Hepatosplenic T cell lymphoma associated with infliximab use in young patients treated for inflammatory bowel disease

J Pediatr Gastroenterol Nutr. 2007 Feb;44(2):265-7. doi: 10.1097/MPG.0b013e31802f6424.

Abstract

Hepatosplenic T cell lymphoma (HSTCL) are rare cancers ( approximately 100 published cases worldwide) and comprise 5% of peripheral T cell lymphomas. As of October 5, 2006, the FDA's Adverse Event Reporting System has received 8 cases of HSTCL in young patients using infliximab, a tumor necrosis factor-alpha blocking agent, to treat inflammatory bowel disease (6 of the 8 cases had a fatal outcome). All 8 patients were receiving concomitant immunosuppressant therapy (eg, azathioprine, prednisone). It has not been established that infliximab had an exclusive or primary role in the pathogenesis of these HSTCL cases; however, it appears that patients using this product may be at greater risk for developing this rare lymphoma.

MeSH terms

  • Adolescent
  • Adult
  • Antibodies, Monoclonal / adverse effects*
  • Child
  • Female
  • Gastrointestinal Agents / adverse effects*
  • Humans
  • Immunosuppressive Agents / therapeutic use
  • Inflammatory Bowel Diseases / drug therapy*
  • Infliximab
  • Liver Neoplasms / chemically induced*
  • Lymphoma, T-Cell / chemically induced*
  • Male
  • Splenic Neoplasms / chemically induced*

Substances

  • Antibodies, Monoclonal
  • Gastrointestinal Agents
  • Immunosuppressive Agents
  • Infliximab