pci-32765 and Meningeal-Carcinomatosis

Bing-Neel syndrome (BNS) is characterised by infiltration of the central nervous system by lymphoplasmacytic lymphoma (LPL) cells and is traditionally regarded as a complication of pre-existing systemic Waldenström's macroglobulinaemia (WM). We describe the case of a 49 year old woman with leptomeningeal LPL who did not fulfil diagnostic criteria for concomitant systemic WM at presentation, and who failed to respond to conventional chemotherapy treatment (including high dose methotrexate) but did respond to the oral Bruton tyrosine kinase (BTK) inhibitor ibrutinib. This highlights an important variation in the typical natural history of this rare disease and also further supplements emerging evidence regarding efficacy of ibrutinib in its treatment.

Topics: Adenine; Female; Humans; Lymphoma; Meningeal Carcinomatosis; Middle Aged; Piperidines; Pyrazoles; Pyrimidines; Syndrome

Leptomeningeal disease is a rare complication of chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL). We report a case of leptomeningeal disease in CLL with a complete clinical response and clearance of cerebral spinal fluid (CSF) after treatment with ibrutinib and intrathecal rituximab. In a comprehensive review of the published literature since 1976, we found 136 cases of CLL with leptomeningeal spread. We found that leptomeningeal disease in patients with CLL responds favorably to treatment in most cases and is associated with longer overall survival than is expected for other cancers. Clearance of CSF is associated with improved survival. Treatment with rituximab and ibrutinib is more frequently associated with complete response compared with older agents. IMPLICATIONS FOR PRACTICE: The incidence of leptomeningeal CLL is more common than previously described and can be recognized by attention to certain symptoms and signs. This case presentation and literature review reveals that, in many cases, leptomeningeal lymphomatosis is reversible with the use of rituximab and ibrutinib. The authors show a survival benefit associated with treating to cerebral spinal fluid (CSF) clearance by cytology and compare outcomes with various treatment strategies, focusing on novel agents. Now that there is effective therapy for leptomeningeal lymphoma in CLL, the importance for oncologists to recognize this neurologic complication has become clear.

Topics: Adenine; Antineoplastic Combined Chemotherapy Protocols; Humans; Leukemia, Lymphocytic, Chronic, B-Cell; Male; Meningeal Carcinomatosis; Middle Aged; Piperidines; Pyrazoles; Pyrimidines; Remission Induction; Rituximab