Limitations of HLH-2004 criteria in distinguishing malignancy-associated hemophagocytic lymphohistiocytosis

Arun Gurunathan, Alexander A. Boucher, Melissa Mark, Kristina M. Prus, Maureen M. O'Brien, Erin H. Breese, Benjamin E. Mizukawa, Michael J. Absalon, Adam S. Nelson, Michael B. Jordan, Michael S. Grimley, Robert B. Lorsbach, Seth J. Rotz, Reema Mathanda, Ashish R. Kumar

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

27 Scopus citations

Abstract

Hemophagocytic lymphohistiocytosis (HLH) is characterized by dysregulated immune activation. Primary HLH involves hereditary deficits in cytotoxic lymphocytes while secondary HLH is triggered by extrinsic factors. The HLH-2004 criteria are widely used for clinical diagnosis, yet their specificity for HLH or their ability to differentiate primary from secondary disease is unclear, potentially leading to inappropriate treatment. We describe several cases where fulfillment of HLH-2004 criteria obscured the diagnoses of underlying malignancies and delayed curative management. These issues are remedied without waiting for genetic testing results through an alternative diagnostic approach using flow cytometry–based immunologic assays and a thorough investigation for malignancy.

Original languageEnglish (US)
Article numbere27400
JournalPediatric Blood and Cancer
Volume65
Issue number12
DOIs
StatePublished - Dec 2018
Externally publishedYes

Bibliographical note

Publisher Copyright:
© 2018 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.

Keywords

  • diagnostic approach
  • hemophagocytic lymphohistiocytosis
  • oncology

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