T-cell Large Granular Lymphocyte Proliferations Research Articles

Transdifferentiation, phenotypic infidelity, progression, and transformation in T/NK-cell neoplasms: Report from the 2021 SH/EAHP Workshop.

Sessions 8 and 9 of the 2021 Society for Hematopathology and the European Association for Haematopathology Workshop aimed to collect examples of transdifferentiation, lineage infidelity, progression, and transformation in precursor and mature T/natural killer (NK)-cell neoplasms. Twenty-eight cases were submitted and analyzed, with whole-exome sequencing and genome-wide RNA expression analysis performed in a subset of the cases. In session 8, 7 T-lymphoblastic lymphoma/leukemia cases were received that showed transdifferentiation to clonally related mature myeloid hematopoietic neoplasms, including 6 histiocytic/dendritic cell lineage neoplasms and a mast cell sarcoma. Session 9 included 21 mature T-cell neoplasms that were grouped into 3 themes. The first one addressed phenotypic infidelity in mature T-cell lymphomas (TCLs) and included 8 TCLs expressing aberrant antigens, mimicking classic Hodgkin and non-Hodgkin B-cell lymphomas. The second theme addressed disease progression in TCL and included 5 cutaneous T-cell lymphoproliferative disorders and 2 T-cell large granular lymphocyte proliferations with subsequent progression to systemic TCL. The third theme included 6 patients with TCL with T-follicular helper phenotype, mainly angioimmunoblastic T-cell lymphoma, with concurrent/subsequent clonal hematopoiesis or myeloid neoplasms and/or subsequent/concomitant diffuse large B-cell lymphoma. This cohort of cases allowed us to illustrate, discuss, and review current concepts of transdifferentiation, aberrant antigen expression, and progression in various T/NK-cell neoplasms.

Clonal T-cell large granular lymphocyte proliferations in childhood and young adult immune dysregulation conditions.

Proliferation of large granular lymphocytes (LGL) and T-cell LGL (T-LGL) in peripheral blood along with demonstration of clonality are the hallmarks of a heterogeneous group of disorders, including T-LGL leukemia or T-LGL lymphocytosis. They are often associated with neutropenia and responsive to immunosuppression. The true nature of this entity is not well understood. Some cases are reported as reactive phenomena with very limited experience in pediatric population. Hematology/Oncology Flow Cytometry Laboratory database has been reviewed retrospectively. Patients with identifiable distinct CD5-dim T-cell population and positive clonal T-cell receptor rearrangement were included in the analysis. Clinical and laboratory data were then reviewed. Sixteen cases of children and young adults with increased peripheral blood clonal T-LGL population characterized by dim CD5 expression with wide range of underlying immune dysregulation/stimulation disorders were reviewed. Extended follow up with repeat testing suggested the reactive nature of persistent clonal T-LGL proliferations in this group. Our observations indicate that clonal T-LGL proliferations in children and young adults are reactive in nature and some can be persistent with an indolent course with unknown consequentiality. Clonal T-LGL cells could be targeting the most prominent immunogenic stressor(s) involved as a control mechanism.

Characterization of Myelodysplastic Syndromes (MDS) with T-Cell Large Granular Lymphocyte Proliferations (LGL)

▪Introduction:MDS include a spectrum of hematopoietic stem cell malignancies characterized by bone marrow failure and dysplastic morphology. LGL is a clonal proliferation of cytotoxic T cells, which manifest as neutropenia, anemia, and thrombocytopenia and is associated with autoimmune disorders. LGL in association with MDS has been previously reported. However, clinicopathological features, prognostic, and predictive factors in those patients diagnosed with both LGL and MDS is not well studied.Methods:We identified patients at Moffitt Cancer Center (MCC) diagnosed with MDS who were previously tested for the presence of LGL clonal populations by peripheral blood flow cytometry at time of first visit. An LGL population was defined by the standard flow cytometry immunophenotype and clonality confirmed by T-cell receptor gamma and beta gene rearrangement.. Next Generation sequencing data was available for 151 patients. Recurrent somatic gene mutations were compared between patients with an LGL clone and those without.Results:Of the 675 patients with MDS tested for LGL in the database, 206 (30.5%) had an LGL clonal population. The mean LGL absolute cell count in the peripheral blood was 335/µL. Table-1 summarizes the baseline characteristics of the two groups.There was no difference in response to azacitidine therapy. Among 50 patients with LGL clone who received azacitidine with available data on response, the rate of hematological improvement or better (HI+) was 38%. The (HI+) was 28% among 105 patients evaluable for response without LGL clone. P .14The median overall survival (OS) was for patients with no LGL clone was 65 months (mo) compared to 46 mo (p .024). The median OS for lower risk MDS patients (low/int-1 by International Prognostic Scoring System [IPSS]) was 68 mo versus 97 mo for those with or without LGL proliferation, respectively (P .005). In higher risk MDS, there was no difference in median OS between those with or without LGL expansion, respectively (20 mo versus 16 mo, p .7). The median OS for patients with very low/ low Revised-Internatinal Prognostic Scoring System (R-IPSS) was 96 mo if LGL proliferation was detected compared to 128 mo if it was not, (p value .016). For intermediate R-IPSS the median OS was 65 mo and 41 mo with or without LGL proliferation (p .16). Finally, for high/very high R-IPSS the median OS was 18 and 16 mo with or without LGL proliferation, (p .84) In cox regression analysis the presence of an LGL clone was independently prognostic for OS after adjusting for age and R-IPSS, Hazard ratio 1.3, p = .05. Somatic gene mutation data were available for 151 patients; there was no statistically significant difference in the distribution of any mutation except IDH-2 (Table-2). The most common somatic mutations observed among patients with LGL clone were SF3B1 19%, TET-2 16%, U2AF1 13%, IDH-2 13%, RUNX-1 13%, and ASXL-1 10%. In patients without an LGL clone the most common somatic mutations were TET-2 26%, ASXL-1 20%, DNMT3A 16%, TP53 13%, SF3B1 12%.Conclusion:An LGL clone is demonstrable in approximately 30% of patients with MDS in association with advancing age. The presence of LGL proliferation was associated with worse OS in lower risk MDS pts. Although the spectrum of somatic gene mutations were similar, the presence of IDH-2 mutation and absence of DNMT3A or TP53 gene mutationscharacterized LGL+ cases. [Display omitted] [Display omitted] DisclosuresRoe:Celgene: Speakers Bureau; Alexion: Speakers Bureau; Seattle Genetics: Speakers Bureau. Sweet:Pfizer: Speakers Bureau; Novartis: Consultancy, Speakers Bureau; Ariad: Consultancy, Speakers Bureau; Incyte Corporation: Research Funding; Karyopharm: Honoraria, Research Funding. Sokol:Seattle Genetics: Consultancy; Spectrum: Consultancy. Komrokji:Celgene: Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees, Research Funding; Novartis: Consultancy, Speakers Bureau; Incyte: Consultancy.

T-Cell Large Granular Lymphocyte Proliferation (LGL) in Patients with Myelodysplastic Syndromes (MDS): Not an Innocent Bystander?

T-Cell Large Granular Lymphocyte Proliferation (LGL) in Patients with Myelodysplastic Syndromes (MDS): Not an Innocent Bystander?

T-cell large granular lymphocyte proliferation in myelodysplastic syndromes: Clinicopathological features and prognostic significance

Inflammatory and immune dysregulation are crucial in the initiation and development of myelodysplastic syndromes (MDS). It is noted that clonal T-cell large granular lymphocyte (T-LGL) proliferation associated with MDS is not uncommon. However, clinicopathological features, and prognostic and predictive value of presence of T-LGL proliferation in MDS patients is not very clear. This study compared 35 MDS patients with T-LGL proliferation with 36 MDS patients without T-LGL proliferation and summarized clinicopathologic features, including peripheral blood LGL cell counts, immunophenotype, T cell receptor gene rearrangement, bone marrow hematopoietic status, and adjuvant immunosuppressive therapy. The peripheral blood CD3+/CD57+ cell counts were significantly different (p<0.01) between the two groups. Notably, on examination of the bone marrow, MDS patients with T-LGL proliferation showed more frequent hypocellularity and/or lineage hypoplasia, particularly erythroid hypoplasia. On survival analysis, no overall difference was noted between MDS patients with T-LGL proliferation and those without T-LGL proliferation, and between the patients who received therapy for LGL and those who did not receive adjuvant therapy for LGL in the same risk group. In conclusion, T-LGL proliferation present in MDS patients can be associated with bone marrow hypocellularity and lineage hypoplasia. Although immunosuppressive therapy to eliminate T-LGL cells is potentially beneficial to the MDS patients with associated T-LGL proliferation, there is no overall survival benefit to the patients who received such treatment.

Lack of common TCRA and TCRB clonotypes in CD8+/TCRαβ+ T-cell large granular lymphocyte leukemia: a review on the role of antigenic selection in the immunopathogenesis of CD8+ T-LGL

Clonal CD8+/T-cell receptor (TCR)αβ+ T-cell large granular lymphocyte (T-LGL) proliferations constitute the most common subtype of T-LGL leukemia. Although the etiology of T-LGL leukemia is largely unknown, it has been hypothesized that chronic antigenic stimulation contributes to the pathogenesis of this disorder. In the present study, we explored the association between expanded TCR-Vβ and TCR-Vα clonotypes in a cohort of 26 CD8+/TCRαβ+ T-LGL leukemia patients, in conjunction with the HLA-ABC genotype, to find indications for common antigenic stimuli. In addition, we applied purpose-built sophisticated computational tools for an in-depth evaluation of clustering of TCRβ (TCRB) complementarity determining region 3 (CDR3) amino-acid LGL clonotypes. We observed a lack of clear TCRA and TCRB CDR3 homology in CD8+/TCRαβ+ T-LGL, with only low level similarity between small numbers of cases. This is in strong contrast to the homology that is seen in CD4+/TCRαβ+ T-LGL and TCRγδ+ T-LGL and thus underlines the idea that the LGL types have different etiopathogenesis. The heterogeneity of clonal CD8+/TCRαβ+ T-LGL proliferations might in fact suggest that multiple pathogens or autoantigens are involved.

Characteristics of T-cell large granular lymphocyte proliferations associated with neutropenia and inflammatory arthropathy

IntroductionThe purpose of this study was to analyze the data of patients with T-cell large granular lymphocyte (T-LGL) lymphocytosis associated with inflammatory arthropathy or with no arthritis symptoms.MethodsClinical, serological as well as histopathological, immuhistochemical, and flow cytometric evaluations of blood/bone marrow of 21 patients with T-LGL lymphocytosis were performed. The bone marrow samples were also investigated for T-cell receptor (TCR) and immunoglobulin (IG) gene rearrangements by polymerase chain reaction with heteroduplex analysis.ResultsNeutropenia was observed in 21 patients, splenomegaly in 10, autoimmune diseases such as rheumatoid arthritis (RA) in 9, unclassified arthritis resembling RA in 2, and autoimmune thyroiditis in 5 patients. T-LGL leukemia was recognized in 19 cases. Features of Felty syndrome were observed in all RA patients, representing a spectrum of T-LGL proliferations from reactive polyclonal through transitional between reactive and monoclonal to T-LGL leukemia. Bone marrow trephines from T-LGL leukemia patients showed interstitial clusters and intrasinusoidal linear infiltrations of CD3+/CD8+/CD57+/granzyme B+ lymphocytes, reactive lymphoid nodules, and decreased or normal granulocyte precursor count with left-shifted maturation. In three-color flow cytometry (FCM), T-LGL leukemia cells demonstrated CD2, CD3, and CD8 expression as well as a combination of CD16, CD56, or CD57. Abnormalities of other T-cell antigen expressions (especially CD5, CD7, and CD43) were also detected. In patients with polyclonal T-LGL lymphocytosis, T cells were dispersed in the bone marrow and the expression of pan-T-cell antigens in FCM was normal. Molecular studies revealed TCRB and TCRG gene rearrangements in 13 patients and TCRB, TCRG, and TCRD in 4 patients. The most frequently rearranged regions of variable genes were Vβ-Jβ1, Jβ2 and Vγ If Vγ10-Jγ. Moreover, in 4 patients, additional rearrangements of IG kappa and lambda variable genes of B cells were also observed.ConclusionRA and neutropenia patients represented a continuous spectrum of T-LGL proliferations, although monoclonal expansions were most frequently observed. The histopathological pattern and immunophenotype of bone marrow infiltration as well as molecular characteristics were similar in T-LGL leukemia patients with and without arthritis.

Clinical and Pathological Presentation of T-Cell Large Granular Lymphocyte Proliferations (T-LGL): A Single Institution Experience.

Proliferations of T-cell large granular lymphocytes (T-LGL) are a rare and heterogeneous disease entity characterized by a chronic course, cytopenias and circulating cytotoxic T lymphocytes. We present the results of a single institution retrospective review of the clinical presentation of T-LGL proliferations. A total of 23 patients evaluated for cytopenias were identified as having T-LGL by flow cytometry, ten male and thirteen female, with a median age of 67 years at diagnosis. Twelve patients had a prior malignancy (non-Hodgkins lymphoma=4, MDS/AML=4, breast cancer=2, squamous cell cancer (SCC) of the skin =2, lung SCC=1, vocal cord SCC=1, uterine cancer=1) and five patients had a history of autoimmune disease (rheumatoid arthritis=2, vasculitis=1, polyarthritis=1, Wegener's granulomatosis=1), while seven patients had no previous history of autoimmune disease or malignancy. Four patients with prior malignancy had active disease and this led to death in three. Of the twelve patients informative for T-cell receptor gene rearrangements, clonal populations were found in eight. All patients who had cytopenias requiring treatment were initially treated with cyclosporine monotherapy, with the further addition of growth factors if necessary.Multiparameter flow cytometric analysis of blood or bone marrow aspirates revealed that patients with a prior history of systemic malignancy had the common immunophenotype of CD3+(h), CD8+(h), CD2+, CD5+, CD7(h), CD56(h), CD57+, CD38+, CD16−. In contrast, patients who did not have a prior history of malignancy were CD3+, CD8+, CD2+, CD5+, CD7+, CD56+/−, CD57+, CD38+/(h), CD16+/− (h=heterogeneous). Thus patients with a prior malignancy had more heterogeneous expression of the T-cell markers CD3, CD8 and CD7 and were less likely to express CD16. We conclude that prior malignancy is more common in patients with T-LGL proliferations than previously recognized, may be twice as frequent as autoimmune disease in association with T-LGL and may have a distinct immunophenotype. Our data suggest that malignant cells may induce proliferations of T-LGL.

A unique case of splenic marginal zone-cell lymphoma with synchronous clonal T-cell large granular lymphocyte proliferation: an immunologic, immunohistochemical and genotypic study

We describe a case of synchronous splenic marginal zone-cell lymphoma (SMZL) and T-cell large granular lymphocyte leukemia involving the spleen, liver, bone marrow and peripheral blood. The synchronous occurrence of these two processes was documented by morphological, immunophenotypical and molecular (PCR) analyses of all affected tissues. The pathogenetic mechanisms which may be responsible for the concomitant appearance of these two rather infrequent entities in the same anatomic sites are discussed.