Treatment consistent with idiopathic multicentric Castleman disease guidelines is associated with improved outcomes.

Idiopathic multicentric Castleman disease (iMCD) is a rare hematologic disorder with an unknown etiology. Clinical presentation is heterogeneous, ranging from mild constitutional symptoms with lymphadenopathy to life-threatening multiorgan dysfunction. International, consensus treatment guidelines developed in 2018 relied upon a limited number of clinical trials and small case series; however, to our knowledge, real-world performance of these recommendations has not been subsequently studied. Siltuximab, a monoclonal antibody against interleukin 6 (IL6), is approved for the treatment of iMCD and recommended first-line, and tocilizumab, a monoclonal antibody directed against the IL6 receptor, is recommended when siltuximab is unavailable. Chemotherapy, rituximab, and immunomodulators are recommended as second- and third-line treatments based on limited evidence. Corticosteroid monotherapy is used by clinicians, although not recommended. Here, we draw upon the ACCELERATE Natural History Registry to inventory regimens and evaluate regimen response for 102 expert-confirmed iMCD cases. Siltuximab with/without (w/wo) corticosteroids was associated with a 52% response, whereas corticosteroid monotherapy was associated with a 3% response. Anti-IL6-directed therapy with siltuximab or tocilizumab demonstrated better response and more durability than was observed with rituximab w/wo corticosteroids. Cytotoxic chemotherapy was associated with a 52% response and was predominantly administered in patients characterized by thrombocytopenia, anasarca, fever, renal failure/reticulin fibrosis, and organomegaly. Our results provide evidence in support of current recommendations to administer anti-IL6 as first-line treatment, to administer cytotoxic chemotherapy in patients with severe refractory disease, and to limit corticosteroid monotherapy. Evidence remains limited for effective agents for patients who are refractory to anti-IL6-directed therapy. This trial was registered at www.clinicaltrials.gov as #NCT02817997.

Siltuximab is associated with improved progression-free survival in idiopathic multicentric Castleman disease.

Idiopathic multicentric Castleman disease (iMCD) is a rare heterogeneous disorder involving multicentric lymphadenopathy, systemic inflammation, and cytokine-driven organ dysfunction. Despite the approval of siltuximab, a monoclonal antibody against interleukin-6, for the treatment of iMCD, it is not known how long patients should receive siltuximab before determining whether the treatment is beneficial and should be continued. We performed post hoc analyses of the phase 2 randomized double-blind placebo-controlled trial of siltuximab for the treatment of patients with iMCD to determine the sequence of normalization of laboratory, clinical, and lymph node responses in patients who responded to siltuximab. Seventy-nine patients were enrolled in the trial (siltuximab, n = 53; placebo plus best supportive care, n = 26). Progression-free survival (PFS) was significantly improved in siltuximab-treated patients compared with those receiving placebo (P = .0001). The median PFS was 14.5 months (95% confidence interval, 13.6 months to upper bound not reached) for patients receiving placebo but was not reached for patients receiving siltuximab. In siltuximab-treated patients who achieved durable tumor (radiologic) and symptomatic responses (18 [34%] of 53), the median time to normalization of abnormal laboratory tests and clinical end points occurred in the following sequence: thrombocytosis, symptomatic response, elevated C-reactive protein, hypoalbuminemia, anemia, lymph node response, hyperfibrinogenemia, and elevated immunoglobulin G. Siltuximab treatment prolongs PFS, rapidly improves symptomatology, and provides meaningful clinical benefit despite some laboratory tests and enlarged lymph nodes taking months to normalize in treatment responders. These data support the continued frontline use of siltuximab for iMCD, as recommended by international guidelines. This trial was registered at www.clinicaltrials.gov as #NCT01024036.

Discovery and validation of a novel subgroup and therapeutic target in idiopathic multicentric Castleman disease.

Idiopathic multicentric Castleman disease (iMCD) is a poorly understood hematologic disorder involving cytokine-induced polyclonal lymphoproliferation, systemic inflammation, and potentially fatal multiorgan failure. Although the etiology of iMCD is unknown, interleukin-6 (IL-6) is an established disease driver in approximately one-third of patients. Anti-IL-6 therapy, siltuximab, is the only US Food and Drug Administration-approved treatment. Few options exist for siltuximab nonresponders, and no validated tests are available to predict likelihood of response. We procured and analyzed the largest-to-date cohort of iMCD samples, which enabled classification of iMCD into disease categories, discovery of siltuximab response biomarkers, and identification of therapeutic targets for siltuximab nonresponders. Proteomic quantification of 1178 analytes was performed on serum of 88 iMCD patients, 60 patients with clinico-pathologically overlapping diseases (human herpesvirus-8-associated MCD, N = 20; Hodgkin lymphoma, N = 20; rheumatoid arthritis, N = 20), and 42 healthy controls. Unsupervised clustering revealed iMCD patients have heterogeneous serum proteomes that did not cluster with clinico-pathologically overlapping diseases. Clustering of iMCD patients identified a novel subgroup with superior response to siltuximab, which was validated using a 7-analyte panel (apolipoprotein E, amphiregulin, serum amyloid P-component, inactivated complement C3b, immunoglobulin E, IL-6, erythropoietin) in an independent cohort. Enrichment analyses and immunohistochemistry identified Janus kinase (JAK)/signal transducer and activator of transcription 3 signaling as a candidate therapeutic target that could potentially be targeted with JAK inhibitors in siltuximab nonresponders. Our discoveries demonstrate the potential for accelerating discoveries for rare diseases through multistakeholder collaboration.

International evidence-based consensus diagnostic and treatment guidelines for unicentric Castleman disease.

Castleman disease (CD) includes a group of rare and heterogeneous disorders with characteristic lymph node histopathological abnormalities. CD can occur in a single lymph node station, which is referred to as unicentric CD (UCD). CD can also involve multicentric lymphadenopathy and inflammatory symptoms (multicentric CD [MCD]). MCD includes human herpesvirus-8 (HHV-8)-associated MCD, POEMS-associated MCD, and HHV-8-/idiopathic MCD (iMCD). The first-ever diagnostic and treatment guidelines were recently developed for iMCD by an international expert consortium convened by the Castleman Disease Collaborative Network (CDCN). The focus of this report is to establish similar guidelines for the management of UCD. To this purpose, an international working group of 42 experts from 10 countries was convened to establish consensus recommendations based on review of treatment in published cases of UCD, the CDCN ACCELERATE registry, and expert opinion. Complete surgical resection is often curative and is therefore the preferred first-line therapy, if possible. The management of unresectable UCD is more challenging. Existing evidence supports that asymptomatic unresectable UCD may be observed. The anti-interleukin-6 monoclonal antibody siltuximab should be considered for unresectable UCD patients with an inflammatory syndrome. Unresectable UCD that is symptomatic as a result of compression of vital neighboring structures may be rendered amenable to resection by medical therapy (eg, rituximab, steroids), radiotherapy, or embolization. Further research is needed in UCD patients with persisting constitutional symptoms despite complete excision and normal laboratory markers. We hope that these guidelines will improve outcomes in UCD and help treating physicians decide the best therapeutic approach for their patients.

Novel insights and therapeutic approaches in idiopathic multicentric Castleman disease.

Castleman disease (CD) describes a heterogeneous group of hematologic disorders that share characteristic lymph node histopathology. Patients of all ages present with either a solitary enlarged lymph node (unicentric CD) or multicentric lymphadenopathy (MCD) with systemic inflammation, cytopenias, and life-threatening multiple organ dysfunction resulting from a cytokine storm often driven by interleukin 6 (IL-6). Uncontrolled human herpesvirus-8 (HHV-8) infection causes approximately 50% of MCD cases, whereas the etiology is unknown in the remaining HHV-8-negative/idiopathic MCD cases (iMCD). The limited understanding of etiology, cell types, and signaling pathways involved in iMCD has slowed development of treatments and contributed to historically poor patient outcomes. Here, recent progress for diagnosing iMCD, characterizing etio-pathogenesis, and advancing treatments are reviewed. Several clinicopathological analyses provided the evidence base for the first-ever diagnostic criteria and revealed distinct clinical subtypes: thrombocytopenia, anasarca, fever, reticulin fibrosis/renal dysfunction, organomegaly (iMCD-TAFRO) or iMCD-not otherwise specified (iMCD-NOS), which are both observed all over the world. In 2014, the anti-IL-6 therapy siltuximab became the first iMCD treatment approved by the US Food and Drug Administration, on the basis of a 34% durable response rate; consensus guidelines recommend it as front-line therapy. Recent cytokine and proteomic profiling has revealed normal IL-6 levels in many patients with iMCD and potential alternative driver cytokines. Candidate novel genomic alterations, dysregulated cell types, and signaling pathways have also been identified as candidate therapeutic targets. RNA sequencing for viral transcripts did not reveal novel viruses, HHV-8, or other viruses pathologically associated with iMCD. Despite progress, iMCD remains poorly understood. Further efforts to elucidate etiology, pathogenesis, and treatment approaches, particularly for siltuximab-refractory patients, are needed.

Novel insights and therapeutic approaches in idiopathic multicentric Castleman disease.

Castleman disease (CD) describes a heterogeneous group of hematologic disorders that share characteristic lymph node histopathology. Patients of all ages present with either a solitary enlarged lymph node (unicentric CD) or multicentric lymphadenopathy (MCD) with systemic inflammation, cytopenias, and life-threatening multiple organ dysfunction resulting from a cytokine storm often driven by interleukin 6 (IL-6). Uncontrolled human herpesvirus-8 (HHV-8) infection causes approximately 50% of MCD cases, whereas the etiology is unknown in the remaining HHV-8-negative/idiopathic MCD cases (iMCD). The limited understanding of etiology, cell types, and signaling pathways involved in iMCD has slowed development of treatments and contributed to historically poor patient outcomes. Here, recent progress for diagnosing iMCD, characterizing etio-pathogenesis, and advancing treatments are reviewed. Several clinicopathological analyses provided the evidence base for the first-ever diagnostic criteria and revealed distinct clinical subtypes: thrombocytopenia, anasarca, fever, reticulin fibrosis/renal dysfunction, organomegaly (iMCD-TAFRO) or iMCD-not otherwise specified (iMCD-NOS), which are both observed all over the world. In 2014, the anti-IL-6 therapy siltuximab became the first iMCD treatment approved by the US Food and Drug Administration, on the basis of a 34% durable response rate; consensus guidelines recommend it as front-line therapy. Recent cytokine and proteomic profiling has revealed normal IL-6 levels in many patients with iMCD and potential alternative driver cytokines. Candidate novel genomic alterations, dysregulated cell types, and signaling pathways have also been identified as candidate therapeutic targets. RNA sequencing for viral transcripts did not reveal novel viruses, HHV-8, or other viruses pathologically associated with iMCD. Despite progress, iMCD remains poorly understood. Further efforts to elucidate etiology, pathogenesis, and treatment approaches, particularly for siltuximab-refractory patients, are needed.

International, evidence-based consensus treatment guidelines for idiopathic multicentric Castleman disease.

Castleman disease (CD) describes a group of heterogeneous hematologic disorders with characteristic histopathological features. CD can present with unicentric or multicentric (MCD) regions of lymph node enlargement. Some cases of MCD are caused by human herpesvirus-8 (HHV-8), whereas others are HHV-8-negative/idiopathic (iMCD). Treatment of iMCD is challenging, and outcomes can be poor because no uniform treatment guidelines exist, few systematic studies have been conducted, and no agreed upon response criteria have been described. The purpose of this paper is to establish consensus, evidence-based treatment guidelines based on the severity of iMCD to improve outcomes. An international Working Group of 42 experts from 10 countries was convened by the Castleman Disease Collaborative Network to establish consensus guidelines for the management of iMCD based on published literature, review of treatment effectiveness for 344 cases, and expert opinion. The anti-interleukin-6 monoclonal antibody siltuximab (or tocilizumab, if siltuximab is not available) with or without corticosteroids is the preferred first-line therapy for iMCD. In the most severe cases, adjuvant combination chemotherapy is recommended. Additional agents are recommended, tailored by disease severity, as second- and third-line therapies for treatment failures. Response criteria were formulated to facilitate the evaluation of treatment failure or success. These guidelines should help treating physicians to stratify patients based on disease severity in order to select the best available therapeutic option. An international registry for patients with CD (ACCELERATE, #NCT02817997) was established in October 2016 to collect patient outcomes to increase the evidence base for selection of therapies in the future.

A life-threatening case of TAFRO syndrome with dramatic response to tocilizumab, rituximab, and pulse steroids: The first case report in Latin America.

RATIONALE: This is the report of the first case of TAFRO syndrome (Thrombocytopenia, Anasarca, myelofibrosis, Renal dysfunction, Organomegaly) in Latin America. PATIENT CONCERNS: The patient was a 61-year-old white woman of Ashkenazi Jewish descent, who presented with a history of 8 days of nausea, vomiting, and fever; severe pitting edema in both legs, ascites, splenomegaly, and palpable axillary lymph nodes. DIAGNOSES: Abdominal computed tomography (CT) showed bilateral pleural effusion and retroperitoneal lymph node enlargement. INTERVENTIONS: Anasarca and worsening of renal function led to admission to the intensive care unit (ICU) with multiple organ failure, requiring mechanical ventilation, vasopressor medications, and continuous renal replacement therapy (CRRT). Diagnosis of TAFRO syndrome was made on day 18 after admission, based on clinical findings and results of bone marrow and lymph node biopsies. She was treated with methylprednisolone, tocilizumab, and rituximab. One week after the first tocilizumab dose, she had dramatic improvements in respiratory and hemodynamic status, and was weaned from ventilator support and vasopressor medications. OUTCOMES: After 2 weeks of therapy, CRRT was switched to intermittent hemodialysis. On day 46, the patient was discharged from the ICU to the general ward, and 3 months after admission, she went home. LESSONS: Provided the interleukin-6 measurement is available, this approach is suggested in cases of TAFRO syndrome, in order to customize the treatment.

Doença de Castleman: relato de caso / Castleman's disease: case report

A doença de Castleman é um distúrbio linfoproliferativo raro. Há três tipos histológicos: hialino-vascular (mais comum), variante de células plasmáticas e forma mista. A forma hialino-vascular é caracterizada tipicamente por apresentar uma evolução clínica benigna e localizada, sem sintomas constitucionais. É geralmente tratada com cirurgia e/ou radioterapia. A doença multicêntrica apresenta sintomas sistêmicos. Ainda não há um consenso sobre qual a melhor abordagem terapêutica. Reportamos o caso da doença em um homem de 47 anos com diagnóstico de doença de Castleman variante hialino-vascular e anemia hemolítica autoimune associada, com presença de CD-20, CD-10, CD3 e Ki67 positivos. Foi tratado com protocolo quimioterápico esquema CHOP e corticoterapia com prednisona, evoluindo com melhora do quadro.

Castleman's disease is a rare lymphoproliferative disorder. There are three histological types: hyaline-vascular (most common), plasma cell variant, and mixed form. The hyaline-vascular form is typically characterized by a benign and localized clinical course without constitutional symptoms. It is usually treated with surgery and/or radiotherapy. The multicentric disease has systemic symptoms. There is still no consensus on the best therapy approach. We report a case of the disease in a 47-year-old man diagnosed with hyaline-vascular variant of Castleman's disease, and associated Autoimmune Hemolytic Anemia, with the presence of CD20-positive, CD10-positive, CD3-positive and Ki67-positive cells. He was treated with chemotherapy protocol of CHOP regimen and corticotherapy with Prednisone, and evolved with improvement.

[Clinical and pathological features of Castleman's disease: experience at the Instituto Nacional de Cancerología, Mexico City]. / Características clinicopatológicas de la enfermedad de Castleman. Experiencia en el Instituto Nacional de Cancerología.

BACKGROUND: Castleman's disease (CD) is a rare, poorly understood pathological entity. We report our experience with this clinicopathological entity. METHODS: We retrospectively analyzed records of all patients with CD from 1996 to 2003. The disease was classified as unicentric if a solitary mass was present or multicentric if generalized lymphadenopathy was present. We further subdivided the disease into hyaline vascular (HV) and plasma cell (PC) histological variants. RESULTS: We found 11 patients with CD. Six patients had unicentric disease and five had multicentric disease. Median follow-up was 40 months. All patients with unicentric disease had the HV variant. Of the five patients with multicentric disease, four had the PC variant and one had the HV. Five patients with unicentric disease were treated surgically with complete resection, and only one patient was treated with chemotherapy. All remain alive without disease. Three patients with multicentric disease were treated with chemotherapy, and two patients received chemotherapy plus radiotherapy for residual disease. Two patients received second-line chemotherapy with a favorable outcome. Two patients with a comorbid condition had a poor outcome. CONCLUSIONS: Clinical characteristics, pathological features and treatment results are similar to that reported in other populations.

Características clinicopatológicas de la enfermedad de Castleman: experiencia en el Instituto Nacional de Cancerología / Clinical and pathological features of Castleman's disease: experience at the Instituto Nacional de Cancerología, Mexico City

Introducción: La enfermedad de Castleman es una entidad patológica poco comprendida, descrita originalmente en pacientes europeos. Informamos nuestra experiencia con esta entidad clinicopatológica en pacientes del Instituto Nacional de Cancerología de la Ciudad de México. Material y métodos: Analizamos retrospectivamente los expedientes de pacientes con enfermedad de Castleman de 1996 a 2003. La enfermedad fue monocéntrica si había solo un ganglio o multicéntrica si se encontraba linfoadenopatía generalizada. Además, se dividió en las variantes histológicas hialinovascular y de células plasmáticas. Resultados: Once pacientes con enfermedad de Castleman fueron diagnosticados en el periodo referido, seis tenían enfermedad monocéntrica y cinco multicéntrica. La mediana de seguimiento fue de 40 meses. Todos los pacientes con enfermedad monocéntrica tenían la variante hialinovascular. De los cinco con multicéntrica, cuatro tenían la variante de células plasmáticas y uno la hialinovascular. Cinco pacientes con enfermedad monocéntrica se trataron con cirugía y uno con quimioterapia; al momento de este informe todos permanecían vivos y sin enfermedad. Tres pacientes con enfermedad multicéntrica recibieron quimioterapia y dos, quimioterapia más radioterapia por enfermedad residual; a dos pacientes se les prescribió quimioterapia de segunda línea, con buena respuesta. Dos pacientes con una condición asociada evolucionaron desfavorablemente. Conclusiones: Las características clínicas, patológicas y los resultados del tratamiento son similares a los señalados en otras poblaciones.

BACKGROUND: Castleman's disease (CD) is a rare, poorly understood pathological entity. We report our experience with this clinicopathological entity. METHODS: We retrospectively analyzed records of all patients with CD from 1996 to 2003. The disease was classified as unicentric if a solitary mass was present or multicentric if generalized lymphadenopathy was present. We further subdivided the disease into hyaline vascular (HV) and plasma cell (PC) histological variants. RESULTS: We found 11 patients with CD. Six patients had unicentric disease and five had multicentric disease. Median follow-up was 40 months. All patients with unicentric disease had the HV variant. Of the five patients with multicentric disease, four had the PC variant and one had the HV. Five patients with unicentric disease were treated surgically with complete resection, and only one patient was treated with chemotherapy. All remain alive without disease. Three patients with multicentric disease were treated with chemotherapy, and two patients received chemotherapy plus radiotherapy for residual disease. Two patients received second-line chemotherapy with a favorable outcome. Two patients with a comorbid condition had a poor outcome. CONCLUSIONS: Clinical characteristics, pathological features and treatment results are similar to that reported in other populations.

Complete remission in a pancytopenic HIV negative, HHV-8 positive patient with multicentric Castleman's disease induced with anti-CD20.

A 75-year-old woman was diagnosed of MCD plasma cell (PC) variant with B symptoms. Diffuse lymph-node enlargement, splenomegaly and pancytopenia were detected. Induction with Rituximab was made because pancytopenia was present. Actually patient is free of disease. This is the first complete response of MCD published, VIH negative, induced with anti CD20.

Enfermedad de Castleman. Reporte de 14 casos de 1990-2002 en el Hospital Dr. Rafael Angel Calderón Guardia dos con presentación inusual y revisión de literatura / Diseases of Castleman. Report of 14 cases of 1999-2002 in Hospital Dr. Rafael Angel Calderón Guardia

La enfermedad de Castleman (hamartoma linfoideo, linfoma, gigante benigno, hiperplasia angiofolicular de los nódulos linfáticos) es un transtorno linfoproliferativo raro, de curso usualmente benigno de etiología desconocida y pobremente entendido. Resulta de un crecimiento no regulado del tejido linfático y puede manifestarse clínicamente en 2 formas, localizada y diseminada o multicéntrica, con 3 variantes histopatológicas, vascular hialino, plasmocelular y mixto o transicional. Usualmente la forma vascular hialina tiene una evolución clínica benigna manifestada solamente por adenopatías en el cambio, la forma plasmocelular o mixta puede manifestar alteraciones físicas y de laboratorio, tales como fiebre, pérdida de peso, anemia e hiperglobulinemia. Las 2 últimas condiciones clínicas pueden resultar en transformación maligna similar al linfoma de Hodgkin. Revisamos la base de datos del Servicio de Patología de nuestro hospital y encontramos 14 casos reportados desde enero de 1990 hasta enero del 2002, 2 mostraron presentación inusual. Descriptores: Enfermedad de Castleman, trastorno linfoproliferativo, comportamiento clínico.

[Castleman disease]. / Enfermedad de Castleman.

A 66 years female, who was since last year under astenia, arthralgias, pimply lesions in spread plates and tests showing eritrosedimentation over 100 mm, anemi, leucocitosis with neutrofilia, policlonal hypergammaglobulinemia, slight proteinuria and IgE on 900. This patient was sporadically treated with corticoids. When made the medical consult had lost 34lb., was under anorexy, as well as dyspepsia. Hemoglobyn 6.9 gr/dl, leucocytes 20000/mm3, neutrofils at 90%, proteinogram the same as former, with hypoalbuminemia. She was taking prednisona, 16 mg/day. When examined showed depress of conscience, astenia, and dermic lesions already quoted. 4 cm nonpainful right axillary adenopaty adhered to deep planes. Medulogram with increased iron, hyperegenerative. Ganglionar biopsia: linfoid hyperplasic process linked to inmune response. Toracoabdominal tomography with adenomegalia in torax and retroperitoneo. Skin biopsia: neutrofilic vasculitis. The patient suspends the 16 mg of prednisona and fever as well as generalized adenopatias come up. After laying aside other ethiologies, and understanding as Castleman Multicentric disease, it is started to supply prednisona 1 mg/kg of weight with a clinical and biochemical fast and outstanding response. After 7 months it was progressively suspended the esteroids and 60 days later, the process fall back; for that, corticoids are restarted, with a good evolution. The illness of Castleman although it is not very frequent, it should be considered as differential diagnosis in those clinical cases that are accompanied with important general commitment, linphadenopaties and respons to steroid therapy.

Enfermedad de Castleman / Castleman disease

A 66 years female, who was since last year under astenia, arthralgias, pimply lesions in spread plates and tests showing eritrosedimentation over 100 mm, anemi, leucocitosis with neutrofilia, policlonal hypergammaglobulinemia, slight proteinuria and IgE on 900. This patient was sporadically treated with corticoids. When made the medical consult had lost 34lb., was under anorexy, as well as dyspepsia. Hemoglobyn 6.9 gr/dl, leucocytes 20000/mm3, neutrofils at 90%, proteinogram the same as former, with hypoalbuminemia. She was taking prednisona, 16 mg/day. When examined showed depress of conscience, astenia, and dermic lesions already quoted. 4 cm nonpainful right axillary adenopaty adhered to deep planes. Medulogram with increased iron, hyperegenerative. Ganglionar biopsia: linfoid hyperplasic process linked to inmune response. Toracoabdominal tomography with adenomegalia in torax and retroperitoneo. Skin biopsia: neutrofilic vasculitis. The patient suspends the 16 mg of prednisona and fever as well as generalized adenopatias come up. After laying aside other ethiologies, and understanding as Castleman Multicentric disease, it is started to supply prednisona 1 mg/kg of weight with a clinical and biochemical fast and outstanding response. After 7 months it was progressively suspended the esteroids and 60 days later, the process fall back; for that, corticoids are restarted, with a good evolution. The illness of Castleman although it is not very frequent, it should be considered as differential diagnosis in those clinical cases that are accompanied with important general commitment, linphadenopaties and respons to steroid therapy.(AU)

Mujer de 66 años que un año previo a la consulta presentaba astenia, artralgias, lesiones pruriginosas y eritematosas en placa diseminadas. Eritrosedimentación mayor de 100mm, anemia, leucocitosis con neutrofilia, hipergammaglobulinemia policlonal, proteinuria leve e IgE de 900. Fue tratada esporádicamente con corticoides. Llega a la consulta con pérdida de 15kg de peso, anorexia y dispepsia. Hemoglobina 6.9gr/dl, leucocitos 20000/mm3, neutrófilos 90%, proteinograma similar al previo mas hipoalbuminemia. Recibía prednisona 16mg;día. Al examen bradipsíquica, asténica, lesiones dérmicas ya descritas, adenopatía axilar derecha de 4cm no dolorosa adherida a planos profundos. Medulograma con hierro aumentado, hiperregenerativa. Biopsia ganglionar: proceso hiperplásico linfoide relacionado a respuesta inmune. Tomografía tóracoabdominal con adenomegalias en medias tino y retroperitoneo. Biopsia de piel: vasculitis neutrofílica. Suspende el corticoide y aparece fiebre y adenopatías generalizadas. Tras descartar otras etiologías, se interpreta como Enfermedad de Castleman. Inicia prednisona a lmg/kg/ día con favorable, rápida y llamativa respuesta clínica y bioquímica. Luego de 7 meses se suspende de manera progresiva los esteroides, y a los 60 días presenta recaída por lo que se reinicia la terapéutica con una nueva favorable evolución. La enfermedad de Castleman si bien es poco frecuente, debe ser considerada como diagnóstico diferencial en aquellos cuadros clínicos que se acompañan de importante compromiso general. adenomegalias y respuesta a terapia con corticoides. (AU)

Enfermedad de Castleman / Castleman disease

A 66 years female, who was since last year under astenia, arthralgias, pimply lesions in spread plates and tests showing eritrosedimentation over 100 mm, anemi, leucocitosis with neutrofilia, policlonal hypergammaglobulinemia, slight proteinuria and IgE on 900. This patient was sporadically treated with corticoids. When made the medical consult had lost 34lb., was under anorexy, as well as dyspepsia. Hemoglobyn 6.9 gr/dl, leucocytes 20000/mm3, neutrofils at 90%, proteinogram the same as former, with hypoalbuminemia. She was taking prednisona, 16 mg/day. When examined showed depress of conscience, astenia, and dermic lesions already quoted. 4 cm nonpainful right axillary adenopaty adhered to deep planes. Medulogram with increased iron, hyperegenerative. Ganglionar biopsia: linfoid hyperplasic process linked to inmune response. Toracoabdominal tomography with adenomegalia in torax and retroperitoneo. Skin biopsia: neutrofilic vasculitis. The patient suspends the 16 mg of prednisona and fever as well as generalized adenopatias come up. After laying aside other ethiologies, and understanding as Castleman Multicentric disease, it is started to supply prednisona 1 mg/kg of weight with a clinical and biochemical fast and outstanding response. After 7 months it was progressively suspended the esteroids and 60 days later, the process fall back; for that, corticoids are restarted, with a good evolution. The illness of Castleman although it is not very frequent, it should be considered as differential diagnosis in those clinical cases that are accompanied with important general commitment, linphadenopaties and respons to steroid therapy.

Mujer de 66 años que un año previo a la consulta presentaba astenia, artralgias, lesiones pruriginosas y eritematosas en placa diseminadas. Eritrosedimentación mayor de 100mm, anemia, leucocitosis con neutrofilia, hipergammaglobulinemia policlonal, proteinuria leve e IgE de 900. Fue tratada esporádicamente con corticoides. Llega a la consulta con pérdida de 15kg de peso, anorexia y dispepsia. Hemoglobina 6.9gr/dl, leucocitos 20000/mm3, neutrófilos 90%, proteinograma similar al previo mas hipoalbuminemia. Recibía prednisona 16mg;día. Al examen bradipsíquica, asténica, lesiones dérmicas ya descritas, adenopatía axilar derecha de 4cm no dolorosa adherida a planos profundos. Medulograma con hierro aumentado, hiperregenerativa. Biopsia ganglionar: proceso hiperplásico linfoide relacionado a respuesta inmune. Tomografía tóracoabdominal con adenomegalias en medias tino y retroperitoneo. Biopsia de piel: vasculitis neutrofílica. Suspende el corticoide y aparece fiebre y adenopatías generalizadas. Tras descartar otras etiologías, se interpreta como Enfermedad de Castleman. Inicia prednisona a lmg/kg/ día con favorable, rápida y llamativa respuesta clínica y bioquímica. Luego de 7 meses se suspende de manera progresiva los esteroides, y a los 60 días presenta recaída por lo que se reinicia la terapéutica con una nueva favorable evolución. La enfermedad de Castleman si bien es poco frecuente, debe ser considerada como diagnóstico diferencial en aquellos cuadros clínicos que se acompañan de importante compromiso general. adenomegalias y respuesta a terapia con corticoides.

2-Chloro-deoxyadenosine induces durable complete remission in Castleman's disease but may accelerate its transformation to non-Hodgkin's lymphoma.

There is currently no consensus on the best treatment for unresectable hyaline-vascular variant or for multicentric Castleman's disease (MCD), because none of the reported regimens have consistently produced complete response or durable remission in the majority of patients In the present study, we report on the use of 2-CdA (2-chloro-deoxyadenosine) in three patients, two of them with MCD and one with unresectable hyaline-vascular type disease. Relapse-free survival of the responding patients was 24 and 20 months. Later, both patients evolved to non-Hodgkin's lymphoma (NHL) (diffuse large B-cell lymphoma and peripheral T-cell NHL, respectively). 2-CdA typically causes a long-lasting state of immunodeficiency and the profound influence of this drug on the immune system has raised questions concerning the emergence of secondary neoplasms after its use. Therefore, it is reasonable to conclude that: 1) 2-CdA can induce durable complete remission in MCD patients but unfortunately it cannot cure the disease; 2) the possibility that 2-CdA may accelerate the transformation of MCD to NHL cannot be ruled out.