Remission of inflammatory arthropathy in association with anti-CD20 therapy for non-Hodgkin's lymphoma. (17/945)

We describe a case involving a 53-yr-old male with a marginal zone B-cell lymphoma, associated with an IgM paraprotein and a rheumatoid factor-negative inflammatory polyarthropathy, treated with monoclonal anti-CD20 antibody. During the subsequent 12 weeks, evidence of synovitis reduced to a negligible level, despite no significant change in lymphoma bulk or paraprotein level. The relationship between the lymphoma and the arthropathy, and the likely mechanism of remission of the arthropathy, are discussed in the context of the potential value of anti-CD20 therapy in rheumatoid arthritis.  (+info)

Phase I/II trial of IDEC-Y2B8 radioimmunotherapy for treatment of relapsed or refractory CD20(+) B-cell non-Hodgkin's lymphoma. (18/945)

PURPOSE: Yttrium-90 ibritumomab tiuxetan (IDEC-Y2B8) is a murine immunoglobulin G1 kappa monoclonal antibody that covalently binds MX-DTPA (tiuxetan), which chelates the radioisotope yttrium-90. The antibody targets CD20, a B-lymphocyte antigen. A multicenter phase I/II trial was conducted to compare two doses of unlabeled rituximab given before radiolabeled antibody, to determine the maximum-tolerated single dose of IDEC-Y2B8 that could be administered without stem-cell support, and to evaluate safety and efficacy. PATIENTS AND METHODS: Eligible patients had relapsed or refractory (two prior regimens or anthracycline if low-grade disease) CD20(+) B-cell low-grade, intermediate-grade, or mantle-cell non-Hodgkin's lymphoma (NHL). There was no limit on bulky disease, and 59% had at least one mass > or = 5 cm. RESULTS: The maximum-tolerated dose was 0.4 mCi/kg IDEC-Y2B8 (0.3 mCi/kg for patients with baseline platelet counts 100 to 149,000/microL). The overall response rate for the intent-to-treat population (n = 51) was 67% (26% complete response [CR]; 41% partial response [PR]); for low-grade disease (n = 34), 82% (26% CR; 56% PR); for intermediate-grade disease (n = 14), 43%; and for mantle-cell disease (n = 3), 0%. Responses occurred in patients with bulky disease (> or = 7 cm; 41%) and splenomegaly (50%). Kaplan-Meier estimate of time to disease progression in responders and duration of response is 12.9+ months and 11.7+ months, respectively. Adverse events were primarily hematologic and correlated with baseline extent of marrow involvement with NHL and baseline platelet count. One patient (2%) developed an anti-antibody response (human antichimeric antibody/human antimouse antibody). CONCLUSION: These phase I/II data demonstrate that IDEC-Y2B8 radioimmunotherapy is a safe and effective alternative for outpatient therapy of patients with relapsed or refractory NHL. A phase III study is ongoing.  (+info)

Follicle center lymphoma and Warthin tumor involving the same anatomic site. Report of two cases and review of the literature. (19/945)

We report 2 cases of follicle center non-Hodgkin lymphoma (NHL) and Warthin tumor involving the same site. Case 1 is a 68-year-old woman with Warthin tumor and grade 1 follicular NHL involving a periparotid lymph node. She had localized NHL and was treated with radiation therapy; dissemination developed 54 months later. Case 2 is a 55-year-old man with a 17-year history of a parotid mass with gradual enlargement during the last 5 years. Surgical excision revealed Warthin tumor and grade 1 follicular NHL involving the right parotid gland and surrounding lymph nodes. Immunohistochemical studies supported the diagnosis of NHL in both cases; the neoplasms were positive for CD20 and BCL-2 and negative for CD3. Polymerase chain reaction analysis done on paraffinembedded tissue of case 1 revealed monoclonal immunoglobulin heavy chain gene rearrangement and bcl-2/JH fusion DNA sequences diagnostic of the t(14;18)(q32;q21). The small size of the Warthin tumor in case 1, clearly arising in lymph node, supports the hypothesis that Warthin tumor arises from heterotopic salivary gland ducts within lymph nodes. The localized NHL in both patients suggests that the NHL initially arose in the lymph node involved by Warthin tumor, and, thus, the Warthin tumor may have provided a source of long-term antigenic stimulation from which a monoclonal B-cell population subsequently arose.  (+info)

Lack of evidence for an involvement of Epstein-Barr virus infection of synovial membranes in the pathogenesis of rheumatoid arthritis. (20/945)

OBJECTIVE: To test the hypothesis that Epstein-Barr virus (EBV) infection of cells within the synovial membrane contributes to the pathogenesis of rheumatoid arthritis (RA). METHODS: Biopsy samples of synovial membrane from 37 patients with RA and from 51 patients with other joint diseases were studied for evidence of EBV infection using in situ hybridization specific for the EBV-encoded RNAs (EBERs). Latent membrane protein 1 (LMP1) and the lytic-cycle BZLF1 protein were detected by immunohistochemistry. RESULTS: Rare EBER-positive B lymphocytes were detected in 7 RA biopsy samples. EBV was not detectable in any other cells. Expression of the LMP1 and BZLF1 proteins of EBV was not observed in any of the samples. No EBV infection was detected in synovial membranes from patients with other joint diseases. CONCLUSION: Our data indicate that EBV infection is not directly involved in the pathogenesis of RA. Any contribution of EBV to the pathogenic process leading to RA is likely to be indirect.  (+info)

CD20 monoclonal antibody (rituximab) for therapy of Epstein-Barr virus lymphoma after hemopoietic stem-cell transplantation. (21/945)

After bone marrow transplantation (BMT) using T-cell-depleted marrow from an unrelated donor or HLA-mismatched related donor, the risk of developing lymphoproliferative disease associated with the Epstein-Barr virus (EBV) ranges from 1% to 25%. We have shown that administration of donor-derived EBV-specific cytotoxic T lymphocytes (CTL) is effective prophylaxis and treatment for this complication, and we routinely generate CTL for high-risk patients. However, EBV lymphoma can occur in recipients of matched-sibling transplants for whom CTL are unavailable or in patients for whom CTL administration is contraindicated. We report on 3 such patients, who were successfully and safely treated with rituximab, a CD20 monoclonal antibody. The patients remain disease free 7, 8, and 9 months, respectively, after therapy. We conclude that CD20 antibody may be a useful alternative treatment strategy in patients with EBV lymphoma after BMT. (Blood. 2000;95:1502-1505)  (+info)

Midline destructive lesions of the sinonasal tract: simplified terminology based on histopathologic criteria. (22/945)

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE: Destructive lesions of the sinonasal tract, lacking a discernible etiology and referred to as midline destructive disease, have been pathologically classified in accordance with a variety of confusing terms. Development of new pathologic concepts and immunohistochemical techniques has provided a fresh understanding of these lesions, and, as a result, they can be unified into two distinct pathologic groups: Wegener's granulomatosis and non-Hodgkin's T-cell lymphoma. METHODS: We retrospectively reviewed the imaging studies and pathologic specimens of seven patients with prior diagnoses included in the midline destructive disease group. The specimens were reviewed by an oral pathologist using currently accepted pathologic criteria and the newly available immunohistochemical markers CD20, CD45, and CD45RO. Lesions were classified as non-Hodgkin's T-cell lymphomas when positive for CD45 and CD45RO and negative for CD20, and as Wegener's granulomatosis in the presence of noncaseating multinucleated giant cell granulomas and necrotizing vasculitis. RESULTS: Three of the lesions were reclassified as Wegener's granulomatosis and four as T-cell lymphomas after applying these pathologic criteria. There were no distinguishing imaging findings between Wegener's granulomatosis and non-Hodgkin's T-cell lymphoma. CONCLUSION: The current pathologic classification for midline destructive disease should be incorporated into the radiologic lexicon and the use of terms from the old classification system, such as idiopathic midline granuloma and lethal midline granuloma, should be abandoned and no longer be used in radiologic reports.  (+info)

Multicenter phase II study of iodine-131 tositumomab for chemotherapy-relapsed/refractory low-grade and transformed low-grade B-cell non-Hodgkin's lymphomas. (23/945)

PURPOSE: This multicenter phase II study evaluated the efficacy, dosimetry methodology, and safety of iodine-131 tositumomab in patients with chemotherapy-relapsed/refractory low-grade or transformed low-grade non-Hodgkin's lymphoma (NHL). PATIENTS AND METHODS: Patients received a dosimetric dose that consisted of 450 mg of anti-B1 antibody followed by 35 mg (5 mCi) of iodine-131 tositumomab. Serial total-body gamma counts were then obtained to calculate the patient-specific millicurie activity required to deliver the therapeutic dose. A therapeutic dose of 75 cGy total-body dose (attenuated to 65 cGy in patients with platelet counts of 101,000 to 149,000 cells/mm(3)) was given 7 to 14 days after the dosimetric dose. RESULTS: Forty-five of 47 patients were treated with a single dosimetric and therapeutic dose. Twenty-seven patients (57%) had a response. The response rate was similar in patients with low-grade (57%) or transformed low-grade (60%) NHL. The median duration of response was 9.9 months. Fifteen patients (32%) achieved a complete response (CR; 10 CRs and five clinical CRs), including five patients (50%) with transformed low-grade NHL. The median duration of CR was 19.9 months, and six patients have an ongoing CR. Treatment was well tolerated, with the principal toxicity being hematologic. The most common nonhematologic toxicities that were considered to be possibly related to the treatment included mild to moderate fatigue (32%), nausea (30%), fever (26%), vomiting (15%), infection (13%), pruritus (13%), and rash (13%). Additionally, one patient developed human-antimouse antibodies. CONCLUSION: Iodine-131 tositumomab produced a high overall response rate, and approximately one third of patients had a CR despite having chemotherapy-relapsed or refractory low-grade or transformed low-grade NHL.  (+info)

Primary low-grade lymphoma of mucosa-associated lymphoid tissue of the urinary bladder: a case report with special reference to the use of ancillary diagnostic studies. (24/945)

We report a case of primary low-grade B-cell lymphoma of the mucosa-associated lymphoid tissue (MALT) type of the urinary bladder. The patient, a 77-year-old woman, presented with a sense of urinary retention. An intravenous pyelogram and cystoscopy revealed a wide-based submucosal mass measuring 3 cm in the left wall of the urinary bladder. Histological findings of the tissue obtained by transurethral resection (TUR) showed a dense, monomorphic atypical lymphoid (centrocyte-like) infiltrate with reactive lymph follicles in the subepithelial tissue. Monocytoid and plasmacytoid features were readily evident in a population of these cells. Lymphoepithelial lesions involving the urothelium were also noticed in some areas. These features were strongly suggestive of primary low-grade lymphoma of the MALT type. The diagnosis was confirmed by immunohistochemical and flow cytometric studies, both of which showed a clear immunoglobulin restriction to lambda light chain and also by polymerase chain reaction-based assay using a formalin-fixed paraffin-embedded TUR tissue sample, which showed a clonal Ig heavy-chain gene rearrangement. Clinical staging procedures revealed that the tumor was localized in the urinary bladder. The patient has not received chemotherapy and is alive and well with no evidence of recurrence, 3 years after TUR. This case demonstrates that these ancillary tests are worth performing for confirmation of B-cell clonality in TUR tissue samples showing dense B-lymphocytic infiltration.  (+info)