Methotrexate-associated B-cell lymphoproliferative disorders presenting in the skin: A clinicopathologic and immunophenotypical study of 10 cases

Am J Surg Pathol. 2014 Jul;38(7):999-1006. doi: 10.1097/PAS.0000000000000225.

Abstract

Methotrexate (MTX)-associated B-cell lymphoproliferative disorders (B-LPD) may first present in the skin, but their clinicopathologic features are still ill defined. Differentiation from primary cutaneous follicle center lymphoma and primary cutaneous diffuse large B-cell lymphoma, leg type (PCLBCL-LT) is important, as MTX-associated B-LPD may show spontaneous regression after withdrawal of MTX therapy. In the present study, the clinicopathologic and phenotypical features of 10 patients with MTX-associated B-LPD first presenting in the skin, including 5 EBV(+) and 5 EBV(-) cases, were investigated. Six patients had skin-limited disease. Clinically, abrogation of MTX therapy resulted in a complete response in 4 cases and a partial response in another 2. The 5-year disease-specific survival was 90%. MTX-associated B-LPD differed from primary cutaneous follicle center lymphoma by the presence of ulcerating and/or generalized skin lesions, an infiltrate composed of centroblasts/immunoblasts rather than large centrocytes, reduced staining for CD79a, and expression of BCL2, IRF4, and FOXP1 in most cases. EBV(+) MTX-associated B-LPD differed from PCLBCL-LT by the presence ulcerative skin lesions, marked tumor cell polymorphism, reduced staining for CD79a, and expression of CD30 and EBV. EBV(-) cases showed morphologic and immunophenotypical similarities to PCLBCL-LT but differed by presentation with generalized skin lesions in 4 of 5 cases. The results of this study, showing a relatively good clinical outcome and spontaneous disease regression after only withdrawal of MTX in a considerable proportion of patients, underscores the importance of a careful wait-and-see policy before considering more aggressive therapies in patients with MTX-associated B-LPD of the skin.

MeSH terms

  • Aged
  • Aged, 80 and over
  • B-Lymphocytes / drug effects*
  • B-Lymphocytes / immunology
  • B-Lymphocytes / pathology
  • B-Lymphocytes / virology
  • Biomarkers, Tumor / analysis
  • Cell Proliferation / drug effects*
  • DNA, Viral / isolation & purification
  • Diagnosis, Differential
  • Epstein-Barr Virus Infections / chemically induced*
  • Epstein-Barr Virus Infections / immunology
  • Epstein-Barr Virus Infections / pathology
  • Epstein-Barr Virus Infections / virology
  • Female
  • Herpesvirus 4, Human / genetics
  • Herpesvirus 4, Human / isolation & purification
  • Humans
  • Immunohistochemistry
  • Immunophenotyping
  • Immunosuppressive Agents / adverse effects*
  • Lymphoma, B-Cell / chemically induced*
  • Lymphoma, B-Cell / immunology
  • Lymphoma, B-Cell / pathology
  • Lymphoma, B-Cell / virology
  • Male
  • Methotrexate / adverse effects*
  • Middle Aged
  • Phenotype
  • Predictive Value of Tests
  • Risk Factors
  • Skin / drug effects*
  • Skin / immunology
  • Skin / pathology
  • Skin / virology
  • Skin Neoplasms / chemically induced*
  • Skin Neoplasms / immunology
  • Skin Neoplasms / pathology
  • Skin Neoplasms / virology
  • Time Factors

Substances

  • Biomarkers, Tumor
  • DNA, Viral
  • Immunosuppressive Agents
  • Methotrexate