L-asparaginase induced complete remission in Epstein-Barr virus positive, multidrug resistant, cutaneous T-cell lymphoma.
A 30-year-old man was admitted to our hospital with subcutaneous tumors and a high fever. Based on biomicroscopic findings of the tumor, the patient was diagnosed as having diffuse, medium, well-differentiated malignant lymphoma. Immunochemical analysis showed that CD3, CD4, CD25, and TCR beta were positive, and in situ hybridization revealed Epstein-Barr virus-encoded small RNAs in the nuclei of the lymphoma cells. Despite the patient's resistance to multidrug therapy, complete remission was achieved using L-asparaginase. This case is unique because of its peculiar clinical course and a possible association with the Epstein-Barr virus. L-asparaginase may be an important treatment in other patients who exhibit some of these characteristics.
Department of Internal Medicine, Kagoshima City Hospital, Japan. obama@bc.mbn.or.jp
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D000328:Adult; D001215:Asparaginase / Q000494:pharmacology*; D018432:Drug Resistance, Multiple; D004854:Herpesvirus 4, Human / Q000302:isolation & purification*; D006801:Humans; D016410:Lymphoma, T-Cell, Cutaneous / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000821:virology*; D008297:Male; D012074:Remission Induction; D012878:Skin Neoplasms / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000821:virology*
D001215:Asparaginase