title: Re-occurrence of the CD20 molecule expression subsequent to CD20-negative relapse in diffuse large B-cell lymphoma.
abstract: We report the first case of diffuse large B-cell lymphoma (DLBCL) of the stomach displaying CD20-negative relapse after rituximab-containing treatment and the re-appearance of CD20 expression at the second failure. The loss of CD20 expression in B-cell lymphomas relapsing after rituximab is a well-known phenomenon, but its actual impact in DLBCL is difficult to estimate. This paradigmatic case suggests that CD20-expression reappearance after purging of CD20-positive clones with rituximab might be an underestimated occurrence in B-cell lymphomas. Accordingly, every relapse, whenever possible, should be histologically assessed with diagnostic and immunophenotyping purposes.
authors.affiliation: Medical Oncology Unit, Dept. of Oncology, San Raffaele H Scientific Institute, Milan, Italy. andres.ferreri@hsr.it
authors.forename: A J
authors.initials: AJ
authors.lastname: Ferreri
authors.forename: G P
authors.initials: GP
authors.lastname: Dognini
authors.forename: C
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Verona
authors.forename: C
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Patriarca
authors.forename: C
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Doglioni
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Ponzoni
mesh_terms: D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D000911:Antibodies, Monoclonal / Q000494:pharmacology / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D058846:Antibodies, Monoclonal, Murine-Derived; D018951:Antigens, CD20 / Q000096:biosynthesis* / Q000187:drug effects / Q000235:genetics; D000951:Antigens, Neoplasm / Q000096:biosynthesis* / Q000187:drug effects / Q000235:genetics; D000971:Antineoplastic Combined Chemotherapy Protocols / Q000627:therapeutic use; D003131:Combined Modality Therapy; D003520:Cyclophosphamide / Q000008:administration & dosage; D015251:Epirubicin / Q000008:administration & dosage; D017809:Fatal Outcome; D015972:Gene Expression Regulation, Neoplastic; D006801:Humans; D007155:Immunologic Factors / Q000494:pharmacology / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D016130:Immunophenotyping; D007167:Immunotherapy; D015182:Lymphatic Irradiation; D016403:Lymphoma, Large B-Cell, Diffuse / Q000378:metabolism* / Q000628:therapy; D008297:Male; D009364:Neoplasm Recurrence, Local / Q000378:metabolism* / Q000473:pathology / Q000628:therapy; D011241:Prednisone / Q000008:administration & dosage; D000069283:Rituximab; D013274:Stomach Neoplasms / Q000378:metabolism* / Q000628:therapy; D014750:Vincristine / Q000008:administration & dosage
chemical_list: D000911:Antibodies, Monoclonal; D058846:Antibodies, Monoclonal, Murine-Derived; D018951:Antigens, CD20; D000951:Antigens, Neoplasm; D007155:Immunologic Factors; D015251:Epirubicin; D000069283:Rituximab; D014750:Vincristine; D003520:Cyclophosphamide; D011241:Prednisone