Failure of front-line autologous transplant in anaplastic lymphoma kinase-positive diffuse large B-cell lymphoma.

摘要

Anaplastic lymphoma kinase (ALK)-positive diffuse large B-cell lymphoma (DLBCL) is an uncommon clinicopatho-logical entity first described in 1997, although the actual incidence may be significantly underestimated because of the potential for confusion with plasmablastic lymphoma or poorly differentiated carcinoma. The optimal therapy for advanced disease is not known for this aggressive subset of DLBCL. In this study we describe the challenges in the diagnosis and treatment of a patient we recently treated for ALK-positive DLBCL. Front-line autologous hematopoie-tic SCT with chemosensitive disease was inadequate for disease control, highlighting the very aggressive nature and poor prognosis of this subset of DLBCL.