Hemophagocytic Lymphohistiocytosis

Hemophagocytic lymphohistiocytosis (HLH) is an immune-mediated disorder characterized by hyperactivation of the immune system, leading to a cytokine storm responsible for organ failures. Consequently, patients with HLH often require intensive care management, where their short-term prognosis is compromised (1-month mortality: 30 to 40%). Therapeutic management is urgent and consists in treating associated pathologies and employing immunomodulatory therapy. Currently, there are no clear and consistent recommendations for guiding immunomodulatory treatment in HLH due to the lack of high-level evidence studies. Experts recommend corticosteroid therapy for mild forms, whereas etoposide is proposed for severe cases, especially those with organ failures. However, in clinical practice, its use in patients with multi-organ failure is not systematic due to concerns about potential severe side effects and uncertainty regarding the contribution of severe sepsis to the clinical and biological presentation. Consequently, initiation of etoposide is sometimes delayed. Our hypothesis is that early treatment of severe HLH associated with organ failure using etoposide could reduce organ failures associated with this syndrome. Therefore, we aim to compare two strategies for initiating etoposide in severe HLH in intensive care: an early strategy where etoposide is prescribed at the onset of HLH-related organ failure, and a delayed strategy where etoposide is prescribed only if there is unfavorable progression (or lack of improvement) after treating associated pathologies, associated with corticosteroid therapy.

For patients who met the inclusion criteria, treatment regimens were administered: Rituximab 375 mg/m², intravenously, once weekly for 4 weeks. Zanubrutinib 160 mg, orally, twice daily for 4 weeks. Combined drugs: prednisone 100 mg/m²/d, orally, d1-5; Ruxolitinib 15mg bid orally; With/without emapalumab as appropriate.

CoRDS, or the Coordination of Rare Diseases at Sanford, is based at Sanford Research in Sioux Falls, South Dakota. It provides researchers with a centralized, international patient registry for all rare diseases. This program allows patients and researchers to connect as easily as possible to help advance treatments and cures for rare diseases. The CoRDS team works with patient advocacy groups, individuals and researchers to help in the advancement of research in over 7,000 rare diseases. The registry is free for patients to enroll and researchers to access. Visit sanfordresearch.org/CoRDS to enroll.

EBV-HLH is a rare disease with high mortality, especially for those with intestinal involvement. In order to reduce disease burden and improve survival of these patients, we conduct a prospective observational study to explore the efficacy and safety of segmental resection combined with the DEP regimen.

The efficacy and safety of L-DEP (PEG-aspargase, liposomal doxorubicin, etoposide, and methylprednisolone) regimen combined with PD-1 Antibody an induction therapy for Epstein-Barr virus (EBV)-positive lymphoma-associated hemophagocytic lymphohistiocytosis.