Methotrexate-associated lymphoproliferative disorders of T-cell phenotype: clinicopathological analysis of 28 cases

Mod Pathol. 2019 Jul;32(8):1135-1146. doi: 10.1038/s41379-019-0264-2. Epub 2019 Apr 5.

Abstract

Methotrexate-associated lymphoproliferative disorders are categorized as "other immunodeficiency-associated lymphoproliferative disorders in the WHO classification. Methotrexate-associated lymphoproliferative disorder is mainly a B-cell lymphoproliferative disorders or Hodgkin lymphoma type, whereas T-cell lymphoproliferative disorders are relatively rare (4-8%). Only a small number of methotrexate-associated T-cell lymphoproliferative disorders have been detailed thus far. Because of the rarity, methotrexate-associated T-cell lymphoproliferative disorder has not been well studied and its clinicopathological characteristics are unknown. A total of 28 cases of methotrexate-associated T-cell lymphoproliferative disorders were retrospectively analyzed. Histologically and immunohistochemically, they were divided into three main types: angioimmunoblastic T-cell lymphoma (n = 19), peripheral T-cell lymphoma, NOS (n = 6), and CD8+ cytotoxic T-cell lymphoma (n = 3). Among the 28 cases, only one CD8+ cytotoxic T-cell lymphoma case was Epstein-Barr virus-positive. The other 27 cases were negative for Epstein-Barr virus on tumor cells, but scattered Epstein-Barr virus-infected B-cells were detected in 24 cases (89%), implying the reactivation of Epstein-Barr virus caused by immunodeficient status of the patients. After the diagnosis of methotrexate-associated T-cell lymphoproliferative disorder, methotrexate was immediately withdrawn in 26 cases. Twenty (77%) cases presented with spontaneous regression. Compared to methotrexate-associated B-cell lymphoproliferative disorder, patients with methotrexate-associated T-cell lymphoproliferative disorder had a significantly higher proportion of males (p = 0.035) and presence of B-symptoms (p = 0.036), and lower proportion of Epstein-Barr virus+ tumor cells (p < 0.001). Although the difference was not significant, the methotrexate-associated T-cell lymphoproliferative disorder also had more frequent spontaneous regression (p = 0.061). In conclusion, methotrexate-associated T-cell lymphoproliferative disorder was divided into three main types: angioimmunoblastic T-cell lymphoma, peripheral T-cell lymphoma, NOS, and CD8+ cytotoxic T-cell lymphoma. Angioimmunoblastic T-cell lymphoma was the most common type. Methotrexate-associated T-cell lymphoproliferative disorder was characterized by a high rate of spontaneous regression after methotrexate cessation. Epstein-Barr virus positivity was relatively rare in methotrexate-associated T-cell lymphoproliferative disorder, significantly less frequent than methotrexate-associated B-cell lymphoproliferative disorder, suggesting different pathogenesis.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Aged
  • Aged, 80 and over
  • Cell Proliferation / drug effects*
  • Female
  • Herpesvirus 4, Human / isolation & purification
  • Humans
  • Immunoblastic Lymphadenopathy / chemically induced
  • Immunoblastic Lymphadenopathy / immunology
  • Immunoblastic Lymphadenopathy / pathology
  • Immunosuppressive Agents / adverse effects*
  • Lymphoma, T-Cell, Peripheral / chemically induced
  • Lymphoma, T-Cell, Peripheral / immunology
  • Lymphoma, T-Cell, Peripheral / pathology
  • Lymphoproliferative Disorders / chemically induced*
  • Lymphoproliferative Disorders / immunology
  • Lymphoproliferative Disorders / pathology
  • Lymphoproliferative Disorders / virology
  • Male
  • Methotrexate / adverse effects*
  • Middle Aged
  • Phenotype
  • Prognosis
  • Retrospective Studies
  • T-Lymphocyte Subsets / drug effects*
  • T-Lymphocyte Subsets / immunology
  • T-Lymphocyte Subsets / pathology
  • T-Lymphocyte Subsets / virology
  • T-Lymphocytes, Cytotoxic / drug effects
  • T-Lymphocytes, Cytotoxic / immunology
  • T-Lymphocytes, Cytotoxic / pathology

Substances

  • Immunosuppressive Agents
  • Methotrexate