A transient benign lymph node-based proliferation of T-cells simulating non-Hodgkin lymphoma in a patient with psoriasis treated with tumor necrosis factor alpha and CD11a antagonists.
BACKGROUND
Therapeutic biologic agents are uncommonly associated with lymphoma.


METHODS
We report a patient with psoriasis treated with the biologic agents efalizumab (Raptiva) and etanercept (Enbrel), who developed painless lymphadenopathy with peripheral lymphocytosis during treatment, simulating a non-Hodgkin lymphoma clinically and pathologically. Lymphocytosis and lymphadenopathy spontaneously remitted following cessation of etanercept therapy and have not recurred.


CONCLUSIONS
Distinction between clinically benign lymphoid proliferations related to anti-psoriasis therapy and malignant lymphoma avoids the unnecessary use of anti-lymphoma chemotherapy.
Hurley
M Yadira
MY
Department of Dermatology, Saint Louis University School of Medicine, St Louis, MO, USA. yadirahr@yahoo.com
George
Mary Noel
MN
Leonardi
Craig L
CL
Frater
John L
JL