CD20 positive T-cell lymphoma/leukemia: a rare entity with potential diagnostic pitfalls.
Mature T-cell neoplasms are relatively uncommon, accounting for approximately 10% of all non-Hodgkin lymphomas. This category of hematopoietic neoplasms is clinically aggressive and shows a poor response to therapy and shortened survival. The antigen CD20 has long been thought to be a specific marker for B-cell lineage and has been used to help differentiate T-cell and B-cell neoplasms. We present two cases of a rare subset of T-cell leukemia/lymphoma having a unique immunophenotype, both being CD20+. The significance of CD20 antigen in T-cell lymphomas is yet to be determined, but may allow treatment with novel therapeutic agents (eg, rituximab, a recombinant anti-CD20 monoclonal antibody).
Buckner
Carl L
CL
Dept of Pathology & Laboratory Medicine, Medical University of South Carolina, Charleston, SC 29425, USA.
Christiansen
Lydia R
LR
Bourgeois
Danyel
D
Lazarchick
John J
JJ
Lazarchick
John
J
D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D018951:Antigens, CD20 / Q000276:immunology*; D014408:Biomarkers, Tumor / Q000276:immunology*; D003937:Diagnosis, Differential; D017809:Fatal Outcome; D005434:Flow Cytometry; D006801:Humans; D016130:Immunophenotyping; D015459:Leukemia-Lymphoma, Adult T-Cell / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000276:immunology*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009367:Neoplasm Staging
D018951:Antigens, CD20; D014408:Biomarkers, Tumor