Arterial thrombosis associated with anticardiolipin and anti-beta 2-glycoprotein-I antibodies in patients with non-Hodgkin's lymphoma: a report of two cases

Autoimmune phenomena in lymphoid malignancies are often observed. However, clinical manifestations such as a secondary antiphospholipid syndrome in th e presence of antiphospholipid antibodies are rarely reported. Furthermore, in the few cases of lymphomas so far reported with thrombosis associated w ith elevated antiphospholipid antibodies, the anti-beta2-glycoprotein-I ant ibodies have not been studied. We report on two cases of arterial thrombosi s occuring in patients with B-cell lymphoma who presented with positive ant icardiolipin and anti-beta2-glycoprotein-I antibodies. Our observation sugg ests that patients with non-Hodgkin's lymphoma and both anticardiolipin and anti-beta2-glycoprotein-I antibodies may be, similar to lupus patients, at considerable risk towards thrombosis, especially towards arterial thrombos is.