‘Les liaisons dangereuses’: Hepatitis C, Rituximab and B-cell non-Hodgkin’s lymphomas

Rituximab has provided a revolutionary contribution to the treatment of B-cell non-Hodgkin’s lymphomas (NHL). A high prevalence of hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection has been described in B-cell NHL patients. Cases of liver dysfunction in HCV-positive patients have been reported with Rituximab-containing regimens. In this paper we review the recent data regarding the effects of Rituximab in NHL patients with HCV infection. We also added a section devoted to improving communication between oncohaematologists and hepatologists. Furthermore, we propose a common methodological ground to study hepatic toxicity emerging during chemotherapy.

CHOP-like Regimen in Combination with Rituximab and Peginterferon Alpha-2b in Newly-diagnosed Diffuse Large B-cell Non-Hodgkin＇s Lymphoma： Experience in a Chinese Center

OBJECTIVE To evaluate the efficacy of rituximab combined with CHOP-like regimen with or without IFN in patients newly diagnosed diffuse large B-cell Non-Hodgkin＇s lymphoma （DLBCL）.METHODS From January 2003 to July 2008, 51 patients received CHOP-like chemotherapy （cyclophosphamide 750 mg/m2, epirubicin 80 mg/m2, vindesine 2.8 mg/m2 on day 1, and prednisolone 100 mg/day on day 1 to day 5）. Thirty-one patients received CHOPR-like treatment （rituximab 375 mg/m2 1 day before CHOP-like chemotherapy）. Twenty patients received CHOP-like regimen in combination with peginterferon （pegIFN） （1μg/kg on day 5） and rituximab （on day 6）.RESULTS -The CR （complete remission） rate in the CHOPR-like （with or without pegIFN） group and in the CHOP-like group was 78.4% and 45.1% （P = 0.005）, respectively. The estimated mean time of overall survival （OS） in the CHOPR-like group and CHOP- like group was 58.7 ± 2.8 and 36.4 ±3.4 months, respectively （P = 0.002）. The rates of CR and OR （overall remission） in CHOPR- like with IFN arm were 85.0% and 95.0%, and the rates of those in CHOPR-like without IFN arm were 74.2% and 87.0% （P 〉 0.05）. The estimated mean time of 4-year-PFS （progression- free survival） in CHOPR-like with IFN arm and in CHOPR-like without IFN arm was 62.9 ±3.0 months and 51.0 ± 4.6 months （P = 0.092）, respectively. In the CHOPR-like with IFN arm, no patient relapsed after achieving CR, while the estimated rate of 4-year- DFS （disease-free survival） in the patients who reached CR in the CHOPR-like without IFN arm was （63.4 ± 19.3）% （P = 0.061）. CONCLUSION Rituximab combined with CHOP-like chemotherapy improved the prognosis of DLBCL patients. The IFN may help to improve the quality and duration of response of DLBCL patients treated with rituximab and CHOP-like regimen.

Unusual Presentation of Non-Hodgkin’s B-Cell Lymphoma with Unilateral Right Limb Lymphedema

Background: In clinical practice and setting of general practice it is common to see patients with leg edema. To correctly identify the etiology of the edema and then properly manage the cause is not always easy. The unilateral lymphedema of the lower limb has rarely been reported as an initial presentation for lymphoma, especially in females, usually without classic signs or symptoms, but often with inguinal lymphadenopathy or abdominal masses. Case Report: In this article, we report a rare case of unilateral lower limb edema in a healthy obese woman who complained about the appearance of the disease for several months and for whom deep vein thrombosis and other diseases had been excluded. The histological examination of the biopsy of an enlarged lymph node in the right groin, which was compressing the iliac and femoral vein, revealed the presence of B cell non-Hodgkin lymphoma with high-grade malignancy. Conclusions: A common challenge for primary care physicians is to determine the cause and find an effective treatment for leg edema of unclear etiology. Non-Hodgkin’s B-cell Lymphoma should be considered in the differential diagnosis in patients with unilateral leg edema when the swelling is chronic and deep venous thrombosis is promptly excluded.

Primary gastric non-Hodgkin lymphomas:Recent advances regarding disease pathogenesis and treatment

Primary gastric lymphomas(PGLs)are distinct lymphoproliferative neoplasms described as heterogeneous entities clinically and molecularly.Their main histological types are diffuse large B-cell lymphoma(DLBCL)or mucosaassociated lymphoma tissue.PGL has been one of the main fields of clinical research of our group in recent years.Although gastric DLBCLs are frequent,sufficient data to guide optimal care are scarce.Until today,a multidisciplinary approach has been applied,including chemotherapy,surgery,radiotherapy or a combination of these treatments.In this minireview article,we provide an overview of the clinical manifestations,diagnosis and staging of these diseases,along with their molecular pathogenesis and the most important related clinical published series.We then discuss the scientific gaps,perils and pitfalls that exist regarding the aforementioned studies,in parallel with the unmet need for future research and comment on the proper methodology for such retrospective studies.Aiming to fill this gap,we retrospectively evaluated the trends in clinical presentation,management and outcome among 165 patients with DLBCL PGL who were seen in our institutions in 1980-2014.The study cohort was divided into two subgroups,comparing the main 2 therapeutic options[cyclophosphamide doxorubicin vincristine prednisone(CHOP)vs rituximab-CHOP(R-CHOP)].A better outcome with immunochemotherapy(R-CHOP)was observed.In the next 2 mo,we will present the update of our study with the same basic conclusion.

Gastrointestinal B-cell lymphomas:From understanding B-cell physiology to classification and molecular pathology

The gut is the most common extranodal site where lymphomas arise. Although all histological lymphoma types may develop in the gut, small and large B-cell lymphomas predominate. The sometimes unexpected finding of a lymphoid lesion in an endoscopic biopsy of the gut may challenge both the clinician (who is not always familiar with lymphoma pathogenesis) and the pathologist (who will often be hampered in his/her diagnostic skill by the limited amount of available tissue). Moreover, the past 2 decades have spawned an avalanche of new data that encompasses both the function of the reactive B-cell as well as the pathogenic pathways that lead to its neoplastic counterpart, the B-cell lymphoma. Therefore, this review aims to offer clinicians an overview of B-cell lymphomas in the gut, and their pertinent molecular features that have led to new insights regarding lymphomagenesis. It addresses the question as how to incorporate all presently available information on normal and neoplastic B-cell differentiation, and how this knowledge can be applied in daily clinical practice (e.g., diagnostic tools, prognostic biomarkers or therapeutic targets) to optimalise the managment of this heterogeneous group of neoplasms.

Gastric infiltration of diffuse large B-cell lymphoma: Endoscopic diagnosis and improvement of lesions after chemotherapy

Diffuse large B-cell lymphoma (DLBCL) is the most common histologic subtype of the non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma (NHL) accounting for about 40% of all NHLs. This is a case report about the endoscopic appearance of a DLBCL with infiltration to the stomach in a 39-year-old female. She had a 6-mo history of lumbar and left upper quadrant pain with intermittent episodes of melena. A computer tomograghy (CT) scan showed mural thickening of the gastric antrum. Endoscopic examination revealed multiple gastric ulcers. Definite diagnosis could be made by endoscopic biopsies and the patient had a good response to chemotherapy. This response correlated well with a further endoscopic follow-up. A follow-up endoscopic examination could be considered to evaluate a good response to chemotherapy in DLBCL patients with secondary gastric dissemination.

Case Report: Fever of Unknown Origin <br/>—An Unusual Presentation for Diffuse Large B-Cell Lymphoma

A 61-year-old male initially presented with fever of unknown origin. He had extensive work-up over two years including an infectious diseases panel, autoimmune studies, and Rheumatology and Hematology evaluations. The patient was initially diagnosed with Adult Still’s disease and underwent an out-patient right nodal fine-needle aspiration that was indeterminate. After continued failure of treatment for Adult Still’s disease, the patient had surgical resection of a right axillary lymph node that yielded the diagnosis of diffuse large B-cell lymphoma. Further work-up revealed Epstein-Barr virus positivity, the possible trigger behind his mutation for diffuse large B-cell lymphoma and its uncommon presentation. The patient met criteria for central nervous system prophylaxis and received multiple administrations throughout his therapy. He ultimately expired following recurrence of his disease at its initial site but without central nervous system involvement. We report an uncommon presentation of a patient with diffuse large B-cell lymphoma. This lymphoma can have numerous, vague presentations requiring a broad differential diagnosis and may lead to multiple evaluations prior to an ultimate diagnosis. We will also discuss the need for central nervous system prophylaxis, how this patient is qualified for prophylaxis, and how central nervous system prophylaxis benefits, harms, or does not affect patients with diffuse large B-cell lymphoma.

Rare Primary Diffuse Large B-Cell Lymphoma of a Male Breast

Background: Breast lymphomas are typical extranodal types of lymphoma, also known as Extranodal-lymphoma (ENL), which occur extremely infrequently, aggregating into a very small proportion of malignant breast tumors. The rarity of breast lymphomas is attributed to the scant lymphoid tissue content of the chest wall. Aims of Study: This case report is aimed at providing an up-to-date review of the literature on breast lymphomas for clinicians to, therefore, consider the possibility of this disease entity while treating a breast mass. Case Presentation: A case was reported of a 52-year man with chief mammary non-Hodgkin breast ENL when fine-needle aspiration cytology (FNAC) was not leading to a firm conclusion or result. Following an incisional biopsy, he was found to have a primary breast lymphoma. Later, the patient was diagnosed with the diffuse large B-cell type of lymphoma also known as non-Hodgkin’s Lymphoma (NHL). He had a complete reduction and disappearances of all the signs and symptoms of the disease after a course of neoadjuvant chemotherapy: Cyclophosphamide, Doxorubicin, Vincristine and Prednisolone (CHOP). CONCLUSION: Based on the above case presentation, it is vital for health care professionals and oncologists to recognize the disease by assessing the breast mass accurately with more entities so that proper diagnosis via core biopsy (incisional biopsy) can eliminate the PBL before further treatment is required.

Non Hodgkin’s Lymphoma with Right Atrial Intra Cardiac Metastases

Background: Diffuse Large B-Cell Lymphoma (DLBCL) is the most variant of Non-Hodgkin’s Lymphoma (NHL) and also the most common variant with secondary intracardiac masses. Case summary: 7 years old child presented to emergency with acute decompensated cardiac failure, ascites and tender hepatomegaly. 2D echo evaluation was suggestive of large intracardiac mass in the right atrium almost completely obstructing Tricuspid valve orifice, gross pericardial effusion and dilated Inferior Vena Cava (IVC). Emergency tumor excision surgery was performed which revealed 4 × 4 cm pinkish firm mass arising from anterior Tricuspid annulus which was completely excised. Child was extubated on postoperative day (POD) 0 and was on minimal inotropic support. Ascites reduced significantly on POD1 allowing abdominal palpation which revealed a mass in the epigastric region. This prompted evaluation by pediatrician and oncology workup suggestive of increased 18-Flouro Deoxy Glucose (18-FDG) uptake in the mediastinum, abdomen, bilateral proximal thighs, all mediastinal lymph nodal stations, bilateral lung hilar stations 10R, 10L involving all encasing the heart and great vessels with pleural deposits, Celiac trunk, superior Mesenteric Artery (SMA), Portal vein, IVC and abdominal aorta. Histo pathology Examination (HPE) and Immuno Histo Chemistry (IHC) of intracardiac mass revealed DLBCL which is metastatic in nature. Chemotherapy was started as per (French American British Lymphomes Malins B) FAB LMB-96 protocol with the child currently in the Induction phase having poor prognosis and less survival interval. Conclusion: Surgery can be considered a treatment option for metastatic intracardiac masses during emergency scenarios like cardiogenic shock to relieve obstruction along the pathway of blood flow in the heart even though we may not be able to completely excise the tumor surgically.

All ileo-cecal ulcers are not Crohn's:Changing perspectives of symptomatic ileocecal ulcers

To investigated clinical, endoscopic and histopathological parameters of the patients presenting with ileocecal ulcers on colonoscopy. METHODSConsecutive symptomatic patients undergoing colonoscopy, and diagnosed to have ulcerations in the ileocecal (I/C) region, were enrolled. Biopsy was obtained and their clinical presentation and outcome were recorded. RESULTSOut of 1632 colonoscopies, 104 patients had ulcerations in the I/C region and were included in the study. Their median age was 44.5 years and 59% were males. The predominant presentation was lower GI bleed (55, 53%), pain abdomen ± diarrhea (36, 35%), fever (32, 31%), and diarrhea alone (9, 9%). On colonoscopy, terminal ileum was entered in 96 (92%) cases. The distribution of ulcers was as follows: Ileum alone 40% (38/96), cecum alone 33% (32/96), and both ileum plus cecum 27% (26/96). The ulcers were multiple in 98% and in 34% there were additional ulcers elsewhere in colon. Based on clinical presentation and investigations, the etiology of ulcers was classified into infective causes (43%) and non-infective causes (57%). Fourteen patients (13%) were diagnosed to have Crohn’s disease (CD). CONCLUSIONNon-specific ileocecal ulcers are most common ulcers seen in ileo-cecal region. And if all infections are clubbed together then infection is the most common (> 40%) cause of ulcerations of the I/C region. Cecal involvement and fever are important clues to infective cause. On the contrary CD account for only 13% cases as a cause of ileo-cecalulcers. So all symptomatic patients with I/C ulcers on colonoscopy are not Crohn’s.

Non-anthracycline chemotherapy associated with a poor outcome in elderly Egyptian patients with diffuse large B-cell non-Hodgkin lymphoma

Aim:Rituximab plus cyclophosphamide,doxorubicin,vincristine,and prednisone(CHOP)is the standard treatment for patients with diffuse large B-cell non-Hodgkin lymphoma(DLBCNHL).Nevertheless,anthracyclines are contraindicated for some patients,e.g.cardiac dysfunction,severe hepatic dysfunction,jaundice.Thus,this study assessed the effectiveness of non-anthracycline chemotherapy regimen cyclophosphamide,vincristine,and prednisone(CVP)in elderly DLBCNHL patients vs.the standard CHOP.Methods:This retrospective study included 418 DLBCNHL patients diagnosed between 2003 and 2006 and followed until March 2014.During this period of time,rituximab was not available for all patients,particularly for patients older than 60 years.Results:CHOP and CVP were administered to 351(84%)and 67(16%)patients,respectively.Older age and comorbidities,particularly cardiovascular and diabetes mellitus,were independent determinants for not receiving CHOP.Patients received more courses of CHOP treatment than that of CVP(6 vs.3 courses;P<0.001)and developed more toxicities(48.4%vs.23.9%;P<0.001),particularly fatigue,alopecia,and gastrointestinal tract toxicities.Complete response rate was higher in CHOP than in CVP(69.9%vs.29.9%;P<0.001).Moreover,early death was significantly higher in CVP group of patients than in CHOP(43.3%vs.8.6%;P<0.001).After a median follow-up of 71 months,the median overall survival(OS)and event-free survival(EFS)were signifi cantly better in CHOP than in CVP(49.5 vs.3.7 months and 32.2 vs.3.5 months;P<0.001 for both,respectively).Older age,poor age-adjusted International Prognostic Index scores,not receiving CHOP or consolidative radiotherapy were independent predictors of poor OS and EFS.Conclusion:Use of the CVP regime to treat DLBCNHL patients who were unfit to the standard CHOP treatment was associated with lower remission rates and poorer EFS and OS in this group of patients.