Lymphopenia as a prognostic factor in patients with peripheral T-cell lymphoma, unspecified

Abstract

Peripheral T-cell lymphoma, unspecified (PTCLU) is the most common T-cell lymphoma variant. The molecular heterogeneity of PTCLU is reflected by a diverse clinical course. Several prognostic factors have been studied, but further refinement is needed. The aim of our study was to retrospectively evaluate the presence of lymphopenia, defined as a lymphocyte count of <1000 cells/mm³, as a prognostic factor for survival in patients with PTCLU. Sixty-nine cases with a pathological diagnosis of PTCLU were included in our analysis. Lymphopenia was seen in 38% of the patients and was statistically associated with a worse response to chemotherapy. In univariate analysis, lymphopenia, IPI score >2, and Prognostic Index for PTCLU (PIT) score >2 were associated with a worse overall survival. In multivariate analysis, lymphopenia and a PIT score >2 were the only independent poor prognostic factors, implying an important role of the patient's immune system in both response to therapy and survival.

Keywords:

• Peripheral T-cell lymphoma
• unspecified
• PTCLU
• lymphopenia
• prognostic factors

Acknowledgements

Preliminary results of this study were presented at the 51st American Society of Hematology Annual Meeting in New Orleans, Louisiana, 5–8 December 2009.

Declaration of interest: The authors report no conflicts of interest. The authors alone are responsible for the content and writing of the paper.