Clinical, phenotypic and genetic similarities and disparities between post-transplant and classical Hodgkin lymphomas with respect to therapeutic targets.
OBJECTIVE
Post-transplant Hodgkin lymphoma (ptHL) is a rare but serious complication. We explored the clinical, phenotypic and genetic similarities and disparities between ptHL and classical Hodgkin lymphoma (cHL) in immunocompetent patients and sought proteins/pathways in ptHL that might have potential as therapeutic targets.


METHODS
Eight ptHL cases in solid organ recipients (mean patient age 36 years; mean duration between organ transplant and onset of ptHL 80 months) were phenotypically and genotypically analyzed and the results were compared with known phenotypic and molecular characteristics of cHL.


RESULTS
All ptHL expressed CD15, CD30 and LMP-1 of EBV; the B-cell markers BOB-1, Oct2, CD79a and CD20 were more commonly expressed in ptHL versus cHL (100%, 86%, 50% and 38% in ptHL compared to 6%, 14%, 10% and 33% in cHL, respectively); all ptHL expressed phosphoinositide 3-kinase (PI3K) versus 81% of cHL; 2/6 (33%) ptHL displayed gains at 9p24 that were similar to cHL (32%). The JAK2 downstream pSTAT3 slightly predominated in ptHL versus cHL (60% versus 50%). Clonal immunoglobulin gene rearrangements were found in 2/4 cases.


CONCLUSIONS
ptHL and cHL are closely related, but not identical, neoplasms, with the primary differences being the strict association with EBV infection, persistent phenotypic B-cell signature and high expression of PI3K as well as the slightly CD4-depleted but TIA-1/Granzyme B-enriched cellular background composition in ptHL.
Adams
Heiner
H
University of Basel, University Hospital Basel, Institute for Pathology, Schoenbeinstrasse 40, CH-4031 Basel, Switzerland.
Campidelli
Cristina
C
Dirnhofer
Stephan
S
Pileri
Stefano A
SA
Tzankov
Alexandar
A
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D015703:Antigens, CD / Q000235:genetics; D000970:Antineoplastic Agents / Q000494:pharmacology*; D005260:Female; D015972:Gene Expression Regulation, Neoplastic / Q000502:physiology; D006689:Hodgkin Disease / Q000139:chemically induced* / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000235:genetics*; D006801:Humans; D007165:Immunosuppression Therapy / Q000009:adverse effects*; D007166:Immunosuppressive Agents / Q000009:adverse effects*; D016030:Kidney Transplantation; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D055815:Young Adult
D015703:Antigens, CD; D000970:Antineoplastic Agents; D007166:Immunosuppressive Agents