Prognostic factors in angioimmunoblastic lymphadenopathy.

In order to identify prognostic factors in angioimmunoblastic lymphadenopathy (AIL), 30 directly diagnosed patients were prospectively followed for more than 42 months. Age and sex distribution, clinical and laboratory findings and evolution were not different from previously reported series. Median duration of survival was 24 months. Parameters associated with a longer survival in our series were localized adenopathies (P = 0.01) and the achievement of a remission (P less than 0.0001). Features associated with a shorter survival included drug exposure in relation to the onset of the disease (P = 0.02), rash (P less than 0.0001), lymph node eosinophilia (P = 0.03) and elevated serum lactic dehydrogenase (P = 0.03). Drug exposure and rash were, however, significantly dependent (P = 0.02). In addition, lymphopenia, the presence of circulating immune complexes, and the absence of polyclonal hypergammaglobulinemia may indicate a poor prognosis, although the significance level is not achieved in this short series. None of the parameters tested was significantly related to the lymphomatous transformation of AIL, which occurred in four cases. It is concluded that multicentric prospective studies of AIL are necessary in order to better define this disorder, to find prognostic factors, and to optimize therapy.