Mediastinal large-cell lymphoma of B-type, with sclerosis: Histopathological and immunohistochemical study of eight cases

Eight cases of mediastinal non-lymphoblastic large-cell lymphoma have been studied by histopathological and immunohistochemical methods. A common clinical, morphological and immunophenotypic pattern was identified. Six of eight cases proved to be of B-cell origin by the expression of B-associated antigens detected by specific monoclonal antibodies. Cells of large size with nuclei of varying morphology and a peculiar type of fine compartmentalizing fibrosis were observed in all specimens. Clinically the disease was characterized by the young age of the patients, primary mediastinal involvement, aggressive behaviour and spread to unusual sites (kidneys in four cases). This seems to be a hitherto unrecognized entity in the field of non-Hodgkin's lymphomas, often misdiagnosed because of location and a morphology uncommon for B-cell malignancies. Immunohistochemical analysis on frozen tissue sections appears to be mandatory for a correct diagnosis. Nevertheless, this type of lymphoma could be suspected also on the basis of its peculiar clinicopathological characteristics.     

Sequential development of diffuse large B-cell lymphoma in a patient with angioimmunoblastic T-cell lymphoma

Lymphoma of different histologic type can occur in the same patient. Here, we describe a 64-year-old male patient with angioimmunoblastic T-cell lymphoma (AITL) who subsequently developed diffuse large B-cell lymphoma (DLBCL). At the time of initial diagnosis, histologic examination of a left inguinal lymph node of the patient and a monoclonal pattern of TCRβ gene rearrangement showed typical features of AITL, and there was no evidence of a monoclonal B-cell population. Twenty-six months later, he had generalized lymphadenopathy and organs involvement by DLBCL. A monoclonal IgH gene rearrangement proved de novo development of secondary B-cell lymphoma and excluded relapse of a primary composite lymphoma. The in situ hybridization analysis showed Epstein-Barr-encoded RNA (EBER) sporadic positivity in sample collected from AITL but extensive positivity in the immunoblasts collected from DLBCL. Our observation supports the hypothesis that Epstein-Barr virus (EBV) is etiologically related to AITL in this case. Clonal expansion of EBV-associated DLBCL is a secondary event in AITL via EBV infection or reactivation.     

Idiopathic retroperitoneal fibrosis mimicking malignant lymphoma

We present a case of atypical idiopathic retroperitoneal fibrosis (iRPF) presenting as a large pelvic tumor, for which it proved difficult to exclude T-cell malignant lymphoma. Histopathological examination of biopsy material showed collagenous tissue and fat with an exuberant and predominant T-cell infiltrate, largely consisting of CD4(+) cells expressing the IL-2 receptor-α chain (CD25). Focal plasma cells were negative for the immunoglobulin G4 (IgG4) isotype. T-cell receptor gene rearrangement (TRGR) pattern showed a Gaussian distribution, in keeping with a polyclonal T-cell population. Awareness of the sometimes exuberant and predominant T-cell infiltrate in iRPF should lead to earlier consideration of this disorder. This is particularly the case where there is an atypically localized and/or extensive mass, for which early exclusion of monoclonality with TRGR may provide helpful. Immunohistochemical findings suggest that CD4(+) CD25(+) cells, which are part of a naturally occurring population of regulatory T-cells, may be involved in the pathogenesis of iRPF.     

Primary mediastinal clear cell lymphoma

Summary This is a report on 8 mediastinal tumours that occurred in young adults (19–43 years, mean: 29.4); predominantly in females (6/8). Initial symptoms consisted of thoracic pain and venectasia and in only one case in B symptoms. After surgical tumour reduction, radiation and/or chemotherapy, local recurrence was observed in each case under clinical care; abdominal spread is presently suspected in 3 patients; 3 died 11, 13 and 22 months after diagnosis. None developed leukaemia. The tumours are B-cell neoplasms with a characteristic immunophenotype: leucocyte common antigen⁺, common acute lymphoblastic leukaemia antigen^–, B 1-antigen⁺, surface and cytoplasmic immunoglobulin^–. Flow cytometry revealed DNA-diploidy in 7 cases and a moderately (3.2–3.8%) to extremely high (8.0–20.6%) S-phase component. The proliferation associated antigen Ki67 was detectable in 10–60% of the tumour cell nuclei, thus stressing the considerable or rapid growth. Histopathology is characterized by a diffuse growth pattern and a clearness and abundance of cytoplasm of the pleomorphic tumour cells, which vary in size and nuclear morphology from patient to patient. Apoptoses are more numerous than mitoses. Fibrosis and focal necrosis are common, sclerosis is present in 3 cases. We suggest that primary mediastinal lymphoma of B cell type is a novel B-lymphoma variant.This work was supported by the Tumorzentrum Heidelberg/Mannheim and the Land ofThis work was supported by the Tumorzentrum Heidelberg/Mannheim and the Land of     

B cell lymphoma with IRF4 rearrangement: A clinicopathological study of 13 cases

Interferon regulatory factor 4 (IRF4) rearrangement is commonly detected in patients with a range of lymphoproliferative malignancies, including myelomas, large B cell lymphomas and low-grade B cell neoplasms. However, IRF4 rearrangement is generally a relatively rare finding in these latter two cancer types. In the present article, we describe and summarize the clinicopathological and genetic features of 13 cases of B cell lymphoma with IRF4 rearrangement, including 12 cases of large B cell lymphoma and one case of low-grade lymphoma exhibiting such rearrangement. These cases were detected in six females and seven males between 14 and 71 years of age. From a morphological perspective, large B cell lymphoma tumors included in this analysis exhibited large neoplastic cells in diffuse or follicular patterns, while the case of low-grade lymphoma mainly composed of small lymphocytes. All analyzed cases exhibited a split in the IRF4 gene consistent with IRF4 translocation. Three of six analyzed large B cell lymphoma cases harbored IGLL5 mutations. Mutations in SAMHD1 were detected in the low-grade lymphoma with IRF4 rearrangement case. In summary, our results offer further insight into the morphological and molecular heterogeneity of cases of B cell lymphoma exhibiting IRF4 rearrangements.     

IgH基因单克隆重排检测及其在B细胞性非霍奇金淋巴瘤诊断中的应用

 目的：建立准确可靠、操作性强、适用于临床实际工作的免疫球蛋白重链（immunoglobulin heavy chain,IgH）基因单克隆重排检测方法,用于B细胞性非霍奇金淋巴瘤（B-cell non-Hodgkin lymphoma,B-NHL）的辅助诊断。方法：采用骨架区(framework region,FR）引物FR2、FR3和重链连接区 （joining region of heavy chain,J_H）引物LJH、VLJH组合、A管+B管模式、半巢式聚合酶链式反应(polymerase chain reaction,PCR)法对121例B-NHL、58例T细胞性非霍奇金淋巴瘤（T-cell non-Hodgkin lymphoma,T-NHL）和19例淋巴结反应性增生的石蜡组织进行IgH基因单克隆重排检测,分析IgH基因单克隆重排检出率在B-NHL组、T-NHL组和淋巴结反应性增生组中的差异,以及B-NHL中联合应用FR2和FR3与单独应用FR2、FR3之间IgH基因单克隆重排检出率的差异。结果：118例成功检测的B-NHL中,IgH基因单克隆重排检出率为81%（96/118）;54例成功检测的T-NHL中,IgH基因单克隆重排检出率为4%（2/54）;19例成功检测的淋巴结反应性增生中未检出IgH基因单克隆重排。B-NHL组与T-NHL组、淋巴结反应性增生组相比,IgH基因单克隆重排检出率差异具有显著性（P<0.05）。B-NHL中, FR2基因单克隆重排检出率为58%（68/118）,FR3基因单克隆重排检出率为55%（65/118）,联合应用FR2和FR3,IgH基因单克隆重排检出率为81%（96/118）,联合应用FR2和FR3与单独应用FR2、FR3的检出率有显著差异（P<0.05）。结论：采用FR2、FR3、LJH及VLJH引物组合、A管+B管模式和半巢式PCR法进行石蜡组织IgH基因单克隆重排检测,简单易行,结果准确可靠,阳性率较高,可用于临床B-NHL的辅助诊断。     

Gastric T-cell lymphoma with cytotoxic phenotype

Primary gastric lymphoma usually originates from B cells of mucosa-associated lymphoid tissue (MALT) infected with Helicobacter pylori. When T-cell lymphomas develop in the stomach, they usually occur in association with infection by human T-lymphotropic virus type 1 and gastric involvement of adult T-cell leukemia. Reported herein is a unique and informative case of gastric peripheral T-cell lymphoma with a cytotoxic phenotype that histologically mimicked, and had to be carefully distinguished from, MALT-type B-cell lymphoma. The patient, a 73-year-old woman, underwent a gastric endoscopy examination, and the histological findings suggested MALT-type gastric lymphoma. Analysis of the immunoglobulin heavy chain (IgH) gene and T cell receptor gamma (TCRgamma) gene revealed monoclonal rearrangement of the TCRgamma gene. The tumor cells exhibited mild atypia and immunoreactivity with anti-CD3, anti-CD8, anti-T-cell intracellular antigen-1, antigranzyme B and antiperforin antibodies, but not with anti-CD20, anti-CD10, and anti-CD79a antibodies. The case was finally diagnosed as gastric T-cell lymphoma with cytotoxic phenotype, and this was confirmed after surgical resection. In cases such as this, small biopsy specimens from the stomach should be examined carefully for low grade B-cell-type malignant lymphoma (MALT lymphoma), because sometimes the proliferating B cells can hide the truly malignant T cells, and rearrangement analysis is useful for diagnosing T-cell malignancy.     

石蜡淋巴瘤组织中IgH FR3区基因重排引物分析

目的 利用生物信息学方法分析免疫球蛋白重链(IgH)框架区(FR3)基因重排引物并探讨其在石蜡包埋非霍奇金淋巴瘤(NHL)组织中应用价值.方法 通过Chustal W 软件比较44条有效的IgH可变区和6条J区的基因片段,选取IgH FR3区3对(P1,P2,P3)基因重排引物,其中,P2为改进的引物.另选一对TCRγ脚引物作为T细胞淋巴瘤重排引物,通过PCR扩增,检测经形态学及免疫组织化学确诊的144例石蜡包埋组织标本,包括113例B细胞淋巴瘤、24例T细胞淋巴瘤和7例淋巴结反应性增生组织.以DG75淋巴瘤细胞系DNA作为对照组.结果 引物对P1、P2、P3在B细胞淋巴瘤检出阳性率分别为71.7%(81/113),82.3%(93/113)和76.1%(86/113),三者检出率差异无统计学意义;在T细胞淋巴瘤检出率分别12.5%(3/24)、12.5%(3/24)、16.7%(4/24).将P1和P2引物组合分析,B细胞淋巴瘤阳性检出率可以达到92.3%.以上重排引物在7例反应性淋巴结中均未检出.结论 3对IgH FR3区中,新改进的P2引物在B细胞淋巴瘤中的检出率最高(82.3%).2对IgH FR3区引物联合检测可明显提高石蜡组织中B细胞淋巴瘤的检出率.     

T cell receptor CDR3 loop length repertoire is determined primarily by features of the V(D)J recombination reaction

The third complementarity-determining region (CDR) of the TCR alpha and beta chains forms loops that engage amino acid residues of peptides complexed with MHC. This interaction is central to the specific discrimination of antigenic-peptide-MHC complexes by the TCR. The TCRbeta chain CDR3 loop is encoded by the Dbeta gene segment and flanking portions of the Vbeta and Jbeta gene segments. The joining of these gene segments is imprecise, leading to significant variability in the TCRbeta chain CDR3 loop length and amino acid composition. In marked contrast to other pairing antigen-receptor chains, the TCR beta and alpha chain CDR3 loop size distributions are relatively narrow and closely matched. Thus, pairing of TCR alpha and beta chains with relatively similar CDR3 loop sizes may be important for generating a functional repertoire of alpha beta TCR. Here we show that the TCRbeta chain CDR3 loop size distribution is minimally impacted by TCRbeta chain or alpha beta TCR selection during thymocyte development. Rather, this distribution is determined primarily at the level of variable-region gene assembly, and is critically dependent on unique features of the V(D)J recombination reaction that ensure Dbeta gene segment utilization.     

Clinicopathological features of eight Korean cases of primary hepatic lymphoma

Primary hepatic lymphoma is very rare, accounting for less than 0.4% of extranodal lymphomas. Furthermore, hepatic lymphoma, either primary or metastatic, is infrequently confirmed histopathologically in needle biopsy specimens. The aim of the current study is to assess the clinicopathological characteristics of primary hepatic lymphomas in Korea, which is an endemic area of chronic B viral hepatitis. In total, 17 cases with liver needle biopsy specimens with involvement of malignant lymphoma, from whom eight cases met the criteria for primary hepatic lymphoma, were selected. The clinicopathological features were reviewed. Five of eight (62.5%) cases were T cell lymphoma, including three cases (37.5%) of hepatosplenic T cell lymphoma. Three cases (37.5%) were diffuse large B cell lymphomas. Seven patients had follow-up data from 25 days to 50 months that was available for evaluation. The partial remission was present in two of seven patients (28.6%) and five patients (71%) died of disease 25 days to 7 months after the diagnosis. The data indicate that the relatively high incidence of T-cell type in Korean cases of primary hepatic lymphoma may be related to its aggressive behavior and poor prognosis despite combination chemotherapy.     

Low-grade B cell lymphoma of mucosa-associated lymphoid tissue in the thymus of a patient with rheumatoid arthritis

The majority of thymlc lymphomas are either lymphoblastic lymphoma, large B cell lymphoma or Hodgkin's disease, and other types of non-Hodgkin lymphoma are rare. A case of low-grade B cell lymphoma of mucosa-associated lymphoid tissue (MALT) In the thymus is reported. A 55-year-old Japanese female with a history of rheumatoid arthritis (RA) complained of back pain. A mediastinal tumor was identified by computerized tomography and magnetic resonance imaging, and the thymus was resected through median sternotomy. The solid and nodular tumor had several small satellite extensions and was completely confined to within the thymus. Hlstologically, monotonous medium-sized centrocyte-like cells occupied the medulla of the thymus and Infiltrated Hassan's corpuscles (lymphoepithellal lesions). Immunohistochemically, tumor cells were positive for CD20 and CD79a. IgA and kappa light chain restriction were also found in plasmacytoid cells in the tumor. Clonal rearrangement of the immunoglobulin heavy chain gene was demonstrated by polymerase chain reaction. This case was diagnosed as MALT-type low-grade B cell lymphoma In the thymus. This is the first report of low-grade B cell lymphoma In the thymus associated with RA. As autoimmune diseases are known to be associated with lymphoid neoplasms, It is suggested that the RA played an Important role in the development of malignant lymphoma in this case.     

正常人T细胞和胸腺细胞中多种新的TCRδRec基因重排

利用巢式或半巢式PCR扩增10例正常人外周血单个核细胞(PBMC)、4例分选CD3~+细胞和7例正常胸腺细胞DNA中TCR δRec区与Jδ1、Dδ3和Ja重排的基因片段,分析正常人外周血T细胞和胸腺细胞中TCR δRec基因重排情况。克隆性PCR产物进一步进行核苷酸序列分析确定其重排位置。结果发现了4种新的TCR δRec重排,包括TCR δRec_(149321)-Jδ1、TCRδRec_(149820)-Jδ1、TCR δRec_(151657)(Nx)-Ja和TCR δRec_(153199)-Jδ1等,其中以TCR δNx的重排最多见,通过利用不同模板DNA的PCR分析发现δRec重排在外周血和胸腺细胞中有所不同。结果显示TCR δNx-Jδ1重排在成熟和不成熟T细胞发生频率均较高,而TCR δNx-Dδ3重排在不成熟T细胞中发生率较高。但所有重排均不表达于mRNA中。本研究结果为TCR δ基因重排的研究补充了一些新的数据。     

Gene rearrangements in T-cell lymphoblastic lymphoma

This study presents an examination of the Ig heavy chain (IgH) and T-cell receptor gamma (TCRγ) genes in a series of 39 CD3-positive T-cell acute lymphoblastic leukaemia (ALL) cases with and without co-expression of CD79a; 30/39 cases had a rearrangement of the TCRγ genes and two of these 30 cases also demonstrated an IgH rearrangement. No cases had solely an IgH rearrangement. The conclusion of the study is that lymphoblastic lymphoma cases that are positive for CD3 are of T-cell lineage, regardless of CD79a expression. Copyright © 1999 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Angioimmunoblastic T-cell lymphoma with dual genotype of TCR and IgH genes

A 70-year-old man complained of fever and sore throat accompanied by hoarseness of voice. On physical examination, there was no systemic abnormality but a mild lymphadenopathy of cervical lymph nodes. With laryngoscopy, there was a marked outgrowth of the bilateral palatine tonsils proximal to the vocal cord. The histology of the resected tumor was compatible with angioimmunoblastic T cell lymphoma (AITL), revealing the effacement of normal tonsillar architecture and small to medium-sized neoplastic cell proliferation around marked vascular proliferation and atrophic lymphoid follicles. Tumor cells were positive for conventional T-cell antigens as well as for the follicular helper T-cell marker, PD-1, and CXCL13. Large hodgkinoid cells, but no tumor cells, were positive for latent membrane protein-1 and Epstein-Barr virus-encoded small RNA (EBER)-1 (in situ hybridization). Non-neoplastic, double positive cells for EBER-1 and CD20 were also scattered. Southern blot analysis revealed dual TCR-Cβ1 and IGH-JH gene rearrangements. Although the swelling of bilateral inguinal and perigastric lymph nodes developed later, the radical resection of tumor and chemotherapy appeared to be effective for the treatment of AITL with clinical stage IIIa. We here report a rare case of AITL involving palatine tonsil as primary site and give a review of the literature.     

ALK-negative anaplastic large-cell lymphoma demonstrates similar poor prognosis to peripheral T-cell lymphoma, unspecified

AIMS: Anaplastic large cell lymphoma (ALCL) is classically considered a clinicopathological entity separate from other nodal mature T-cell lymphomas (TCL). Recently, the anaplastic lymphoma kinase (ALK) protein was shown to identify a subgroup of nodal ALCL with an excellent prognosis, whereas ALK-negative ALCLs are more heterogeneous. The aim of this study was to investigate the clinicopathological parameters in relation to clinical behaviour of ALK-negative ALCL compared with other nodal mature TCL, i.e. peripheral TCL, unspecified (PTCL-NOS) and angioimmunoblastic lymphoma (AILT). METHODS AND RESULTS: Clinicopathological data of ALK-positive (n = 28) and ALK-negative (n = 46) ALCL; PTCL-NOS (n = 47); and AILT (n = 12) were analysed for their prognostic significance. While ALK-positive ALCL shows favourable clinical features and a good prognosis, ALK-negative ALCL, PTCL-NOS and AILT are all associated with high age groups, advanced disease stage, and poor prognosis (<45% 5-year survival). In multivariate analysis of overall survival time, performed in the combined group of ALK-negative nodal mature T-cell lymphomas, only age and the International Prognostic Index (IPI) remained independent prognostic parameters, while lymphoma subtype (ALCL versus PTCL-NOS versus AILT) gave no additional information. CONCLUSIONS: The distinction between ALK-negative ALCL and PTCL-NOS or AILT is of limited clinical relevance as they show comparable poor prognosis. In these lymphoma subtypes, only age and the IPI are of significant prognostic value.     

眼结膜黏膜相关淋巴组织边缘带B细胞淋巴瘤临床病理分析

目的 探讨眼结膜黏膜相关淋巴组织边缘带B细胞淋巴瘤(marginal zone B cell lymphoma of mucosa-associated lymphoid tissue)(简称为MALT淋巴瘤)的临床病理特征、治疗及预后.方法 对15例眼结膜MALT淋巴瘤患者的临床病理资料进行回顾性分析及随访,复查和完善HE及免疫组化染色切片,4例进行Ig基因重排克隆性分析.结果 (1)15例患者中,男性5例,女性10例,中位年龄42岁,病史平均20个月.(2)病理形态:黏膜下大量密集淋巴样细胞弥漫浸润,并有模糊淋巴滤泡样结节.浸润细胞多为小～中等大小的淋巴样细胞及单核样B细胞.(3)免疫表型:浸润细胞CD20、CD79a、BCL-2均(+),CD3、CD5、CD10、Cyclin D1、TdT均(-).(4)Ig基因克隆性分析:4例均呈单克隆.(5)随访:随访时间2～35个月,截止随访日期,所有患者均生存,且病变无复发.结论 眼结膜MALT淋巴瘤好发于中年女性,结膜红肿突起为主要特征,镜下以小细胞样边缘带B细胞为主,具有典型MALT淋巴瘤的免疫表型和惰性临床经过,预后良好.     

Eosinophilia associated with a composite lymphoma

We report a case of composite lymphoma heralded by a hyper-eosinophilia syndrome. Combination of immunophenotyping and gene rearrangement analysis allowed us to confirm malignancy and to detect a minor oligoclone B within a malignant T-cell predominant population. No evidence of retroviral infection was found using western blot and gene amplification techniques.     

Evidence for recombinatorial hot spots at the T cell receptor Jα locus

The complex genomic organization of the murine T cell receptor (TcR) δ-α region has hindered detailed studies of α gene rearrangement and Jα gene usage in individual differentiating T cell precursors. We have isolated a novel set of Jα probes which, in combination with a few restriction enzyme digests, enable a reliable, simple and nearly complete analysis and location of any rearrangement at the Jα locus by conventional Southern blotting. The probes were used to analyze TcR α gene rearrangements in T cell hybridomas derived from an in vitro culture system that supports T cell differentiation of bone marrow cells. Our results indicate that Jα genes are unequally accessible for rearrangement and two hot spots for rearrangement could be demonstrated. In addition, only a restricted set of Jα genes was rearranged in each culture indicating that the slightly variable composition of factors can influence the recombinatorial accessibility of Jα genes. The hot spots for rearrangement were not only limited to T cells differentiating in vitro but could also be demonstrated among functional T cell clones based on the published sequence information from isolated TcR α gene rearrangements. The demonstration and the location of the hot spots for rearrangement in the T cell differentiation culture system opens up the possibility to study factors and mechanisms that regulate recombinatorial accessibility of TcR α genes.     

Polymerase chain reaction screening of immunoglobulin heavy chain and T cell receptor γ gene rearrangements: A practical approach to molecular DNA analysis of non-Hodgkin's lymphoma in a surgical pathology laboratory

Characterization of the clonality of non-Hodgkin's lymphoma (NHL) by the rearranged segments of immunoglobulin heavy chain (Ig(H)) or T cell receptor (TCR) genes is not only useful in the confirmation of the diagnosis but also for the future assessment of how a secondary lymphoma, such as a recurrence or another primary lymphoma, occurs. As a practical approach to obtaining and registering this information in a surgical pathology laboratory, FR3 and FR1 regions of Ig(H) gene and TCRgamma gene were concurrently amplified by polymerase chain reaction (PCR) using each pair of consensus primers and the same PCR protocol. Examined samples consisted of 134 primary NHL (phenotypically, 108 B cell and 26 T cell NHL), 19 reactive lymphadenopathies, as well as five secondary lymphomas whose primary lesions were included in this study. Among the primary NHL, the combined PCR analysis disclosed the clonality in 103 of 134 NHL (77%), by FR3 PCR in 77 B cell and two T cell NHL, by FR1 PCR in 59 B cell and one T cell NHL, and by TCRgamma PCR in 11 B cell and 17 of 26 T cell NHL, but in none of the reactive lymphadenopathies. Among the secondary lymphomas, the same pattern of PCR analysis was obtained in two cases (the durations between first and second lymphomas; 6 and 10 months), which suggested recurrence. In contrast, different results were obtained in three cases (17-37 months), which indicated another primary or emergence of the subclones. The results of Southern blot analysis were concordant with the PCR results of the first and the secondary lymphomas. Although the combined PCR analysis cannot replace Southern blot hybridization because of its lower detection rate, it can select those cases suitable for further Southern blot analysis thus reducing the number of unnecessary examinations by nearly 75%. This approach may also be useful in the comparative evaluation of primary and secondary lymphomas.