Characteristic expression patterns of TCL1, CD38, and CD44 identify aggressive lymphomas harboring a MYC translocation.
The distinction between Burkitt (BL) or atypical Burkitt/Burkitt-like lymphomas harboring a MYC translocation (MYC+) and diffuse large B-cell lymphomas (DLBCLs) with high proliferation fractions but without a MYC translocation (MYC-) can be difficult using standard morphologic and immunohistochemical criteria. Recently, unique gene expression profiles differentiating BL and DLBCL were reported and include higher transcript levels of T-cell leukemia-1 (TCL1) and CD38 and lower transcript levels of CD44 in MYC+ BL relative to MYC- DLBCL. We examined a cohort of 67 cytogenetically defined aggressive lymphomas using immunohistochemical techniques for expression of TCL1, CD38, and CD44 and found distinct expression patterns between MYC+ and MYC- tumors. Furthermore, these markers are better predictors of MYC status than combined staining for CD10 and BCL2. Thus staining for TCL1, CD38, and CD44 are useful ancillary tests to identify B-cell tumors for which confirmatory cytogenetic and/or fluorescent in situ hybridization studies assessing the status of the MYC locus should be pursued.
Rodig
Scott J
SJ
Department of Pathology, Brigham & Women's Hospital, Boston, MA, USA.
Vergilio
Jo-Anne
JA
Shahsafaei
Aliakbar
A
Dorfman
David M
DM
D051997:ADP-ribosyl Cyclase 1 / Q000096:biosynthesis*; D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D014408:Biomarkers, Tumor / Q000032:analysis; D002051:Burkitt Lymphoma / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism; D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D003937:Diagnosis, Differential; D005260:Female; D015870:Gene Expression; D016259:Genes, myc; D006801:Humans; D018960:Hyaluronan Receptors / Q000096:biosynthesis*; D007150:Immunohistochemistry; D008223:Lymphoma / Q000235:genetics* / Q000378:metabolism; D016403:Lymphoma, Large B-Cell, Diffuse / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism; D008297:Male; D008562:Membrane Glycoproteins / Q000096:biosynthesis*; D008875:Middle Aged; D011518:Proto-Oncogene Proteins / Q000096:biosynthesis*; D014178:Translocation, Genetic
D014408:Biomarkers, Tumor; D018960:Hyaluronan Receptors; D008562:Membrane Glycoproteins; D011518:Proto-Oncogene Proteins; C090851:TCL1A protein, human; C498154:CD38 protein, human; D051997:ADP-ribosyl Cyclase 1