Methotrexate-related lymphoproliferative disorders in the liver: Case presentation and mini-review

Abstract

BACKGROUND

Immunosuppression is effective in treating a number of diseases, but adverse effects such as bone marrow suppression, infection, and oncogenesis are of concern. Methotrexate is a key immunosuppressant used to treat rheumatoid arthritis. Although it is effective for many patients, various side effects have been reported, one of the most serious being methotrexate-related lymphoproliferative disorder. While this may occur in various organs, liver involvement is rare. Information on these liver lesions, including clinical characteristics, course, and imaging studies, has not been summarized to date.

CASE SUMMARY

We present a case of 70-year-old woman presented with a 2-wk history of fever and abdominal pain. She had had rheumatoid arthritis for 5 years and was being treated with medication including methotrexate. Contrast-enhanced computed tomography revealed multiple low density tumors in the liver and the histological analyses showed significant proliferation of lymphocytes in masses that were positive on immunohistochemical staining for CD3, CD4, CD8, and CD79a but negative for CD20 and CD56. Staining for Epstein-Barr virus-encoded RNA was negative. And based on these findings, the liver tumors were diagnosed as Methotrexate-related lymphoproliferative disorders. A time-dependent disappearance of the liver tumors after stopping methotrexate supported the diagnoses.

CONCLUSION

The information obtained from our case and a review of 9 additional cases reported thus far assist physicians who may face the challenge of diagnosing and managing this disorder.

Key Words: Arthritis; Rheumatoid; Methotrexate; Malignant lymphoma; Case report

Core tip: Methotrexate-related lymphoproliferative disorder is a severe adverse event of immunosuppression in the treatment of rheumatoid arthritis. Even if the methotrexate is discontinued leading to resolution of the side effect, the disorder may recur. Decisions based on the patient’s disease status in regard to stopping or continuing administration of methotrexate are challenging. Methotrexate-related lymphoproliferative disorder has rarely caused tumors in the liver. Therefore, little information has been reported on clinical findings, imaging characteristics, and treatment of this entity. To promote early diagnosis and appropriate treatment, we report a new case with multiple imaging studies and summarized previously reported cases.

INTRODUCTION

Methotrexate (MTX) is a key drug used in the management of rheumatoid arthritis (RA)[1]. Although it is an effective treatment, it has also been noted to cause the severe adverse effect of MTX-related lymphoproliferative disorder (MTX-LPD)[2]. This condition is categorized as an iatrogenic immunodeficiency-related proliferative disease according to the World Health Organization (WHO)’s fourth edition of tissue classification of lymphoid tumors in 2008[3]. Reported MTX-LPD pathology patterns include monoclonal expansion of B cells leading to diffuse large B-cell lymphoma, Hodgkin lymphoma, and polyclonal expansion of T and B cells[4]. Although a possible contribution of Epstein-Barr virus (EBV) infection was reported in a case of B-cell MTX-LPD[5,6], it is unclear if the virus had a causative role. Currently, the therapeutic options for MTX-LPD include discontinuing MTX, which had led to improvement in 30% of all cases[7,8] and chemotherapy for lymphoma based on the proliferating cell type. To date, only 9 cases of MTX-LPD producing a tumor in the liver have been reported[9-17]. In this article, we report another case and then summarize all 10 cases, reviewing the clinical findings, imaging characteristics, response to therapy, and outcome. Imaging showed small, low density masses on computed tomography (CT); low signal intensity in T1 images and high signal intensity in T2 and diffusion images on magnetic resonance imaging (MRI); high uptake on positron emission tomography; and a hypoechoic ultrasound (US) appearance. Most cases had poor or only mild enhancement on CT, MRI, or US. These results suggest imaging findings similar to those seen in hepatic lymphoma. Particular modalities to detect the tumor and assess hypovascularity might thus be useful. However, differentiating this entity from other liver tumors is difficult, so histologic diagnosis is essential. The infor-mation summarized here from the 10 reported cases will be of help to physicians in managing patients taking MTX who are found to have liver tumors. It may alert them to consider the possibility of MTX-LPD.

CASE PRESENTATION

Chief complaints and history of present illness

A 70-year-old woman presented with a 2-wk history of fever and abdominal pain.

History of past illness

She had had RA for 5 years and was being treated with MTX (8 mg/wk), pred-nisolone (5 mg/d), and golimumab (50 mg/mo).

Personal and family history

No remarkable personal and family histories were marked.

Physical examination upon admission

On physical examination of the abdomen, there was mild right upper quadrant tenderness.

Laboratory examinations

Laboratory examination showed evidence of inflammation with peripheral leukocytosis (13900/µL); CRP (18.7 mg/dL); LDH (2844 IU/L); elevated levels of hepatobiliary enzymes with AST (316 IU/L), ALT (370 IU/L), ALP (2006 IU/L), and γ-GTP (1300 IU/L); T-Bil (2.51 mg/dL); and sIL-2R (2120 IU/mL). Levels of other tumor markers—CEA (1.5 ng/mL), CA19-9 (4.0 U/mL), AFP (2.0 ng/mL), and PIVKA-II (16 mAU/mL) were within normal limits (Table 1).

Table 1 Laboratory data on admission of a patient with methotrexate-associated lymphoproliferative liver tumors.

Item	Data	Item	Data	Item	Data
White blood cells	13900 /μL	Total protein	7.1 g/dL	Sodium	134 mEq/L
Neutrophils	82.9%	Albumin	3.6 g/dL	Potassium	4.3 mEq/L
Lymphocytes	8.6%	AST	316 IU/L	Chloride	97 mEq/L
Monocytes	8.4%	ALT	370 IU/L	CRP	18.74 mg/dL
Eosinophils	0%	ALP	2006 IU/L	CEA	1.5 ng/mL
Basophils	0.1%	LDH	2844 IU/L	CA19-9	4.0 U/mL
Red blood cells	389 × 104 /μL	γ-GTP	1300 IU/L	AFP	2.0 ng/mL
Hemoglobin	12.6 g/dL	T. Bil	2.51 mg/dL	PIVKA-II	16 mAU/mL
Platelet count	25.8 × 104 /μL	D. Bil	0.82 mg/dL	sIL2R	2120 U/mL
PT	84.7%	BUN	25.6 mg/dL
APTT	30.4 s	Creatinine	0.63 mg/dL

PT: Prothrombin time activity; APTT: Activated partial thromboplastin time; AST: Aspartate aminotransferase; ALT: Alanine aminotransferase; ALP: Alkaline phosphatase; γ-GTP: γ-glutamyltransferase; T. Bil: Total bilirubin; D. Bil: Direct bilirubin; BUN: Blood urea nitrogen; CRP: C-reactive protein; CEA: Carcinoembryonic antigen; CA19-9: Carbohydrate antigen 19-9; AFP: α-fetoprotein; PIVKA-II: Protein induced by vitamin K absence or antagonist II; sIL2R: Soluble interleukin-2 receptor.

Imaging and histological examinations

Contrast-enhanced CT revealed multiple low density tumors in the liver and spleen with no significant enhancement other than mild ring enhancement in the late phase (Figure 1). On MRI, the liver tumors had low signal intensity in T1-weighted images and high signal intensity in T2-weighted images. US revealed multiple hypoechoic tumors in the liver, and contrast-enhanced US (CEUS) revealed poor enhancement in the early phase followed by a hypoechoic pattern in the Kupffer phase. Given this clear view, CEUS-guided fine-needle biopsy of a liver tumor was performed for histologic analysis. Hematoxylin and eosin staining showed significant proliferation of lymphocytes in masses (Figure 2A) that were positive on immunohistochemical staining for CD3 (Figure 2B), CD4 (Figure 2C), CD8 (Figure 2D) and CD79a (Figure 2E) but negative for CD20 (Figure 2F) and CD56 (Figure 2G). Staining for EBV-encoded RNA was negative (Figure 2H).

Figure 1 Serial computed tomography of liver tumors in a patient with methotrexate-associated lymphoproliferative disorder. Before (A) and after discontinuation of methotrexate at (B) 2 wk; (C) 1 mo; and (D) 2 mo, at which point all liver tumors had disappeared.

Figure 2 Histology of liver tumors in a patient with methotrexate-associated lymphoproliferative disorder. HE staining (A, × 10) shows significant proliferation of lymphocytes in the liver, seen as masses that, on immunohistochemical staining; are positive for CD3 (B, × 20); CD4 (C, × 40); CD8 (D, × 40); and CD79a (E, × 20) but negative for CD20 (F, × 20) and CD56 (G, × 40). Staining for Epstein-Barr virus-encoded RNA (H, × 20) was negative.

FINAL DIAGNOSIS

Based on these findings above, the liver tumors were diagnosed as MTX-LPD, and MTX was discontinued.

TREATMENT

The patient’s abdominal pain resolved within a few days after that, and the WBC, AST, ALT, LDH, and sIL-2R returned to the normal range within 3 mo. CT images 2 wk (Figure 1B), 1 mo (Figure 1C), and 2 mo (Figure 1D) after stopping MTX showed time-dependent disappearance of the liver and splenic tumors. There has been no sign of recurrence for 2 years.

OUTCOME AND FOLLOW-UP

Based on this sequence of events, the diagnosis of MTX-LPD in the liver and the spleen is confirmed. The patient’s RA has since been managed mainly with prednisolone.

DISCUSSION

Currently, MTX is a key drug for treating RA, with approximately 70 million people using it worldwide[1]. Although it is effective, it has substantial possible side effects, including liver dysfunction, renal dysfunction, myelosuppression, infection, and interstitial pneumonia. The number of patients diagnosed with MTX-LPD has been increasing since its first report in 1991[2]. It is categorized as an iatrogenic immunodeficiency-related proliferative disease according to WHO’s fourth edition of tissue classification of lymphoid tumors in 2008[3]. There are 3 major types of MTX-LPD, malignant lymphoma, benign reactive hyperplasia, and cases intermediate between the two. Generally, the average age of patients is 67 (34–87) years, and the disease occurs in twice as many women as men. MTX-LPD reportedly occurs after about 5 years of treatment with the drug[4]. Although the pathology patterns vary, monoclonal expansion of B cells leading to diffuse large B-cell lymphoma is the most common type, accounting for 35% to 60% of all MTX-LPDs, followed by Hodgkin lymphoma in 12% to 25%, and mixed T and B-cell lesions[4]. The pathogenesis had not been clearly demonstrated to date, although a possible contribution of EBV infection was reported in a case of B-cell MTX-LPD[5]. Molecular mechanisms seen in other LPDs associated with EBV include the activation of growth factors, transcription factors, and apoptosis inhibitory factors leading to lymphoblastic changes in B cells and tumorigenesis[6]. Currently, MTX-LPD is treated by stopping the MTX, which leads to improvement in 30% of all cases[7] and when no response is seen, chemotherapy is begun. Careful follow-up is essential even resulted in a good response[4], as 50% of patients have been found to have recurrence of the MTX-LPD. MTX-LPD is further classified as regressive if the tumor disappears after discontinuing MTX, persistent if there is no response to stopping the MTX and administering chemotherapy, and other in cases where MTX had been administered previously but the LPD developed during treatment with other antirheumatic drugs. LDH, CRP, and sIL-2 are all markers of the malignant potential for LPD. These have reportedly been higher in patients with MTX-LPD classified as persistent or other rather than regressive[8].

MTX-LPD in the liver is quite rare, with only a few reported cases with clinical information available. This includes some cases where the disease entity is called MTX-related primary hepatic lymphoma (MTX-PHL). We have summarized 10 cases of MTX-LPD in the liver, including our own case along with 9 that were previously reported[9-17] (Table 2). Patients had a median age of 67.5 (56–76) years and included 3 men and 7 women. This ratio is similar to the ratio reported for all the cases of MTX-LPD. MTX had been given for 2 to 10 years. Symptoms at onset included abdominal pain (in 5 patients), fever (in 4), malaise (in 1), and anorexia (in 1). These are likely all attributable to the local progression of the disorder in the liver. Multiple lesions were present in 7 patients. On plain CT, the lesions appeared as low density areas. The tumors were hypovascular in contrast-enhanced CT images in 8 cases, while the other 2 had mild ring enhancement. On MRI, the lesions had low signal intensity in T1 images and high signal intensity in both T2 and diffusion images, just like the appearance in our case. The tumors had high uptake on positron emission to-mography, and they were hypoechoic on B-mode US. CEUS[18] revealed tumor hypovascularity in our patient. These imaging characteristics are similar to those seen in hepatic lymphoma, confirming the utility of hypovascularity in suggesting the diagnosis. However, histologic diagnosis is still essential. Tissue for histology was collected percutaneously in 7 cases and surgically in the other 3 (Table 2). There was proliferation of B cells in 6 cases, T cells in 1, T and B cells in 2, and Hodgkin lymphoma cells in 1. Based on the histologic analysis, cases 1 to 6 are considered to be MTX-PHL. Other than the patient with Hodgkin lymphoma, all others responded to treatment. These included response to discontinuation of MTX in 3, surgery and stopping of MTX in 3, and chemotherapy including R-CHOP and R-THP-COP in 3. No recurrence had been seen in these cases at the time they were reported (Table 2). Further analysis and follow-up is necessary to clarify the differences in the monoclonal cell proliferation pattern (MTX-PHL) and other cases of MTX-LPD in the liver. The characteristics of MTX-LPD (Table 3) and characteristic of the image of MTX-LPD in the liver (Table 4) have been summarized in Tables. As the MTX is effective to treat the posttransplant lymphoproliferative disorder which is generally associated with Epstein-Barr virus infection[19], further molecular analyses to clarify the mechanisms of carcinogenesis and the immunologic interactions in the conditions.

Table 2 Summary of 10 reported cases of methotrexate-associated lymphoproliferative liver tumors.

Ca-se	Ref.	Age	Sex	Sym-ptom	MTX peri-od (yr)	Num-ber of tu-mors	CT	MRI	PET	US	CE-US	Ti-ssue Colle-ction	Path-ology	Immunohisto-chemistry	Treat-ment	Re-spon-se	Re-currence	On-set pa-ttern	Prog-nosis
1	9	68	F	Ma-laise	8	Mul-tiple	Low den-sity hypovas-cular	N/A	N/A	Hypo-echoic	N/A	US-gui-ded	Hodg-kin lym-pho-ma	CD15+, CD20-, CD30+	Un-trea-ted	No re-spon-se	None	Persis-tent	Death
2	10	76	M	None	4.5	Single	Low den-sity hypovas-cular		N/A	Hypo-echoic	N/A	Sur-gery	B cell	CD10-, CD20+, CD79a+	Resec-tion, cessa-tion	Effec-tive	None	Re-gre-ssive	Alive (10 mo)
3	11	67	F	Abdo-minal pain, fever	6	Mul-tiple	Low den-sity hypovas-cular	N/A	High up-take	N/A	N/A	US-gui-ded	B cell	CD10-, CD20+, CD5-, EBER+	R-THP-COP	Effec-tive	None	Persis-tent	Alive (1 yr)
4	12	56	F	Weig-ht loss, fever	7	Mul-tiple	Iso den-sity hypovas-cular	N/A	High up-take	N/A	N/A	US-gui-ded	B cell	CD10+, CD20+, CD5-	R-CH-OP	Effec-tive	None	Persis-tent	Alive (6 mo)
5	13	64	M	Abdo-minal pain, fever	2	Mul-tiple	Low den-sity hypovas-cular	N/A	N/A	N/A	N/A	US-gui-ded	B cell	CD10+, CD79a+, CD20+; Bcl-2-, CD3-, EBER-	R-CH-OP	Effec-tive	None	Persis-tent	Alive (2 yr)
6	14	65	F	None	7	Single	Low den-sity mild enhance-ment	T1: low, T2: high, diffu-sion: high	N/A	Hypo-echoic	N/A	Sur-gery	B cell	CD10-, CD15-, CD20+, CD30+, CD79a+, EBER+	Resec-tion, cessa-tion	Effec-tive	None	Re-gre-ssive	Alive (1 yr)
7	15	70	F	Abdo-minal pain	10	Single	Low den-sity hypovas-cular	T1: low, T2: high, diffu-sion: high	N/A	N/A	N/A	Surgery	T cell	CD10-, CD20-, CD79a-, CD3+, CD45RO+, CD5+, bcl-2-, EBER-	Resec-tion, cessa-tion	Effec-tive	None	Re-gre-ssive	Alive (1 yr)
8	16	76	F	Ano-rexia	9	Mul-tiple	Low den-sity	N/A	N/A	N/A	N/A	US-gui-ded	T and B cell	N/A	Cessa-tion	Effec-tive	None	Re-gre-ssive	Alive (N/A)
9	17	63	M	Abdo-minal pain	10	Mul-tiple	Low den-sity	N/A	High up-take	Hypo-echoic	Hypovas-cular	US-gui-ded	B cell	N/A	Cessa-tion	Effec-tive	None	Re-gre-ssive	Alive (7 mo)
10	Our case	70	F	Abdo-minal pain, fever	5	Mul-tiple	Low den-sity hypovas-cular	T1: low, T2: high	N/A	Hypo-echoic	Hypovas-cular	US-gui-ded	T and B cell	CD3+, CD4+, CD8+, CD56-, CD20-, CD79a+, EBER-	Cessa-tion	Effec-tive	None	Re-gre-ssive	Alive (2 yr)

N/A: Information not applicable; CD: Cluster of differentiation; EBER: Epstein-Barr virus-encoded small RNA; R-THP-COP: Rituximab–Pirarubicin-Cyclophosphamide–Oncovin-Prednisolone; R-CHOP: Rituximab–Cyclophosphamide–Doxorubicin Hydrochloride–Oncovin-Prednisolone.

Table 3 Characteristic of methotrexate related lymphoproliferative disorder.

Characteristic of MTX-LPD
Potential association of EB virus
Treatment includes stopping the MTX and administering chemotherapy or performing surgery in some cases
By stopping MTX, about 30% of cases show improvement within a month
Chemotherapy includes R-CHP, R-THP-COP, etc. depending on the histological pattern

MTX-LPD: Methotrexate related lymphoproliferative disorder; EB: Epstein-Barr.

Table 4 Characteristic of the image of methotrexate related lymphoproliferative disorder in the liver.

Characteristic of the image of MTX-LPD in the liver
CT: Low density, poor enhancement effect
MRI: Low signal intensity in T1-weighted image
High signal intensity in T2-weighted image
US: Low echoic pattern
CE-US: Poor enhancement, low echoic area in the Kupffer phase

MTX-LPD: Methotrexate related lymphoproliferative disorder; CT: Computed tomography; MRI: Magnetic resonance imaging; US: Ultrasound; CE-US: Contrast-enhanced ultrasound.

CONCLUSION

As a key drug used to treat RA, MTX has been very effective, but proper diagnosis and management of adverse events associated with it are essential. We have reported a rare case of MTX-LPD in the liver and spleen and summarized the clinical information of the 9 other cases reported to date. Although imaging modalities are useful in suggesting the diagnosis, histologic analysis is required to confirm it. Treatment includes stopping the MTX and administering chemotherapy or performing surgery in some cases. The information summarized here will help physicians who are assessing liver tumors in patients treated with MTX and will alert them to considering a diagnosis of MTX-LPD.