Clinical and Pathologic features of North American/Caribbean Adult T-cell leukemia/lymphoma (ATLL), the Brooklyn, NY experience

Adult T-cell leukemia/lymphoma (ATLL) is a rare, highly aggressive, malignancy caused by human virus type 1(HTLV-1) infection.1 It estimated that there are at least 5-10 million HTLV-1 carriers worldwide. Most of the infection thought to be acquired from mother-to-child transmission through breastfeeding. Sexual and blood transfusion other means infection. Only small number (2-5%) infected patients develop ATLL, usually after long latency period (30-50 years infection), suggesting additional genetic epigenetic events required for cells transform ATLL. 2-3ATLL endemic in certain regions where prevalent, including southwestern Japan, Caribbean basin, areas South America tropical Africa.4 ATLL rare North majority immigrants rarely, US-born African Americans. Studies have shown prevalent black, predominantly population central Brooklyn, NY this community. 5-7 Here we review clinical pathologic features present our findings cohort NY. Our data suggest not only clinically but also molecularly distinct Japanese Epigenetically targeted therapy may potential effective adjunct treatment