Vol.:(0123456789)
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International Journal of Hematology (2018) 107:413–419
https://doi.org/10.1007/s12185-018-2406-6
PROGRESS IN HEMATOLOGY
Novel ndings from the Asian Lymphoma Study Group: focus on T
and NK‑cell lymphomas
Jason Yongsheng Chan
1,2,4
· Soon Thye Lim
1,3,4
Received: 4 December 2017 / Revised: 16 January 2018 / Accepted: 22 January 2018 / Published online: 29 January 2018
© The Japanese Society of Hematology 2018
Abstract
T and NK-cell lymphomas are aggressive neoplasms with a unique epidemiological distribution, demonstrating higher
prevalence in Asian countries compared to the West. Through the efforts of international collaboration, significant progress
has been made especially on the biological understanding and clinical management of rare lymphoma subtypes including
NK/T-cell lymphomas and monomorphic epitheliotropic intestinal T-cell lymphoma. In this review, we summarize the current
status of lymphoma research conducted by the Asian Lymphoma Study Group and highlight key updates on the advancement
of T and NK-cell lymphoma research.
Keywords JAK-STAT pathway · NK/T-cell lymphoma · Enteropathy-associated T-cell lymphoma · Epstein–Barr virus
Abbreviations
NKTCL NK/T-cell lymphoma
MEITL Monomorphic epitheliotropic intestinal T-cell
lymphoma
ALSG Asian Lymphoma Study Group
ICGC International Cancer Genomic Consortium
Introduction
The epidemiology of non-Hodgkin lymphoma exhibits
a unique geographic diversity, with a high prevalence of
T-cell and NK/T-cell lymphomas in Asian countries com-
pared to the West [1, 2]. Over the past decade, significant
progress has been made in the clinical management of non-
Hodgkin lymphoma in Asia. On the research front, the Asian
Lymphoma Study Group (ALSG) brings together centers
across East Asia to collaborate on studies on Asia-centric
lymphoma, with participating members from Japan, South
Korea, China, Taiwan, Singapore, Malaysia, Indonesia and
Thailand. To date, the ALSG has published several impor-
tant research findings across different lymphoma subtypes,
including landmark discoveries on NK/T-cell lymphomas
(NKTCL) and monomorphic epitheliotropic intestinal T-cell
lymphoma (MEITL) (Tables 1, 2). In addition, the Singapore
Lymphoma Study Group has been leading the whole genome
sequencing of T and NK-cell lymphomas in the International
Cancer Genomic Consortium (ICGC), illuminating major
pathways and fundamental biological mechanisms underly-
ing these diseases. In this review, we summarize the cur-
rent status of lymphoma studies conducted by the ALSG
and highlight key updates on the progress of T and NK-cell
lymphoma research.
Extranodal NK/T‑cell lymphoma
Introduction and clinical features
NKTCL is an aggressive Epstein–Barr virus (EBV)-asso-
ciated hematological malignancy, with a predilection for
extranodal involvement. Over the past years, the ALSG
has taken a keen interest in understanding the molecular
and clinical pathobiology of NKTCL. Epidemiologically,
Current status and progress of lymphoma research in East Asian countries
* Soon Thye Lim
lim.soon.thye@singhealth.com.sg
1
Division of Medical Oncology, National Cancer Centre
Singapore, Singapore, Singapore
2
Cancer Science Institute of Singapore, National University
of Singapore, Singapore, Singapore
3
Office of Education, Duke-NUS Medical School, Singapore,
Singapore
4
SingHealth Duke-NUS Blood Cancer Centre, Singapore,
Singapore
@Phil_Robichaud
@deepthiw
@JoseServera