Hemophagocytic lymphohistiocytosis after hematopoietic stem cell transplantation in children: A nationwide survey in Japan

Takeshi Asano, Kazuhiro Kogawa, Akira Morimoto, Yasushi Ishida, Nobuhiro Suzuki, Shouichi Ohga, Kazuko Kudo, Shigeru Ohta, Hiroshi Wakiguchi, Ken Tabuchi, Shunichi Kato, Eiichi Ishii

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

28 Citations (Scopus)

Abstract

Background: Hemophagocytic lymphohistiocytosis (HLH) is associated with hypercytokinemia in children. Although HLH can be also observed after hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (HSCT), the incidence and clinical features of HLH after HSCT remain obscure. Procedure: The clinical features of HLH after HSCT (post-HSCT HLH) were investigated in children with malignancies, immune deficiencies, or aplastic anemia. The HLH/Langerhans Cell Histiocytosis (LCH) Committee of the Japanese Society of Pediatric Hematology (JSPH) sent questionnaires to hospitals with JPSH members asking for details of cases in which HLH occurred after HSCT between 1998 and 2008. Results: Among 42 children who were diagnosed with post-HSCT HLH between 1998 and 2008 in Japan, 37 fulfilled our inclusion criteria; of these, 26 were classified as early-onset (onset <30 days after HSCT) and 11 were classified as late-onset (onset >30 days after HSCT). In the early-onset group, the presence of respiratory symptoms, high levels of total bilirubin, and triglycerides at onset and the lack of control of GVHD with tacrolimus were significantly associated with non-resolution of HLH (P<0.05). The survival rate was significantly higher in patients with resolution of HLH than in those without resolution (59% vs. 14%, P<0.05). Conclusions: These findings suggest that early-onset post-HSCT HLH is a specific entity of HLH, and appropriate diagnosis and prompt management need to be established.

Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)110-114
Number of pages5
JournalPediatric Blood and Cancer
Volume59
Issue number1
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - 15-07-2012
Externally publishedYes

All Science Journal Classification (ASJC) codes

  • Pediatrics, Perinatology, and Child Health
  • Hematology
  • Oncology

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