What does this research mean for the field?

In Brazil, adult T-cell leukemia/lymphoma is frequently diagnosed late, with HTLV-1 infection often discovered only at ATLL diagnosis, resulting in a high rate of aggressive disease with poor survival and low response to chemotherapy. Novelty: ClaimNovelty.INCREMENTAL. Consensus alignment: ConsensusAlignment.NEUTRAL.

What question did this study set out to answer?

To characterize the clinical presentation, diagnostic patterns, and prognostic factors of adult T-cell leukemia/lymphoma to address underdiagnosis and improve clinical management.

September 8, 2026Hematology Transfusion and Cell TherapyOpen Access

Outcomes of patients with adult T-cell leukemia/lymphoma at a university and a public cancer center in Brazil

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Authors

FMFelipe A MeloHospital São Paulo JDJoão Ck Dos-SantosHospital das Clínicas da Faculdade de Medicina da Universidade de São Paulo JOJose Vr de OliveiraHospital das Clínicas da Faculdade de Medicina da Universidade de São Paulo

Discussion

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Implication

Retrospective observational study reveals poor survival and late diagnosis in adult T-cell leukemia/lymphoma, highlighting the critical need for routine HTLV-1 screening.

Key Points

To characterize the clinical presentation, diagnostic patterns, and prognostic factors of adult T-cell leukemia/lymphoma to address underdiagnosis and improve clinical management.
Conducted a retrospective observational study reviewing medical records of patients diagnosed with adult T-cell leukemia/lymphoma between 1994 and 2022 at the University of São Paulo in Brazil (N=55).
Disease subtypes comprised indolent ATLL in 52.7% (n=29), lymphoma in 12.7% (n=7), and acute forms in 34.5% (n=19); HTLV-1 was unknown until ATLL diagnosis in 56% of all patients and 77% of aggressive cases.
Median overall survival varied markedly by subtype: 68 months for smoldering, 41 months for chronic, 13 months for lymphoma, and 12.5 months for acute ATLL; 14 indolent patients progressed, showing a median survival of 55 days after transformation.
Chemotherapy achieved an objective response rate of 22% among 36 patients treated for aggressive disease, and only four patients underwent allogeneic stem cell transplantation.

Cite This Study

Melo et al. (2026) studied this question.

synapsesocial.com/papers/6a9fd76758e84d0ff5b460d6 https://doi.org/10.1016/j.htct.2026.106520

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Implication

Retrospective observational study reveals poor survival and late diagnosis in adult T-cell leukemia/lymphoma, highlighting the critical need for routine HTLV-1 screening.

Outcomes of patients with adult T-cell leukemia/lymphoma at a university and a public cancer center in Brazil

Discussion

Member takes

Implication

Key Points

Cite This Study

Outcomes of patients with adult T-cell leukemia/lymphoma at a university and a public cancer center in Brazil

Discussion

Member takes

Implication

Key Points

Cite This Study

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