The expression of myeloid antigens CD13 and/or CD33 is a marker of ALK+ anaplastic large cell lymphomas.
We retrospectively studied the immunophenotype by flow cytometry of 20 anaplastic large cell lymphomas (ALCLs) (9 anaplastic lymphoma kinase [ALK]+ and 11 ALK-) with a particular emphasis on the aberrant expression of the myeloid associated antigens CD13 and/or CD33. All ALCLs expressed CD45, HLA-DR, and CD30. Most (8/9) ALK+ ALCLs expressed at least 1 surface T-cell antigen (CD4, 6/9 [67%]; CD7, 6/9 [67%]; CD2, 5/9 [56%]; CD5, 2/9 [22%]; CD8, 2/9 [22%]; CD3, 1/9 [11%]). All ALK-ALCLs expressed at least 1 surface T-cell antigen (CD3, 7/11 [64%]; CD4, 6/11 [55%]; CD2, 6/11 [55%]; CD7, 2/11 [18%]; CD5, 1/11 [9%]; CD8, 1/11 [9%]). CD13 and/or CD33 were expressed in all (9/9) ALK+ ALCLs compared with 1 of 11 ALK-ALCLs (9%) (P < .0001). Surface CD3 was more likely expressed in ALK-ALCLs (7/11) compared with ALK+ ALCLs (1/9) (P .03). The myeloid-associated antigens CD13 and/or CD33 are sensitive but not entirely specific markers of ALK+ ALCLs and should not be misinterpreted as indicating myeloid sarcoma.
Bovio
Ian M
IM
Department of Pathology, Immunology and Laboratory Medicine, University of Florida College of Medicine, Gainesville, FL, USA.
Allan
Robert W
RW
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D000077548:Anaplastic Lymphoma Kinase; D015703:Antigens, CD / Q000096:biosynthesis*; D015214:Antigens, Differentiation, Myelomonocytic / Q000096:biosynthesis*; D014408:Biomarkers, Tumor / Q000032:analysis*; D018826:CD13 Antigens / Q000096:biosynthesis*; D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D005260:Female; D005434:Flow Cytometry; D006801:Humans; D007150:Immunohistochemistry; D016130:Immunophenotyping; D007223:Infant; D017728:Lymphoma, Large-Cell, Anaplastic / Q000378:metabolism*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D011505:Protein-Tyrosine Kinases / Q000378:metabolism; D020794:Receptor Protein-Tyrosine Kinases; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D063268:Sialic Acid Binding Ig-like Lectin 3
D015703:Antigens, CD; D015214:Antigens, Differentiation, Myelomonocytic; D014408:Biomarkers, Tumor; C571163:CD33 protein, human; D063268:Sialic Acid Binding Ig-like Lectin 3; C000626173:ALK protein, human; D000077548:Anaplastic Lymphoma Kinase; D011505:Protein-Tyrosine Kinases; D020794:Receptor Protein-Tyrosine Kinases; D018826:CD13 Antigens