Open AccessClinicopathological analysis of methotrexate‐associated lymphoproliferative disorders: Comparison of diffuse large B‐cell lymphoma and classical Hodgkin lymphoma types
Author(s) -
Gion Yuka,
Iwaki Noriko,
Takata Katsuyoshi,
Takeuchi Mai,
Nishida Keiichiro,
Orita Yorihisa,
Tachibana Tomoyasu,
Yoshino Tadashi,
Sato Yasuharu
Publication year - 2017
Publication title -
cancer science
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 2.035
H-Index - 141
eISSN - 1349-7006
pISSN - 1347-9032
DOI - 10.1111/cas.13249
Subject(s) - methotrexate , discontinuation , medicine , lymphoma , rheumatoid arthritis , chemotherapy , antifolate , gastroenterology , lymphoproliferative disorders , diffuse large b cell lymphoma , oncology , antimetabolite
Patients with rheumatoid arthritis often develop methotrexate‐associated lymphoproliferative disorders ( MTX ‐ LPD ) during MTX treatment. MTX ‐ LPD occasionally regresses spontaneously after simply discontinuing MTX treatment. In patients without spontaneous regression, additional chemotherapy is required to avoid disease progression. However, the differences between spontaneous and non‐spontaneous regression have yet to be elucidated. To clarify the factors important for spontaneous regression, we analyzed the clinicopathological features of 51 patients with rheumatoid arthritis who developed MTX ‐ LPD (diffuse large B‐cell lymphoma [ DLBCL ]‐type [ n = 34] and classical Hodgkin lymphoma [ CHL ]‐type [ n = 17]). We examined the interval from MTX discontinuation to the administration of additional chemotherapy. The majority of DLBCL ‐type MTX ‐ LPD patients (81%) exhibited remission with MTX discontinuation alone. In contrast, the majority of CHL ‐type MTX ‐ LPD patients (76%) required additional chemotherapy. This difference was statistically significant ( P = 0.001). However, overall survival was not significantly different between DLBCL ‐type and CHL ‐type (91% vs 94%, respectively; P > 0.05). Thus, the morphological differences in the pathological findings of MTX ‐ LPD may be a factor for spontaneous or non‐spontaneous regression after discontinuation of MTX .