Mario Luppi1, Giovanna Leonardi1, Emiliano Barbieri2, Stefano Pozzi1, Roberta Gelmini3, Luca Roncati4, Monica Maccaferri1, Leonardo Potenza1, Roberto Marasca1. 1. Hematology Unit and Chair, Department of Medical and Surgical Sciences, Azienda Ospedaliera Universitaria Di Modena, University of Modena and Reggio Emilia, Modena, Italy. 2. Hematology Unit and Chair, Department of Medical and Surgical Sciences, Azienda Ospedaliera Universitaria Di Modena, University of Modena and Reggio Emilia, Modena, Italy. 163235@studenti.unimore.it. 3. Surgery Unit, Department of Medical and Surgical Sciences, Azienda Ospedaliera Universitaria Di Modena, University of Modena and Reggio Emilia, Modena, Italy. 4. Institute of Pathology, University of Modena and Reggio Emilia, Modena, Italy.
Abstract
PURPOSE: MEITL is a very rare and highly aggressive peripheral T cell lymphoma with poor prognosis and for which there is no standard treatment. Treatment options for patients patients with relapsed/refractory disease are scarce and the choice of an appropriate rescue still represents an unmet need. METHODS: Here, we report the case of a 65-year-old woman affected by MEITL, progressing after initial treatment with an anthracycline-based chemotherapy and surgery, who received single-agent PEG-asparaginase salvage therapy at our institution. RESULTS: PEG-asparaginase single-agent rescue proved to be rapidly effective in controlling the disease and its associated paraneoplastic features. Nevertheless, toxicity was high and the patient died due to a treatment-related complication. CONCLUSION: The case we described brings new evidences on the effectiveness of PEG-asparaginase therapy in MEITL patients. Whether PEG-asparaginase should be included in the treatment course of MEITL patients could be the subject of future studies.
PURPOSE: MEITL is a very rare and highly aggressive peripheral T cell lymphoma with poor prognosis and for which there is no standard treatment. Treatment options for patients patients with relapsed/refractory disease are scarce and the choice of an appropriate rescue still represents an unmet need. METHODS: Here, we report the case of a 65-year-old woman affected by MEITL, progressing after initial treatment with an anthracycline-based chemotherapy and surgery, who received single-agent PEG-asparaginase salvage therapy at our institution. RESULTS: PEG-asparaginase single-agent rescue proved to be rapidly effective in controlling the disease and its associated paraneoplastic features. Nevertheless, toxicity was high and the patient died due to a treatment-related complication. CONCLUSION: The case we described brings new evidences on the effectiveness of PEG-asparaginase therapy in MEITL patients. Whether PEG-asparaginase should be included in the treatment course of MEITL patients could be the subject of future studies.