Related Experiment Video
Updated: Aug 8, 2026

An Adoptive Transfer Model of Rheumatoid Arthritis in Mice
Published on: June 6, 2025
Atypical lymphoproliferation progressing into B-cell lymphoma in rheumatoid arthritis treated with different
Luca Quartuccio1, Valli De Re, Martina Fabris
1Rheumatology Clinic, DPMSC, University of Udine, Italy.
Abstract:
A patient with rheumatoid arthritis (RA) developed an atypical lymphoproliferative disorder (LPD) after methotrexate and cyclosporine A, which regressed after suspension of both drugs. After subsequent treatment with rituximab, the LPD was still undetectable. Anti-tumor necrosis factor a therapy was used when the arthritis relapsed, but an aggressive B-cell non Hodgkin's lymphoma developed. Molecular analyses showed an oligoclonal B-cell expansion at the LPD step. A minor clone with significant sequence homology to B-cell lymphomas arising in Sjogren's syndrome and mixed cryoglobulinemia syndrome, given rise to the non-Hodgkin's lymphoma. Treatment of rheumatoid arthritis associated with lymphoproliferation represents a clinical challenge, and common pathogenetic pathways to lymphoma may occur in different autoimmune diseases.
Related Concept Videos
T Cell Types and Functions
Th1 cells stimulate dendritic cells to express necessary co-stimulatory molecules on their surfaces for...
The JAK-STAT Signaling Pathway
Drugs for Treatment of Crohn's Disease in IBD Using Biologic Agents: Anti-TNF
Atypical Pneumonia