Use of Brentuximab Vedotin in a Non-HIV Patient with Primary Effusion Lymphoma

Joana Ferra; Filipa Mousinho; Francisca Miranda; Sandra André; Celina Afonso; Fernando Nogueira

doi:10.12890/2021_002345

Use of Brentuximab Vedotin in a Non-HIV Patient with Primary Effusion Lymphoma

Eur J Case Rep Intern Med. 2021 Feb 22;8(3):002345. doi: 10.12890/2021_002345. eCollection 2021.

Authors

Joana Ferra¹, Filipa Mousinho², Francisca Miranda², Sandra André¹, Celina Afonso², Fernando Nogueira¹

Affiliations

¹ Pneumology Department, Hospital Egas Moniz, Centro Hospitalar Lisboa Ocidental, E.P.E., Portugal.
² Hematology Department, Hospital São Francisco Xavier, Centro Hospitalar Lisboa Ocidental, E.P.E., Portugal.

Abstract

Primary effusion lymphoma is a rare and aggressive large B-cell lymphoma presenting as malignant effusion with poor prognosis. Although it is more prevalent among HIV patients, it has also been described in non-HIV immunocompromised individuals. Given its rarity, there are no large randomized trials regarding the best therapeutic option. The choice of therapy is based on retrospective studies, case reports and preclinical data. We present the case of a non-HIV patient with relapsed disease after treatment with CHOP who was then successfully treated with brentuximab vedotin, achieving complete remission.

Learning points: Primary effusion lymphoma is a rare entity in non-HIV patients, so there are no clinical trials regarding therapeutic options or management decisions.Targeted therapy with brentuximab vedotin has been used in other CD30 positive malignancies and in HIV-related primary effusion lymphoma with good outcomes.We present the case of a non-HIV patient with primary effusion lymphoma who was successfully treated with brentuximab vedotin, which highlights the potential role of a new therapeutic approach in this subgroup of patients.

Keywords: Primary effusion lymphoma; brentuximab vedotin; non-HIV.