Combined assessment of Epstein-Barr virus viral capsid antigen and Epstein-Barr virus nuclear antigen-1 serology for post-transplant lymphoproliferative disorder risk stratification in adult solid organ transplant recipients.

BACKGROUND: Epstein-Barr virus (EBV) seronegative solid organ transplant recipients (SOTRs) are at increased risk for post-transplant lymphoproliferative disorder (PTLD). Assays for EBV serostatus assess antibody to both EBV viral capsid antigen (VCA) and Epstein-Barr nuclear antigen-1 (EBNA-1), but PTLD risk among SOT recipients with discordant VCA and EBNA-1 results is unknown. METHODS: We performed a retrospective, single-center cohort study to determine the risk of PTLD among adult (≥ 18 years) SOTRs with discordant pre-transplant VCA and EBNA-1 IgG compared to that of SOTRs with concordantly negative or concordantly positive serology using univariable and multivariable Cox-proportional hazards models. RESULTS: Of 4106 SOTRs, the number (%) who were concordantly positive, concordantly negative, and discordant was 3787 (92.2%), 149 (3.6%), and 170 (4.2%), respectively. The adjusted hazard of PTLD was significantly higher among discordant SOTRs compared to concordantly positive SOTRs (aHR 2.6, 95% CI 1.04-6.6, p =.04) and lower compared to concordantly negative SOTRs (aHR 0.27, 95% CI 0.10-0.76, p <.001). The adjusted hazard of EBV+ PTLD among those with discordant serology was also significantly higher compared to the concordantly positive cohort (aHR 3.53, 95% CI 1.04-12.0, p =.04) and significantly lower compared to the concordantly negative cohort (aHR 0.23, 95% CI 0.06-0.82, p =.02). CONCLUSIONS: Risk of PTLD among SOTRs with discordant VCA and EBNA-1 may be intermediate between those with concordantly positive and negative serology. If confirmed in future studies, revision of national EBV serology reporting to include both VCA and EBNA results may be needed to optimize PTLD risk stratification.

Clinicopathologic Findings in Patients With Initial Diagnosis of Extranodal Marginal Zone B-Cell Lymphoma of Mucosa-Associated Lymphoid Tissue (MALT) in Colorectal Mucosa.

OBJECTIVES: To evaluate clinicopathologic features, management, and behavior of colorectal extranodal marginal zone lymphoma of mucosa-associated lymphoid tissue (MALT). METHODS: Clinical data, laboratory studies, and radiographic records were reviewed (2005-2018), and fluorescence in situ hybridization studies were performed. RESULTS: Eleven patients were identified, six of whom were discovered as an incidental finding on endoscopy. Morphologic and immunophenotypic features were similar to MALT lymphomas at other sites except that lymphoepithelial lesions were uncommon. Three of nine patients were positive for BIRC3/MALT1 fusions, two of whom had identical B-cell clones identified in subsequent gastric biopsy specimens. Eight of 10 patients had no clinically evaluable disease after observation (±antibiotics; n = 4) or radiation/chemotherapy (n = 4). CONCLUSIONS: Patients with incidental and localized colonic MALT lymphoma demonstrated an excellent prognosis with conservative management, although longer follow-up and data based on consistent staging and surveillance methods (including gastric evaluation) are necessary for informed management.

Comparison of Blood Counts and Markers of Inflammation and Coagulation in Patients With and Without COVID-19 Presenting to the Emergency Department in Seattle, WA.

OBJECTIVES: We compared complete blood count (CBC) with differential and markers of inflammation and coagulation in patients with and without coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) presenting to emergency departments in Seattle, WA. METHODS: We reviewed laboratory values for 1 week following each COVID-19 test for adult patients who received a standard severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) test before April 13, 2020. Results were compared by COVID-19 status and clinical course. RESULTS: In total 1,027 patients met inclusion criteria. Patients with COVID-19 (n = 155) had lower leukocytes (P < .0001), lymphocytes (P < .0001), platelets (P < .0001), and higher hemoglobin (P = .0140) than those without, but absolute differences were small. Serum albumin was lower in patients with COVID-19 (P < .0001) and serum albumin, neutrophil to lymphocyte ratio (NLR), and red cell distribution width (RDW) were each associated with disease severity. NLR did not differ between patients with COVID-19 and those without (P = .8012). CONCLUSIONS: Patients with COVID-19 had modestly lower leukocyte, lymphocyte, and platelet counts and higher hemoglobin values than patients without COVID-19. The NLR, serum albumin, and RDW varied with disease severity, regardless of COVID-19 status.

Flow cytometric features of incidental indolent T lymphoblastic proliferations.

Indolent T lymphoblastic proliferations have been reported rarely in extramedullary and extrathymic tissues. Recent work has identified these indolent T lymphoblast populations to be mostly CD4+/CD8+ (characterized by immunohistochemistry), with only limited immunophenotypic evaluation of these populations by flow cytometry (FC). We retrospectively reviewed our institutional FC archives and identified 12 samples from 10 patients with incidental T lymphoblastic populations. Samples were characterized with respect to expression of T-cell antigens, CD45, TdT, CD1a, and T/NK antigens, and light scatter properties. Overall, the proportion of T lymphoblasts was small (range 0.01-8.8% of white cells; mean, 1.7%). Histologic correlation showed scattered immature T lymphoblasts in samples without overt distortion of underlying architecture. T lymphoblasts were identified most frequently in association with Castleman disease (four) or tissues with Castleman features (four), marginal zone B-cell lymphoma (one), or tissue with reactive/atypical changes (three cases). Although three cases were composed predominantly of CD4+/CD8+ T cells, the majority of cases in our cohort (eight) included a major subset of CD4-/CD8- T lymphoblasts by FC (one case CD8+/CD4-), which has not been described previously. There was no evidence of subsequent progression to T lymphoblastic leukemia. Incidental, indolent T lymphoblastic proliferations may be detected by clinical FC. In contrast to reports, we find that these proliferations in clinical samples may contain not only CD4+/CD8+ immature T cells but also CD4-/CD8- immature T cells, expanding the immunophenotypic spectrum of this entity.

The first report of human primary thoracic spine mast cell sarcoma: a case report.

In this report, we present a 53-year-old woman with primary mast cell sarcoma of the thoracic spine vertebrae. Mast cell sarcoma is an aggressive and rare cancer. To date, no cases of primary mast cell sarcoma have been reported in the spinal vertebrae. The patient initially presented with a 1-month history of pelvic and abdominal pain. Inconclusive gynecological evaluation resulted in a CT of the abdomen and pelvis, demonstrating a destructive lesion centered at the 11th thoracic vertebral body. The patient underwent a two-stage spine operation for T11 corpectomy and T7-L3 posterior spinal fusion. Histopathological, immunohistochemical, and flow cytometry studies of the resection specimens showed the tumor to be mostly composed of CD117-positive and mast cell tryptase-positive cells with features consistent with mast cell sarcoma. This is the first reported case of primary vertebral mast cell sarcoma, which may mimic other destructive lesions of the spine including osteomyelitis, vertebral tuberculosis, or plasmacytoma.
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Fibrin-associated EBV-positive Large B-Cell Lymphoma: An Indolent Neoplasm With Features Distinct From Diffuse Large B-Cell Lymphoma Associated With Chronic Inflammation.

Incidental cases of localized fibrin-associated Epstein-Barr virus (EBV)+ large B-cell proliferations have been described at unusual anatomic sites and have been included in the category of diffuse large B-cell lymphoma associated with chronic inflammation (DLBCL-CI) in the WHO Classification. We describe 12 cases and review the literature to define their clinicopathologic spectrum and compare features with typical cases of DLBCL-CI. Median age was 55.5 years with a M:F ratio of 3. In all 12 cases, the lymphoma was an incidental microscopic finding involving atrial myxomas (n=3), thrombi associated with endovascular grafts (n=3), chronic hematomas (n=2), and pseudocysts (n=4). All cases tested were nongerminal center B-cell origin, type III EBV latency, and were negative for MYC rearrangements and alternative lengthening of telomeres by FISH. Most showed high CD30, Ki67, and PD-L1, and low to moderate MYC and p53 expression. Among 11 patients with detailed follow-up, 6 were treated surgically, 3 with cardiac or vascular lesions had persistent/recurrent disease at intravascular sites, and 4 died of causes not directly attributable to lymphoma. Reports of previously published fibrin-associated cases showed similar features, whereas traditional DLBCL-CI cases with a mass lesion had significantly higher lymphoma-associated mortality. Fibrin-associated EBV+ large B-cell lymphoma is clinicopathologically distinct from DLBCL-CI, warranting separate classification. Most cases, particularly those associated with pseudocysts, behave indolently with the potential for cure by surgery alone and may represent a form of EBV+ lymphoproliferative disease rather than lymphoma. However, primary cardiac or vascular disease may have a higher risk of recurrence despite systemic chemotherapy.

Androgen receptor expression in mantle cell lymphoma: Potential novel therapeutic implications.

Mantle cell lymphoma (MCL) affects approximately 4500 patients/year in the US and demonstrates a male to female ratio of approximately 4:1. While the pathobiology underlying this ratio is unknown, the hematopoietic system is characterized by sex-related differences in androgen receptor (AR) expression, leading us to hypothesize that the male-biased incidence of MCL may reflect sex-related differences in AR signaling during MCL lymphomagenesis. To explore the AR axis in MCL, we evaluated AR expression in MCL cell lines and human tumors, and tested the impact of androgen pathway inhibition on MCL proliferation. AR transcript levels ranged up to ~26 fold higher in MCL lines vs non-MCL NHL lines (p = 0.006) and were correlated with expression of the canonical AR-regulated gene, prostate-specific antigen (PSA; r = 0.715, p = 0.001), consistent with functional AR activity. Patient-derived MCL samples demonstrated a range of AR expression. Treatment of four different MCL lines with the potent AR antagonist enzalutamide demonstrated suppression of proliferation across both male and female-derived cell lines. These data suggest androgen-axis blockade may represent a novel therapeutic modality in MCL. This novel treatment approach is currently under investigation in a phase II clinical trial of AR inhibition in patients with relapsed/refractory MCL.

An epigenetic clock analysis of race/ethnicity, sex, and coronary heart disease.

BACKGROUND: Epigenetic biomarkers of aging (the "epigenetic clock") have the potential to address puzzling findings surrounding mortality rates and incidence of cardio-metabolic disease such as: (1) women consistently exhibiting lower mortality than men despite having higher levels of morbidity; (2) racial/ethnic groups having different mortality rates even after adjusting for socioeconomic differences; (3) the black/white mortality cross-over effect in late adulthood; and (4) Hispanics in the United States having a longer life expectancy than Caucasians despite having a higher burden of traditional cardio-metabolic risk factors. RESULTS: We analyzed blood, saliva, and brain samples from seven different racial/ethnic groups. We assessed the intrinsic epigenetic age acceleration of blood (independent of blood cell counts) and the extrinsic epigenetic aging rates of blood (dependent on blood cell counts and tracks the age of the immune system). In blood, Hispanics and Tsimane Amerindians have lower intrinsic but higher extrinsic epigenetic aging rates than Caucasians. African-Americans have lower extrinsic epigenetic aging rates than Caucasians and Hispanics but no differences were found for the intrinsic measure. Men have higher epigenetic aging rates than women in blood, saliva, and brain tissue. CONCLUSIONS: Epigenetic aging rates are significantly associated with sex, race/ethnicity, and to a lesser extent with CHD risk factors, but not with incident CHD outcomes. These results may help elucidate lower than expected mortality rates observed in Hispanics, older African-Americans, and women.

Detection of non-CLL-like monoclonal B cell lymphocytosis increases dramatically in the very elderly, while detection of CLL-like populations varies by race: findings in a multiethnic population-based cohort of elderly women.

Monoclonal B cell lymphocytosis (MBL) is both a marker of immune senescence and a potential precursor of B cell malignancy. Most MBL populations have a chronic lymphocytic leukemia-like (CLL-like) immunophenotype, but those that are CD5-negative (non-CLL-like) are also recognized and may represent a distinct diagnostic entity. To date, MBL studies have taken place in relatively homogenous populations, although risk of CLL varies across racial groups and geographic regions. We report flow cytometry data from 597 ethnically diverse 64-94-year-old women from across the USA who are participants in the Women's Health Initiative (WHI) Long-Life Study (LLS). Overall, MBL was detected in 26 % of the participants and included 20.9 % with a CLL-like immunophenotype, 5 % with a non-CLL-like immunophenotype, and 1.3 % with both. White and Hispanic women were more than twice as likely to have a CLL-like MBL population detected than African American women, corrected for age (P = 0.003). By contrast, detection of non-CLL-like MBL did not vary significantly by race, but did increase markedly with advancing age, being present in 12.7 % of those aged 85 and older. We provide new evidence that rates of detection of CLL-like MBL are lower in African Americans, and further suggest that non-CLL-like clonal expansions should be regarded as distinct from CLL-like MBL.

Insecticide exposure and farm history in relation to risk of lymphomas and leukemias in the Women's Health Initiative observational study cohort.

PURPOSE: Relationships of farm history and insecticide exposure at home or work with lymphohematopoietic (LH) neoplasm risk were investigated in a large prospective cohort of US women. METHODS: In questionnaires, women self-reported history living or working on a farm, personally mixing or applying insecticides, insecticide application in the home or workplace by a commercial service, and treating pets with insecticides. Relationships with non-Hodgkin lymphoma (NHL), chronic lymphocytic leukemia/small lymphocytic lymphoma (CLL/SLL), diffuse large B-cell lymphoma (DLBCL), follicular lymphoma, plasma cell neoplasms, and myeloid leukemia were investigated using Cox proportional hazard models. Age and farming history were explored as effect modifiers. RESULTS: The analysis included 76,493 women and 822 NHL cases. Women who ever lived or worked on a farm had 1.12 times the risk of NHL (95% confidence interval [CI] = 0.95-1.32) compared to those who did not. Women who reported that a commercial service ever applied insecticides in their immediate surroundings had 65% higher risk of CLL/SLL (95% CI = 1.15-2.38). Women aged less than 65 years who ever applied insecticides had 87% higher risk of DLBCL (95% CI = 1.13-3.09). CONCLUSIONS: Insecticide exposures may contribute to risk of CLL/SLL and DLBCL. Future studies should examine relationships of LH subtypes with specific types of household insecticides.

Cytokines in serum in relation to future non-Hodgkin lymphoma risk: evidence for associations by histologic subtype.

Specific associations for lymphoma in the general population suggest that chronic immune dysfunction/dysregulation may be associated with the development of B-cell non-Hodgkin lymphoma (NHL). Furthermore, polymorphisms in several cytokine genes have been associated with increased lymphoma risk, most consistently with genes for TNF and IL10. To evaluate the hypothesis that prediagnostic circulating cytokine levels would be associated with increased B-cell lymphoma risk, we conducted a nested case-control study within the Women's Health Initiative Observational Study cohort involving 491 B-cell NHL cases and 491 controls. Levels of eleven cytokines, including IL1ß, IL2, IL4, IL5, IL6, IL10, IL12, IL13, TNF, IFNγ and GM-CSF, were measured using a Luminex suspension bead-based multiplexed array in prediagnostic serum samples collected a median of 6 years prior to the lymphoma diagnosis. We observed a modestly increased risk of all B-cell NHL in women with increased levels of the cytokines TNF and IL10 (OR1.22, CI 1.07-1.38 and OR 1.09, CI 1.04-1.15, respectively, per doubling in the serum cytokine concentration) and this association showed some variation according to histologic subtype. The increased risk was strongest for those neoplasms diagnosed in close proximity to the blood draw for some histologic subtypes but not others, suggesting a component of reverse causation. Further study will be required to better understand how genetic polymorphisms in TNF and IL10 genes may interact with circulating cytokine levels and states of chronic immune dysfunction/stimulation to contribute to the risk of B-cell NHL.

Investigation of epstein-barr virus as a potential cause of B-cell non-Hodgkin lymphoma in a prospective cohort.

BACKGROUND: We hypothesized that poor control of Epstein-Barr virus (EBV) infection, leading to reactivation of the virus, increases the risk of non-Hodgkin lymphoma (NHL) in the general population of primarily immunocompetent persons. METHODS: We conducted a case-control study nested within the Women's Health Initiative Observational Study cohort in which we measured antibodies to EBV antigens [immunoglobulin G (IgG) to viral capsid antigen (VCA), nuclear antigen (EBNA1), and early antigen-diffuse (EA-D)] and EBV DNA load in prediagnostic samples of 491 B-cell NHL cases and 491 controls. RESULTS: We found no association with established EBV infection, based on seropositivity for VCA. Seropositivity for EBNA1 was associated with decreased risk of B-cell NHL, overall [OR = 0.5; 95% confidence interval (CI), 0.3-0.8] and for each of the histologic subtypes examined. Increased risk of chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL) and related subtypes was observed with higher levels of EBV DNA and antibody to EA-D, both markers reflective of reactivation. These associations were strongest for cases with the shortest time interval between blood draw and diagnosis. CONCLUSIONS: In balance, these results do not provide strong evidence of EBV playing a causal role in B-cell NHL in general population women. The associations we observed may reflect increased risk of NHL with underlying immune impairment or could be due to reverse causation. IMPACT: Further characterization of the subtype-specific association with CLL is warranted. Exclusion of cases with preclinical disease markers (such as monoclonal B-lymphocytosis for CLL) may help rule out reverse causation in future studies.

Markers of B-cell activation in relation to risk of non-Hodgkin lymphoma.

B-cell activation biomarkers have been associated with increased risk of non-Hodgkin lymphoma (NHL) in HIV-infected populations. However, whether a similar association may exist in general populations has not been established. We conducted a case-control study within the Women's Health Initiative Observational Study cohort to measure the B-cell activation biomarkers sCD23, sCD27, sCD30, sCD44, and CXCL13 in serum samples collected an average of 6 years before NHL diagnosis in 491 cases and 491 controls. Using logistic regression to estimate odds ratios, we observed strong associations between NHL and markers for all B-cell NHL and for major subtypes. Women with marker levels in the highest-versus-lowest quartile categories of CD23, CD27, CD30, or CXCL13 were at 2.8- to 5.5-fold increased risk of B-NHL. In addition, there were significant trends of risk with increasing levels of these markers present. Associations were strongest for cases with shortest lag times between blood draw and diagnosis (<3 years). However, there were also significant associations for cases with the longest prediagnostic lag (9 to 13 years). Taken together, our findings indicate a prominent role for B-cell activation among postmenopausal women in the etiology of B-cell NHL and/or in processes reflective of early disease development as early as 9 years before diagnosis.

Anthropometric factors, physical activity, and risk of non-Hodgkin's lymphoma in the Women's Health Initiative.

BACKGROUND: Incidence rates of non-Hodgkin's lymphoma (NHL) increased substantially in the United States and worldwide during the latter part of the 20th century, but little is known about its etiology. Obesity is associated with impaired immune function through which it may influence the risk of NHL; other factors reflecting energy homeostasis (height, abdominal adiposity, and physical activity) may also be involved. METHODS: We examined the association of anthropometric factors and physical activity with risk of NHL and its major subtypes in a large cohort of women aged 50-79 years old who were enrolled at 40 clinical centers in the United States between 1993 and 1998. Over a mean follow-up period of 11 years, 1123 cases of NHL were identified among 158,975 women. Cox proportional hazards models were used to estimate hazard ratios (HR) and 95% confidence intervals (CI). RESULTS: Height at baseline was positively associated with risk of all NHL and with that of diffuse large B-cell lymphoma (HRs(q4vs.q1) 1.19, 95% CI 1.00-1.43 and 1.43, 95% CI 1.01-2.03, respectively). Measures of obesity and abdominal adiposity at baseline were not associated with risk. Hazard ratios for NHL were increased for women in the highest quartile of weight and body mass index at age 18 (HRs(q4vs.q1) 1.29, 95% CI 1.01-1.65 and 1.27, 95% CI 1.01-1.59, respectively). Some measures of recreational physical activity were modestly associated with increased risk of NHL overall, but there were no clear associations with specific subtypes. CONCLUSION: Our findings regarding anthropometric measures are consistent with those of several previous reports, suggesting that early life influences on growth and immune function may influence the risk of NHL later in life.

Early lymph node involvement by mantle cell lymphoma limited to the germinal center: report of a case with a novel "follicular in situ" growth pattern.

Recently, several reports have described cases of "in situ" mantle cell lymphoma (MCL) in which scattered cyclin D1+ cells were present within the mantle zones of reactive-appearing lymphoid follicles. In this report, we describe an unusual histologic pattern of in situ MCL that was identified in a staging lymph node for colonic adenocarcinoma resected 4 years before a diagnosis of symptomatic MCL. Retrospective immunohistochemical studies showed scattered cyclin D1-expressing cells within otherwise reactive germinal centers but not in the surrounding mantle zones. The presence of early MCL cells limited to reactive germinal centers represents a novel "follicular in situ" growth pattern for MCL, which overlaps morphologically with reactive follicular hyperplasia and follicular lymphoma and which could have implications for MCL pathogenesis.

The effects of postmenopausal hormone therapy on serum estrogen, progesterone, and sex hormone-binding globulin levels in healthy postmenopausal women.

OBJECTIVE: Differences in disease outcomes between users and nonusers of hormone therapy (HT) and between users of estrogen therapy (ET) and users of estrogen + progesterone therapy (EPT) may relate to differences in serum hormone concentrations between these populations. In this study, we examined the response of serum hormone levels in healthy postmenopausal women after 1 year of HT. METHODS: A representative subsample of 200 healthy adherent participants from the active and placebo groups of the Women's Health Initiative randomized controlled clinical trials of ET (conjugated equine estrogens 0.625 mg daily) or EPT (ET plus medroxyprogesterone acetate 2.5 mg daily) were selected for the determination of selected sex hormone levels at baseline and 1 year after randomization. RESULTS: In participants receiving active ET intervention compared with placebo, estrogenic hormone levels increased from baseline to year 1 by 3.6-fold for total estrone, 2.7-fold for total estradiol, and 1.8-fold for bioavailable and free estradiol concentrations. Serum sex hormone-binding globulin concentrations also increased 2.5-fold. In contrast, progesterone levels decreased slightly in women taking exogenous EPT. The response of serum estrogens and sex hormone-binding globulin did not differ substantially with the addition of progesterone. In subgroup analyses, hormone response varied by age, ethnicity, body mass index, smoking status, vasomotor symptoms, and baseline hormone levels. CONCLUSIONS: These data provide a reference point for the serum hormone response to HT and demonstrate that the response of serum estrogens is similar for ET and EPT. The implications of the slight decrease in serum progesterone levels with EPT therapy are uncertain. Potential treatment interactions for estrogenic hormones were identified, which suggest a larger response to HT in women with low endogenous levels.

Utilization and diagnostic yield of neurogenetic testing at a tertiary care facility.

BACKGROUND: Institutions face increasing charges related to molecular genetic testing for neurological diseases. The literature contains little information on the utilization and performance of these tests. METHODS: A retrospective utilization review was performed to determine the diagnostic yield of neurogenetic tests ordered during calendar year 2005 at a large academic medical center in the western United States. RESULTS: Overall, a relevant mutation was identified in 30.2% of the 162 patients tested and in 21.5% of the 121 probands, defined as patients for whom no mutation has been previously identified in a family member. Patients with muscle weakness (n = 65) had a mutation detected in 26.2% of all patients and 23.5% of probands (n = 51), with an estimated testing cost per positive result of $3190. Patients tested for neuropathy (n = 36) had a mutation detected in 27.8% of patients and 22.6% of probands (n = 31), with an estimated cost per positive result of $5955. Patients with chorea (n = 25) had a positive result obtained in 68% of patients and 71.4% of probands (n = 7); the estimated cost per positive test was $440. Other diagnostic categories evaluated include ataxias (n = 18; yield, 11.1%; $7620 per positive), familial stroke or dementia syndromes (n = 8; yield, 12.5%; $6760 per positive), and multisystem mitochondrial disorders (n = 10; yield, 20%; $6485 per positive). CONCLUSIONS: Expert clinicians at a tertiary care center who ordered neurogenetic tests obtained a positive result in 21.5% of patients without previously identified familial mutations. These results can be used for comparison and to help establish utilization guidelines for neurogenetic testing.