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.
Laszlo
D
D
European Institute of Oncology, Milan, Italy. daniele.laszlo@ieo.it
Pruneri
G
G
Andreola
G
G
Radice
D
D
Calabrese
L
L
Rafaniello
P R
PR
Nassi
L
L
Sammassimo
S
S
Alietti
A
A
Agazzi
A
A
Vanazzi
A
A
Martinelli
G
G
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