Use of PEG-asparaginase in monomorphic epitheliotropic intestinal T-cell lymphoma, a disease with diagnostic and therapeutic challenges

Abstract

Monomorphic epitheliotropic intestinal T-cell lymphoma (MEITL), previously known as enteropathy associated T-cell lymphoma (EATL) type II, is a rare haematological malignancy with a difficult and delayed diagnosis. Symptoms can include abdominal pain, weight loss, and chronic diarrhoea. However, most patients are only diagnosed after complications, such as perforation or obstruction, have developed. There is no standard treatment for MEITL; most accepted regimens consist of surgical resection and anthracycline-based chemotherapy. Prognosis is poor with an approximate survival of less than a year. Even though other therapies, such as autologous stem cell transplant, has shown promising results, not all patients can tolerate this course of treatment especially if they are elderly, have several comorbidities or are malnourished. Innovative therapies that improve survival and can be used as an alternative for more intensive treatment are needed. We report the use of PEG-asparaginase along with conventional anthracycline therapy in a 70-year-old woman diagnosed with MEITL, who went into remission and survived for more than one year before succumbing to relapsed disease.