Tissue microarrays in diffuse large B-cell lymphomas: are they really able to identify distinct prognostic groups in lymphomas of both nodal and extranodal origin?
OBJECTIVE
Diffuse large B-cell lymphomas (DLBCL) can be divided into different subgroups (germinal center B-cell-like [GCB] and non-GCB) according to their gene expression profiles. Immunohistochemistry has been proposed as a surrogate for identifying these subgroups, but data about its efficacy in providing prognostic information are conflicting.


RESULTS
This study retrospectively analyzed a series of 105 DLBCL, defined as GCB and non-GCB according to CD10, bcl-6, and MUM1 expression. All patients received a first-line anthracycline-based (CHOP-like) chemotherapy. A total of 50 patients (48%) were identified as GCB and 55 (52%) as non-GCB. The overall response rate was 89% (94/105), with 62 (59%) complete response. Disease progressions were equally distributed between the 2 subgroups and were not significantly different (P = .756) considering the primary site of involvement (nodal or extranodal). The median follow-up was 62 months (range 5-126 months). Overall survival at 5 years was not significantly different between the groups (P = .3468) and was 72.3% and 66.6% for GCB and non-GCB, respectively.


CONCLUSIONS
The results do not support the prognostic value of GCB and non-GCB immunohistochemical categories in DLBCL of both nodal and extranodal origin. Furthermore, a limited number of antigens may be not sufficient to identify the same patterns defined by cDNA microarray. Prospective studies are warranted to address this issue.
European Institute of Oncology, Milan, Italy. daniele.laszlo@ieo.it
D
D
Laszlo
G
G
Pruneri
G
G
Andreola
D
D
Radice
L
L
Calabrese
P R
PR
Rafaniello
L
L
Nassi
S
S
Sammassimo
A
A
Alietti
A
A
Agazzi
A
A
Vanazzi
G
G
Martinelli
D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D000971:Antineoplastic Combined Chemotherapy Protocols / Q000627:therapeutic use; D014408:Biomarkers, Tumor / Q000378:metabolism; D003520:Cyclophosphamide / Q000627:therapeutic use; D004317:Doxorubicin / Q000627:therapeutic use; D018858:Germinal Center / Q000378:metabolism / Q000473:pathology*; D006801:Humans; D007150:Immunohistochemistry / Q000379:methods*; D007558:Italy / Q000453:epidemiology; D016403:Lymphoma, Large B-Cell, Diffuse / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000378:metabolism / Q000401:mortality; D008875:Middle Aged; D009367:Neoplasm Staging; D011241:Prednisone / Q000627:therapeutic use; D011379:Prognosis; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D015996:Survival Rate; D046888:Tissue Array Analysis; D014750:Vincristine / Q000627:therapeutic use; D055815:Young Adult
D014408:Biomarkers, Tumor; D014750:Vincristine; D004317:Doxorubicin; D003520:Cyclophosphamide; D011241:Prednisone