Diagnosis and treatment of haemophagocytic lymphohistiocytosis
Authors:
J. Starý
Authors‘ workplace:
Klinika dětské hematologie a onkologie 2. LF UK a FN Motol, Praha
Published in:
Transfuze Hematol. dnes,30, 2024, No. 3, p. 143-150.
Category:
Review/Educational Papers
doi:
https://doi.org/10.48095/cctahd2024prolekare.cz12
Overview
Haemophagocytic lymphohistiocytosis (HLH) is a hyperinflammatory syndrome induced by excessive activation of lymphocytes and macrophages producing a cytokine storm. The result may be life-threatening organ damage. HLH develops in patients with genetic abnormalities, haematological malignancies, chronic inflammatory conditions, or infections. The most frequent clinical and laboratory features are fever, cytopenia, splenomegaly, hyperferritinemia, and transaminitis. Early identification of a HLH trigger, such as malignancy or viral infection, is crucial for improving patient outcomes. Treatment has to be frequently started before the diagnosis of a predisposing condition. The treatment of first choice in such situations may involve the combination of corticosteroids and anakinra. Patients with primary HLH require intensive therapy consisting of corticosteroids and etoposide followed by allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell transplantation.
Keywords:
diagnosis – therapy – primary haemophagocytic lymphohistiocytosis – secondary haemophagocytic lymphohistiocytosis
Sources
Labels
Haematology Internal medicine Clinical oncologyArticle was published in
Transfusion and Haematology Today
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