Clinical Features of Non-Hodgkin Lymphoma-Associated Hemophagocytic Syndrome: a Retrospective Study

Clin Lab. 2024 Apr 1;70(4). doi: 10.7754/Clin.Lab.2023.230929.

Abstract

Background: This study aims to improve the understanding of lymphoma-associated hemophagocytic syndrome, and find effective methods to identify and manage this fatal disease.

Methods: Patients diagnosed with non-Hodgkin lymphoma-associated hemophagocytic syndrome from January 2008 to December 2022 in our center were included. Univariate and multivariate analyses were also conducted using the Cox proportional hazards model.

Results: Among 26 patients, 22 patients were diagnosed with T/NK cell lymphoma, while 4 patients were diagnosed with diffuse large B cell lymphoma. A total of 16 patients died with a median follow-up of 71 (26, 236) days. Compared with B cell lymphoma-associated hemophagocytic syndrome patients, T/NK cell lymphoma patients are younger, have lower platelet count, fibrinogen concentration, and serum albumin, have higher blood β2-mi-croglobulin levels and ferritin, are more likely to be infected with Epstein-Barr virus, are more inclined have a simultaneously occurrence of lymphoma and hemophagocytic syndrome. In multivariate analysis, fibrinogen, albumin, cholinesterase, uric acid, triglyceride, and ferritin are significantly associated with overall mortality.

Conclusions: LAHS is a rare disease with poor prognosis. Early anti-inflammatory treatment combined with anti-lymphoma therapy can improve the overall survival time of patients. Prospective multi-center studies with larger sample sizes and longer follow-up periods are needed to further investigate optimal treatment and prognosis.

MeSH terms

  • Epstein-Barr Virus Infections*
  • Ferritins
  • Fibrinogen
  • Herpesvirus 4, Human
  • Humans
  • Lymphohistiocytosis, Hemophagocytic* / complications
  • Lymphohistiocytosis, Hemophagocytic* / diagnosis
  • Lymphoma, T-Cell, Peripheral*
  • Prognosis
  • Prospective Studies
  • Retrospective Studies

Substances

  • Fibrinogen
  • Ferritins