EBV-associated T/NK-cell lymphoproliferative diseases in nonimmunocompromised hosts: prospective analysis of 108 cases

Blood. 2012 Jan 19;119(3):673-86. doi: 10.1182/blood-2011-10-381921. Epub 2011 Nov 16.

Abstract

EBV-associated T/NK-cell lymphoproliferative disease (T/NK-LPD) is defined as a systemic illness characterized by clonal proliferation of EBV-infected T or NK cells. We prospectively enrolled 108 nonimmunocompromised patients with this disease (50 men and 58 women; median onset age, 8 years; age range, 1-50 years) evidenced by expansion of EBV(+) T/NK cells in the peripheral blood; these were of the T-cell type in 64 cases and of the NK-cell type in 44, and were clinically categorized into 4 groups: 80 cases of chronic active EBV disease, 15 of EBV-associated hemophagocytic lymphohistiocytosis, 9 of severe mosquito bite allergy, and 4 of hydroa vacciniforme. These clinical profiles were closely linked with the EBV(+) cell immunophenotypes. In a median follow-up period of 46 months, 47 patients (44%) died of severe organ complications. During the follow-up, 13 patients developed overt lymphoma or leukemia characterized by extranodal NK/T-cell lymphoma and aggressive NK-cell leukemia. Fifty-nine received hematopoietic stem cell transplantation, 66% of whom survived. Age at onset of disease (≥ 8 years) and liver dysfunction were risk factors for mortality, whereas patients who received transplantation had a better prognosis. These data depict clinical characteristics of systemic EBV(+) T/NK-LPD and provide insight into the diagnostic and therapeutic approaches for distinct disease.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Adolescent
  • Adult
  • Child
  • Child, Preschool
  • DNA, Viral / genetics
  • Epstein-Barr Virus Infections / complications
  • Epstein-Barr Virus Infections / pathology*
  • Epstein-Barr Virus Infections / virology
  • Female
  • Follow-Up Studies
  • Herpesvirus 4, Human / genetics
  • Herpesvirus 4, Human / immunology
  • Herpesvirus 4, Human / isolation & purification*
  • Humans
  • Immunocompromised Host
  • Infant
  • Killer Cells, Natural / immunology*
  • Killer Cells, Natural / pathology
  • Killer Cells, Natural / virology
  • Lymphoproliferative Disorders / etiology*
  • Lymphoproliferative Disorders / mortality
  • Lymphoproliferative Disorders / pathology*
  • Male
  • Middle Aged
  • Polymerase Chain Reaction
  • Prognosis
  • Prospective Studies
  • Survival Rate
  • Young Adult

Substances

  • DNA, Viral