title: Angioimmunoblastic T-cell lymphoma.
abstract: Angioimmunoblastic T-cell lymphoma (AITL) is a rare and aggressive neoplasm clinically characterized by sudden onset of constitutional symptoms, lymphadenopathy, hepatosplenomegaly, frequent autoimmune phenomena, particularly hemolytic anemia and thrombocytopenia, and polyclonal hypergammaglobulinemia. The lymph node histological picture is also distinctive, constituted by a polymorphic infiltrate, a marked proliferation of high endothelial venules, and a dense meshwork of dentritic cells. The neoplastic CD4+ T-cells represent a minority of the lymph node cell population; its detection is facilitated by the aberrant expression of CD10. Almost all cases arbor an EBV infected B-cell population. Patients with AITL have a poor prognosis with conventional treatment, with a median overall survival of less than 3 years. Patients achieving a good clinical response seem beneficiate from a consolidation with high-dose therapy and autologous stem cell transplantation. Constitutional symptoms and autoimmune phenomena, and some times also the neoplastic masses may respond to immunosuppressive or immunomodulatory agents such as thalidomide.
authors.affiliation: Division of Hematology, High Dose Therapy Unit, Policlinico Paolo Giaccone, Palermo, Italy.
authors.forename: Emilio
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Iannitto
authors.forename: Andrés J M
authors.initials: AJ
authors.lastname: Ferreri
authors.forename: Viviana
authors.initials: V
authors.lastname: Minardi
authors.forename: Claudio
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Tripodo
authors.forename: Hans H
authors.initials: HH
authors.lastname: Kreipe
mesh_terms: D001402:B-Lymphocytes / Q000378:metabolism / Q000473:pathology / Q000821:virology; D015496:CD4-Positive T-Lymphocytes / Q000378:metabolism / Q000473:pathology; D049109:Cell Proliferation; D003713:Dendritic Cells / Q000378:metabolism / Q000473:pathology; D020031:Epstein-Barr Virus Infections / Q000378:metabolism / Q000401:mortality / Q000473:pathology / Q000628:therapy; D005260:Female; D004854:Herpesvirus 4, Human; D006801:Humans; D007166:Immunosuppressive Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D008198:Lymph Nodes / Q000378:metabolism / Q000473:pathology; D016399:Lymphoma, T-Cell / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000378:metabolism / Q000401:mortality / Q000473:pathology; D008297:Male; D015260:Neprilysin / Q000378:metabolism; D033581:Stem Cell Transplantation; D015996:Survival Rate; D013792:Thalidomide / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D014182:Transplantation, Autologous
chemical_list: D007166:Immunosuppressive Agents; D013792:Thalidomide; D015260:Neprilysin