Mesothelioma in Familial Mediterranean Fever With Colchicine Intolerance: A Case Report and Literature Review. 2020

Rosa Talerico, and Carmine Cardillo, and Francesco De Vito, and Francesca Schinzari, and Manuel Soldato, and Maria Cristina Giustiniani, and Elena Verrecchia, and Raffaele Manna
Department of Internal Medicine and Gastroenterology, Università Cattolica del Sacro Cuore, Fondazione Policlinico Universitario A. Gemelli IRCCS, Rome, Italy.

A 65-year-old Italian physician affected by Familial Mediterranean fever (FMF) was hospitalized due to progressive abdominal enlargement, which had begun 6 months before admission. Physical examination revealed ascites and bilateral leg edema. Abdominal CT scan showed ascitic fluid and extensive multiple peritoneal implants; peritoneal CT-guided biopsy revealed an epithelial-type malignant mesothelioma. The patient's past medical history revealed recurrent episodes of abdominal pain and fever from the age of 2. Clinical diagnosis of FMF was suspected at the age of 25, while genetic analysis, performed at the age of 50, confirmed homozygosity for the M694I mutation in the MEFV gene. Treatment with the first line FMF drug colchicine was started and stopped several times because of worsened leukopenia. The patient in fact had a history of asymptomatic leukopenia/lymphopenia from an early age; the intake of colchicine aggravated his pre-existing problem until the definitive suspension of the drug. As for second-line drugs, canakinumab was first prescribed, but due to prescription issues, it was not possible to be administered. When he was given anakinra, there was a worsening of leukopenia leading to septic fever. Systematic literature review indicates that, in most cases, recurrent peritoneal inflammation results in benign peritoneal fibrosis or less commonly in encapsulating peritonitis. There are only a few reported cases of recurrent peritoneal inflammation progressing from FMF to peritoneal mesothelioma (MST). In such cases, intolerance to colchicine or its erratic intake may lead to long-term recurrent inflammation, which usually precedes the development of the tumor, while pre-existing leukopenia, as in our patient, could also be a factor promoting or accelerating the tumor progression. In conclusion, we suggest that in the presence of intolerance or resistance to colchicine, interleukin (IL)-1 inhibition could suppress peritoneal inflammation and prevent MSTs.

UI MeSH Term Description Entries
D007249 Inflammation A pathological process characterized by injury or destruction of tissues caused by a variety of cytologic and chemical reactions. It is usually manifested by typical signs of pain, heat, redness, swelling, and loss of function. Innate Inflammatory Response,Inflammations,Inflammatory Response, Innate,Innate Inflammatory Responses
D007970 Leukopenia A decrease in the number of LEUKOCYTES in a blood sample below the normal range (LEUKOCYTE COUNT less than 4000). Leukocytopenia,Leukocytopenias,Leukopenias
D008297 Male Males
D008654 Mesothelioma A tumor derived from mesothelial tissue (peritoneum, pleura, pericardium). It appears as broad sheets of cells, with some regions containing spindle-shaped, sarcoma-like cells and other regions showing adenomatous patterns. Pleural mesotheliomas have been linked to exposure to asbestos. (Dorland, 27th ed) Mesotheliomas
D010505 Familial Mediterranean Fever A group of HEREDITARY AUTOINFLAMMATION DISEASES, characterized by recurrent fever, abdominal pain, headache, rash, PLEURISY; and ARTHRITIS. ORCHITIS; benign MENINGITIS; and AMYLOIDOSIS may also occur. Homozygous or compound heterozygous mutations in marenostrin gene encoding PYRIN result in autosomal recessive transmission; simple heterozygous, autosomal dominant form of the disease also exists with mutations in the same gene. Mediterranean Fever, Familial,Periodic Disease,Periodic Disease, Wolff's,Wolff Periodic Disease,Wolff's Periodic Disease,Benign Paroxysmal Peritonitis,Familial Mediterranean Fever, Autosomal Dominant,Familial Mediterranean Fever, Autosomal Recessive,Familial Paroxysmal Polyserositis,Periodic Peritonitis,Polyserositis, Familial Paroxysmal,Polyserositis, Recurrent,Recurrent Polyserositis,Benign Paroxysmal Peritonitides,Disease, Periodic,Disease, Wolff Periodic,Disease, Wolff's Periodic,Diseases, Periodic,Familial Paroxysmal Polyserositides,Paroxysmal Peritonitides, Benign,Paroxysmal Peritonitis, Benign,Paroxysmal Polyserositides, Familial,Paroxysmal Polyserositis, Familial,Periodic Disease, Wolff,Periodic Disease, Wolffs,Periodic Diseases,Periodic Peritonitides,Peritonitides, Benign Paroxysmal,Peritonitides, Periodic,Peritonitis, Benign Paroxysmal,Peritonitis, Periodic,Polyserositides, Familial Paroxysmal,Polyserositides, Recurrent,Recurrent Polyserositides,Wolffs Periodic Disease
D010537 Peritoneum A membrane of squamous EPITHELIAL CELLS, the mesothelial cells, covered by apical MICROVILLI that allow rapid absorption of fluid and particles in the PERITONEAL CAVITY. The peritoneum is divided into parietal and visceral components. The parietal peritoneum covers the inside of the ABDOMINAL WALL. The visceral peritoneum covers the intraperitoneal organs. The double-layered peritoneum forms the MESENTERY that suspends these organs from the abdominal wall. Parietal Peritoneum,Peritoneum, Parietal,Peritoneum, Visceral,Visceral Peritoneum,Parametrium,Parametriums
D011110 Polymorphism, Genetic The regular and simultaneous occurrence in a single interbreeding population of two or more discontinuous genotypes. The concept includes differences in genotypes ranging in size from a single nucleotide site (POLYMORPHISM, SINGLE NUCLEOTIDE) to large nucleotide sequences visible at a chromosomal level. Gene Polymorphism,Genetic Polymorphism,Polymorphism (Genetics),Genetic Polymorphisms,Gene Polymorphisms,Polymorphism, Gene,Polymorphisms (Genetics),Polymorphisms, Gene,Polymorphisms, Genetic
D003078 Colchicine A major alkaloid from Colchicum autumnale L. and found also in other Colchicum species. Its primary therapeutic use is in the treatment of gout, but it has been used also in the therapy of familial Mediterranean fever (PERIODIC DISEASE). Colchicine, (+-)-Isomer,Colchicine, (R)-Isomer
D006720 Homozygote An individual in which both alleles at a given locus are identical. Homozygotes
D006801 Humans Members of the species Homo sapiens. Homo sapiens,Man (Taxonomy),Human,Man, Modern,Modern Man

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