REGISTRATION: ClinicalTrials.gov Identifier: NCT01932177.

Monomorphic epitheliotropic intestinal T-cell lymphoma comprises morphologic and genomic heterogeneity impacting outcome.

Monomorphic epitheliotropic intestinal T-cell lymphoma (MEITL) is a rare aggressive T-cell lymphoma most reported in Asia. We performed a comprehensive clinical, pathological and genomic study of 71 European MEITL patients (36 males, 35 females, median age 67 years). The majority presented with gastrointestinal involvement and had emergency surgery, and 40% had stage IV disease. The tumors were morphologically classified into two groups: typical (58%) and atypical (i.e., non-monomorphic or with necrosis, angiotropism or starry-sky pattern) (42%), sharing a homogeneous immunophenotypic profile (CD3+ [98%] CD4- [94%] CD5- [97%] CD7+ [97%] CD8+ [90%] CD56+ [86%] CD103+ [80%] cytotoxic marker+ [98%]) with more frequent expression of TCRgd (50%) than TCRab (32%). MYC expression (30% of cases) partly reflecting MYC gene locus alterations, correlated with non-monomorphic cytology. Almost all cases (97%) harbored deleterious mutation(s) and/or deletion of the SETD2 gene and 90% had defective H3K36 trimethylation. Other frequently mutated genes were STAT5B (57%), JAK3 (50%), TP53 (35%), JAK1 (12.5%), BCOR and ATM (11%). Both TP53 mutations and MYC expression correlated with atypical morphology. The median overall survival (OS) of 63 patients (43/63 only received chemotherapy after initial surgery) was 7.8 months. Multivariate analysis found a strong negative impact on outcome of MYC expression, TP53 mutation, STAT5B mutation and poor performance status while aberrant B-cell marker expression (20% of cases) correlated with better survival. In conclusion, MEITL is an aggressive disease with resistance to conventional therapy, predominantly characterized by driver gene alterations deregulating histone methylation and JAK/STAT signaling and encompasses genetic and morphologic variants associated with very high clinical risk.

Plasticity in Classical Hodgkin Composite Lymphomas: A Systematic Review.

The co-occurrence of several lymphomas in a patient defines composite/synchronous lymphoma. A common cellular origin has been reported for both contingents of such entities. In the present review, we aimed to gather the available data on composite lymphomas associating a classical Hodgkin lymphoma (cHL) with another lymphoma, to better understand the plasticity of mature B and T-cells. This review highlights that >70% of patients with a composite lymphoma are ≥55 years old, with a male predominance. The most reported associations are cHL with follicular lymphoma or diffuse large B-cell lymphoma, with over 130 cases reported. The cHL contingent is often of mixed cellularity type, with a more frequent focal/weak CD20 expression (30% to 55.6%) compared to de novo cHL, suggesting a particular pathophysiology. Moreover, Hodgkin cells may express specific markers of the associated lymphoma (e.g., BCL2/BCL6 for follicular lymphoma and Cyclin D1 for mantle cell lymphoma), sometimes combined with common BCL2/BCL6 or CCND1 rearrangements, respectively. In addition, both contingents may share similar IgH/IgK rearrangements and identical pathogenic variants, reinforcing the hypothesis of a common clonal origin. Finally, cHL appears to be endowed with a greater plasticity than previously thought, supporting a common clonal origin and a transdifferentiation process during lymphomagenesis of composite lymphomas.

[Rosai-Dorfman-Destombes disease with a misleading laryngeal presentation]. / Une maladie de Rosai­Dorfman­Destombes de présentation laryngée trompeuse.

Rosai-Dorfman-Destombes disease is a rare non-Langerhansian cell histiocytosis characterized by the accumulation of large activated histiocytes in the affected tissues with images of emperipolesis. The diagnosis is not really problematic in the classical forms, with a lymph node presentation, whose histology is very suggestive. However, it can be much more difficult in the extra-nodal forms, which are misleading in both their clinical and histological presentation. We report here a case illustrating this diagnostic difficulty. Firstly, clinically, the disease was revealed by an unusual laryngeal location, responsible for acute obstructive respiratory distress and requiring urgent surgical management. Secondly, histologically, the diagnosis was not evoked in the first instance by analysis of the laryngeal lesion. Indeed, there was a not specific appearing polymorphic infiltrate, associating small lymphocytes, plasma cells and numerous histiocytes, without evidence for a lymphoma after immunohistochemistry and lymphocyte clonality analysis. However, after re-examination of the slides, the histiocytes sometimes appeared large or xanthomised and have a PS100+, CD1a-, langerhine- phenotype, with rare images of emperipolesis. These aspects finally suggested the diagnosis of Rosai-Dorfman-Destombes disease, then confirmed by a cervical lymph node biopsy showing characteristic histological features. Simultaneously, NGS analysis of the laryngeal lesion showed a mutation in the MAP2K1 gene, in accordance with the diagnosis. The patient was treated with revlimid and dexamethasone for 6 months, with complete remission, and is currently undergoing maintenance treatment with revlimid.

Lymphoma diagnosis: lessons learned from the comparison of histology and cytology associated with flow cytometry.

For lymphoma diagnosis, the flow cytometry (FCM) and cytology associated with FCM (C-FCM) performed on fine needle aspiration (FNA) or cell suspension/imprints from fresh tissue display a good concordance (from 85 to 90%) with the diagnosis made using histological data. Herein is reported a retrospective series of discordant cases, five of them are discussed in details, and some recommendations are proposed for the interpretation of C-FCM data. Firstly, this review highlights the importance of analyzing simultaneously the cytological and FCM data. In particular, the cytological data are crucial to interpret FCM data and/or to complete Ab panels when the strategy of the laboratory is to systematically perform a first screening, which don't always allow the detection of lymphoma cells. Secondly, this report underlines that cytology and FCM analysis should be followed by a confrontation/discussion with a pathologist. Finally, C-FCM appears to be a rapid and particularly important technic to guide the choice of the following diagnosis tools (IHC and genetic).

5-hmC loss is another useful tool in addition to BAP1 and MTAP immunostains to distinguish diffuse malignant peritoneal mesothelioma from reactive mesothelial hyperplasia in peritoneal cytology cell-blocks and biopsies.

The differentiation between reactive mesothelial hyperplasia (RMH) and diffuse malignant peritoneal mesothelioma (DMPM) is challenging especially when applied on peritoneal small samples. The use of BRCA-associated protein 1 (BAP1) and methylthioadenosine phosphorylase (MTAP) immunostains is familiar to identify malignant mesothelial proliferation. Recently, nuclear 5-hydroxymethylcytosine (5-hmC) was reported to be a new recognition tool of pleural mesothelial malignancy on surgical specimens. However, application of 5-hmC immunostaining has not yet studied in peritoneal specimens from small biopsies or cytology cell-blocks. The aim was to assess the diagnostic accuracy of this new marker combination to distinguish DMPM from RMH in biopsies and cell-blocks. Seventy-five cases were analyzed; among which, 38 were of cytological specimens including 6 RMH and 32 DMPM, and 37 tissue biopsies with 7 RMH and 30 DMPM. BAP1, MTAP, and 5-hmC immunostains were performed on all cases. RMH cases exhibited a retained staining with all immunostains. Among DMPM, BAP1 was lost in 71.8% of cytology cell-blocks and 66.7% of biopsies. MTAP was lost in 40.6% of cytology cell-blocks and 33.3% of biopsies. 5-hmC was lost in 40.6% of cytology cell-blocks and 30% of biopsies. The combination of BAP1, MTAP, and 5-hmC showed the best accuracy in differential diagnosis between RMH and DMPM (sensitivity = 0.84, specificity = 1 in cytology cell-blocks; sensitivity = 0.90, specificity = 1 in biopsy). The best diagnostic combination in peritoneal cytology effusion fluids and biopsies samples provided by BAP1, MTAP, and 5-hmC should be applied on a diagnostic step-wise algorithm by pathologists involved into the management of DMPM, because of their therapeutic implications.

Calcified Leg Ulcers in Older Patients: Clinical Description, Morphology, and Chemical Characterization.

Chronic wounds, including leg ulcers, constitute an important medical problem among older patients. Dystrophic calcifications (DC) are associated with a variety of disorders, including leg ulcers. The aim of this study was to report the clinical and biological characteristics of older patients with DC in leg ulcers and to determine the morphology and chemical composition of these calcifications. We conducted a prospective monocentric study in our Geriatric-Wound and Healing ward, Rothschild Hospital, Paris, from January 2018 to December 2019. Patients with leg ulcers were screened for DC by palpation. Patients' clinical, biological, and radiological findings were collected. DC morphology was analyzed using field-emission scanning electron microscopy and chemical composition was analyzed using µFourier transform infra-red spectroscopy and X-ray Fluorescence. Ten (7%) of the 143 patients hospitalized for leg ulcers presented DC. Older patients with DC were more likely to have leg ulcers with venous insufficiency (p = .015), colonized by Pseudomonas aeruginosa (p = .026), with a longer healing evolution (p = .0072) and hypercalcemia (p = .041). Five DC were extracted from ulcers: 2 presented 500 nm lacunar spheres and intermingled fibrils of about 10 nm in diameter, consistent with bacterial and biofilm imprints. DC were always composed of calcium-phosphate apatite and associated to the presence of zinc. Our analyses were consistent with the involvement of microorganisms and inflammatory process in DC formation. Early management of venous insufficiency, treatment of chronic bacterial colonization and use of calcium-solubilizing drugs seem to be rational strategies for calcified leg ulcer management in older patients.

Plasticity of Mature B Cells Between Follicular and Classic Hodgkin Lymphomas: A Series of 22 Cases Expanding the Spectrum of Transdifferentiation.

Follicular lymphoma and classic Hodgkin lymphoma can be associated in composite and/or sequential lymphomas. Common IGH and BCL2 rearrangements have already been identified between both contingents of these entities, but mutation profiles have not yet been investigated. The main objective of this study was to analyze the transdifferentiation process that may occur between Hodgkin and follicular contingents in sequential and composite lymphomas to better characterize these entities. From 2004 to 2020, a retrospective multicentric study was performed, including 9 composite and 13 sequential lymphomas. Clinical data were retrospectively collected. Fluorescent in situ hybridization of BCL2 and BCL6 rearrangements, polymerase chain reaction of IGH and IGK rearrangements, next-generation sequencing of IGK rearrangement, and targeted next-generation sequencing (TNGS) on a panel of genes frequently mutated in lymphomas were performed on each contingent of composite and sequential lymphomas. For TNGS, each contingent was isolated by laser capture microdissection. Clinical presentation and evolution were more aggressive in sequential than composite lymphomas. By fluorescent in situ hybridization, common rearrangements of BCL6 and BCL2 were identified between both contingents. Similarly, a common clonal relationship was established by evaluating IGH and IGK rearrangement by polymerase chain reaction or next-generation sequencing. By TNGS, the same pathogenic variants were identified in both contingents in the following genes: CREBBP, KMT2D, BCL2, EP300, SF3B1, SOCS1, ARID1A, and BCOR. Specific pathogenic variants for each contingent were also identified: XPO1 for Hodgkin lymphoma contingent and FOXO1, TNFRSF14 for follicular lymphoma contingent. This study reinforces the hypothesis of a transdifferentiation process between Hodgkin and follicular contingent of sequential/composite lymphomas.

Appendiceal tumors and pseudomyxoma peritonei: French Intergroup Clinical Practice Guidelines for diagnosis, treatments and follow-up (RENAPE, RENAPATH, SNFGE, FFCD, GERCOR, UNICANCER, SFCD, SFED, SFRO, ACHBT, SFR).

INTRODUCTION: This document is a summary of the French Intergroup guidelines regarding the management of appendicular epithelial tumors (AT) and pseudomyxoma peritonei (PMP) published in March 2020, available on the website of the French Society of Gastroenterology (SNFGE) (www.tncd.org). METHODS: All French medical societies specialized in the management of AT and PMP collaboratively established these recommendations based on literature until December 2019 and the results of a Delphi vote carried out by the Peritoneal Surface Oncology Group International experts, and graded into 4 categories (A, B, C, Expert Agreement) according to their level of evidence. RESULTS: AT and PMP are rare but represent a wide range of clinico-pathological entities with several pathological classification systems and different biological behaviors. Their treatment modalities may vary accordingly and range from simple surveillance or laparoscopic appendectomy to complete cytoreductive surgery (CRS) with hyperthermic intraperitoneal chemotherapy (HIPEC) and / or systemic chemotherapy. The prognosis of these neoplasms may also largely vary according to their pathological grade and spreading at diagnosis or during the follow-up. Given the rarity of certain situations, the therapeutic strategy adapted to each patient, must be discussed in a specialized multidisciplinary meeting after a specialized pathological and radiological pre-therapeutic assessment and a clinical examination by a surgeon specializing in the management of rare peritoneal malignancies. CONCLUSION: These recommendations are proposed to achieve the most beneficial strategy in a daily practice as the wide range and the rareness of these entities renders their management challenging. These guidelines are permanently being reviewed.

Prevalence and risk factors of dermatoporosis in older adults in a rehabilitation hospital.

BACKGROUND: The term dermatoporosis (DP) is used to describe the clinical signs and functional consequences of age-related extreme skin fragility. It is associated with potentially severe complications, including deep dissecting hematomas and extended skin lacerations. No studies have evaluated the prevalence and risk factors of DP in adults aged 75 and older. METHODS: The aim of our study was to assess the prevalence, complications, and risk factors of DP in a cohort of older patients hospitalized in a rehabilitation center. A case-control, single-center study was conducted between September and October 2020 in our rehabilitation ward, Rothschild Hospital, Paris, France. A senior dermatologist and a resident in geriatric medicine performed a systematic dermatological examination. The presence of DP, its stage, its location, and complications were collected, as were demographical data, comorbidities, past sun exposure, skin phototype, treatments, and biological data. RESULTS: A total of 101 patients (62 women, median age 86 years [extreme values 75-104]) were included. The overall prevalence of DP was 27%. Stage 1 was the most frequent. DP was mainly located on the upper limbs. Ten (37%) patients had a DP complication: eight (30%) skin lacerations and two (7%) deep dissecting hematomas. Multivariate analysis revealed a significant association between DP and age (odds ratio [OR] 5.82, 95% confidence interval [CI] 1.67-24.92, p = 0.009), smoking (OR 8.67, 95% CI 2.59-34.85, p = 0.001), recreational sun exposure (OR 4.23, 95% CI 1.30-15.21, p = 0.02), and anticoagulant therapy (OR 4.53, 95% CI 1.32-17.26, p = 0.02). CONCLUSION: Our study is the first to analyze the prevalence and risk factors of DP in older adults in rehabilitation. Frequency of DP makes it relevant for the geriatrician and should be described more to prevent potential severe complications. A multicentric study, with inpatients and outpatients, could evaluate the prevalence of DP in a more representative older adult population.

Crystal-storing histiocytosis and Bing-Neel-like syndrome revealing a small B-cell lymphoma with plasmacytic differentiation, presumed to be a marginal zone lymphoma.

Crystal-storing histiocytosis and Bing-Neel syndrome are two diseases induced by paraproteins. Herein, we report a rare case of crystal-storing histiocytosis associated with Bing-Neel-like neurological manifestations in the context of a small B-cell lymphoma with plasmacytic differentiation, presumed to be a marginal zone lymphoma.

New Insights into the Biology and Diagnosis of Splenic Marginal Zone Lymphomas.

Splenic marginal zone lymphoma (SMZL) is a small B-cell lymphoma, which has been recognized as a distinct pathological entity since the WHO 2008 classification. It classically presents an indolent evolution, but a third of patients progress rapidly and require aggressive treatments, such as immuno-chemotherapy or splenectomy, with all associated side effects. In recent years, advances in the comprehension of SMZL physiopathology have multiplied, thanks to the arrival of new devices in the panel of available molecular biology techniques, allowing the discovery of new molecular findings. In the era of targeted therapies, an update of current knowledge is needed to guide future researches, such as those on epigenetic modifications or the microenvironment of these lymphomas.

Clinicopathological features and survival in EBV-positive diffuse large B-cell lymphoma not otherwise specified.

In this retrospective study, we report 70 cases of Epstein-Barr virus (EBV)+ diffuse large B-cell lymphoma not otherwise specified (DLBCL-NOS) among 1696 DLBCL-NOS cases diagnosed between 2006 and 2019 (prevalence of 4.1%). At diagnosis, median age was 68.5 years; 79% of the cases presented with an advanced-stage disease (III-IV), 48% with extranodal lesions, and 14% with an hemophagocytic lymphohistiocytosis (HLH) (8 at diagnosis and 1 on therapy). A total of 46 cases presented a polymorphic pattern, and 21 were monomorphic. All had a non-germinal center B phenotype, with the majority of tumor cells expressing CD30 and programmed death ligand 1 (98% and 95%, respectively). Type II and III EBV latency was seen in 88% and 12% of the cases, respectively. Patients were treated with immunochemotherapy (59%) or chemotherapy (22%), and 19% received palliative care due to advanced age and altered performance status. After a median follow-up of 48 months, progression-free survival (PFS) and overall survival (OS) at 5 years were 52.7% and 54.8%, respectively. Older age (>50 years) and HLH were associated with shorter PFS and OS in multivariate analysis (PFS: hazard ratio [HR], 14.01; 95% confidence interval [CI], 2.34-83.97; and HR, 5.78; 95% CI, 2.35-14.23; OS: HR, 12.41; 95% CI, 1.65-93.53; and HR, 6.09; 95% CI, 2.42-15.30, respectively). Finally, using a control cohort of 425 EBV- DLBCL-NOS, EBV positivity was associated with a shorter OS outcome within patients >50 years (5-year OS, 53% [95% CI, 38.2-74] vs 60.8% [95% CI, 55.4-69.3], P = .038), but not in younger patients.