title: VH gene analysis of primary CNS lymphomas.
abstract: Primary CNS lymphomas (PCNSL) are highly malignant non-Hodgkin's lymphomas of B cell origin associated with a poor prognosis. These neoplasms show variable sensitivity to radio- and chemotherapy. A molecular basis for these differences in treatment responses has not yet been established for primary CNS lymphomas in a comprehensive series of patients. Here, we performed PCR analyses of the immunoglobulin (Ig) gene rearrangements of 18 PCNSL, including nine patients who responded well to therapy and nine patients who showed resistance to treatment. Variable gene segment distribution, mutation frequency of variable region genes, and clinical course were analyzed. Our data suggest a tendency towards a higher mean mutation frequency (17.2%) in patients responding to treatment and a lower mutation frequency (11.8%) in patients exhibiting a poor response to therapy, respectively. Furthermore, a restricted usage of the VH4 gene family was observed in the majority of nonresponding patients. To further validate the prognostic impact of these molecular parameters, studies in a larger cohort of patients will be required.
authors.affiliation: Department of Neurology, University of Bonn, Bonn, Germany.
authors.forename: Hendrik
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Pels
authors.forename: Manuel
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Montesinos-Rongen
authors.forename: Carlo
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Schaller
authors.forename: Uwe
authors.initials: U
authors.lastname: Schlegel
authors.forename: Ingo G H
authors.initials: IG
authors.lastname: Schmidt-Wolf
authors.forename: Otmar D
authors.initials: OD
authors.lastname: Wiestler
authors.forename: Martina
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Deckert
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D001932:Brain Neoplasms / Q000235:genetics* / Q000276:immunology / Q000628:therapy; D004252:DNA Mutational Analysis; D018450:Disease Progression; D019008:Drug Resistance, Neoplasm / Q000235:genetics*; D005260:Female; D005787:Gene Frequency; D015322:Gene Rearrangement, B-Lymphocyte / Q000235:genetics*; D005803:Genes, Immunoglobulin / Q000235:genetics*; D005819:Genetic Markers / Q000235:genetics / Q000276:immunology; D020022:Genetic Predisposition to Disease / Q000235:genetics; D005820:Genetic Testing; D006801:Humans; D007136:Immunoglobulins / Q000235:genetics*; D008228:Lymphoma, Non-Hodgkin / Q000235:genetics* / Q000276:immunology / Q000628:therapy; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009154:Mutation / Q000235:genetics; D011237:Predictive Value of Tests; D011379:Prognosis
chemical_list: D005819:Genetic Markers; D007136:Immunoglobulins