Extra Nodal NK/T-Cell Lymphoma Nasal Type: Efficacy of Pegaspargase Report of Two Patients from the United Sates and Review of Literature

• Published in: Leukemia research Vol. 34; no. 1; p. e50
• Main Authors: Reyes, Vincent Edgar, Al-Saleem, Tahseen, Robu, Valentin G., Smith, Mitchell R.
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: 27.09.2009
• ISSN: 0145-2126; 1873-5835
• DOI: 10.1016/j.leukres.2009.09.002

Extranodal NK/T cell lymphoma nasal type is an EBV driven non-Hodgkin lymphoma, rare in the United States, with no known satisfactory treatment. Two patients with this entity refractory to CHOP chemotherapy responded to single agent pegaspargase (pegylated L-asparaginase). A 64-year-old Caucasian woman presented with extranodal NK/T lymphoma nasal type on her left buttocks. After initial treatment with loco-regional irradiation and CHOP, she developed extensive lower extremity lesions, and subsequent paranasal sinus involvement. With pegaspargase, she had a dramatic improvement of her skin lesions and proceeded to autologous stem cell transplant. A 48 year old Asian man presented with nasal cavity extranodal NK/T lymphoma which resolved with radiation therapy. Multiple liver lesions which developed while receiving CHOP completely resolved on pegaspargase. L- Asparaginase and its pegylated form have activity in this disease and further exploration alone or in combination is warranted.