Expert second-opinion pathology review of lymphoma in the era of the World Health Organization classification.

BACKGROUND: The World Health Organization (WHO) classification of hematologic malignancies, published in 2000, was designed to improve diagnostic accuracy by incorporating the latest in scientific understanding. The impact of the WHO classification on the frequency of diagnostic discrepancy in lymphoma is unknown. METHODS: We reviewed all second-opinion pathology of lymphoma at our National Cancer Institute-designated Comprehensive Cancer Center (NCI-CCC) from January to June 2001 and from January to June 2006. Discrepancies between submitted and second-opinion diagnoses were scored based upon an a priori grading schema. RESULTS: Major diagnostic revision was rendered in 65 of 365 cases (17.8%) in 2001 and 58 of 354 (16.4%) in 2006 (P=NS). Including cases reviewed and revised beforehand at another NCI-CCC, rates of major diagnostic revision were 21.4% and 18.6%, respectively (P=NS). Discrepancy rates varied by diagnosis, from Hodgkin lymphoma (10%) to Burkitt's lymphoma (75%). No association was seen for age, gender, race/ethnicity, biopsy type, or nature of referring center. CONCLUSIONS: Clinically meaningful diagnostic revision occurs frequently with expert pathology review for a diagnosis of lymphoma. Despite the WHO classification, rates of diagnostic revision at our institution in 2001 and 2006 did not differ significantly. Given the potential harm from misdiagnosis, expert hematopathology review should be considered the standard of care.

Prognostic value of immunohistochemical profile and response to high-dose methotrexate therapy in primary CNS lymphoma.

Several biomarkers have been identified as prognostic factors in primary central nervous system lymphoma (PCNSL). However, the correlation between the histogenetic origin of PCNSL and the response to therapy is still unclear. To elucidate the utility of immunophenotypic markers in predicting clinical outcomes, we investigated 27 immunocompetent patients with PCNSL treated with high-dose methotrexate therapy. Of the 27 patients, 25 received whole-brain radiotherapy after high-dose methotrexate. Immunostaining for CD5, CD10, BCL-6, and MUM-1 was used to determine the immunophenotypic profile of diffuse large B-cell lymphoma of PCNSL. We then evaluated whether immunophenotypic markers were associated with the response to therapy or patients' survival. The response to induction high-dose methotrexate therapy was determined by magnetic resonance imaging after three courses of i.v. high-dose methotrexate. We categorized B-cell lymphomas into three known subtypes: germinal center B-cell (GCB), activated-GCB, and post-GCB subtypes according to immunohistochemical profile. All the BCL-6-positive samples were co-positive for MUM-1 and therefore classified into activated-GCB subtype. BCL-6 expression in this study was associated with poor progression-free survival (P = 0.038). No immunophenotypic markers or subtypes had a significant effect on the response to high-dose methotrexate therapy. However, the response itself was a significant predictor for both progression-free survival (P < 0.001) and overall survival (P = 0.003). Further investigation is needed to assess BCL-6 as a potential prognostic factor in PCNSL.

Developing curcumin into a viable therapeutic for lymphoma.

BACKGROUND: Emerging evidence suggests that natural plant ingredients have played an important role in the healthcare of many countries. Several of these natural plant products possess therapeutic potential for various diseases including cancer. Curcumin is the pigment of turmeric, a well-known chemopreventive agent that has been shown to suppress the proliferation of a wide variety of tumor cells, including lymphoma. Curcumin has been shown to have cancer chemopreventive potential against a variety of tumors via targeting key survival pathways that are aberrantly activated in cancer cells. METHODS: This review discusses therapeutic potential of curcumin in malignancies of lymphoma as well as therapeutic implications of the recent advances in the field. RESULTS/CONCLUSION: Dietary-compound curcumin hardwires to multiple cellular processes. Suppression of cell proliferation, induction of apoptosis, and inhibition of metastasis are considered to be the major mechanisms underlying its anticancer properties.

Genomic alterations of anaplastic lymphoma kinase may sensitize tumors to anaplastic lymphoma kinase inhibitors.

Selective kinase inhibitors have had a substantial impact on the field of medical oncology. Whereas these agents can elicit dramatic clinical responses in some settings, their activity is generally limited to a subset of treated patients whose tumor cells harbor a specific genetic lesion. We have established an automated platform for examining the sensitivity to various molecularly targeted inhibitors across a large panel of human tumor-derived cell lines to identify additional genotype-correlated responses that may be clinically relevant. Among the inhibitors tested in a panel of 602 cell lines derived from a variety of human cancers, we found that a selective inhibitor of the anaplastic lymphoma kinase (ALK) potently suppressed growth of a small subset of tumor cells. This subset included lines derived from anaplastic large cell lymphomas, non-small-cell lung cancers, and neuroblastomas. ALK is a receptor tyrosine kinase that was first identified as part of a protein fusion derived from a chromosomal translocation detected in the majority of anaplastic large cell lymphoma patients, and has recently been implicated as an oncogene in a small fraction of non-small-cell lung cancers and neuroblastomas. Significantly, sensitivity in these cell lines was well correlated with specific ALK genomic rearrangements, including chromosomal translocations and gene amplification. Moreover, in such cell lines, ALK kinase inhibition can lead to potent suppression of downstream survival signaling and an apoptotic response. These findings suggest that a subset of lung cancers, lymphomas, and neuroblastomas that harbor genomic ALK alterations may be clinically responsive to pharmacologic ALK inhibition.

Linfomas cutáneos primarios: Parte I / Primary cutaneous lymphomas: Part I

Realizamos una revisión de la bibliografía sobre los linfomas cutáneos primarios tomando como base la nueva clasificación donde EORTC y OMS aunaron conceptos y criterios para ella. Destacamos que los linfomas cutáneos de células T tienen una mayor agresividad, tienen tendencia a lesiones más generalizadas y agresivas, y dentro de los más frecuentes del grupo se encuentran la micosis fungoide con todas sus variantes y el síndrome de Sézary. El linfoma T paniculítico con fenotipo alfa/beta debe ser considerado como tal, siendo la forma gamma/delta CD4- y CD8- con coexpresión CD56 incluido en la categoría de linfoma T gamma/delta. Los linfomas cutáneos de células B son menos agresivos y sus lesiones tienen preferencia por la zona de cabeza y cuello. En ellos se debe investigar por serología, infecciones previas, en especial por Borrelia burgdorferi. Las nuevas aclaraciones sobre los diferentes linfomas B, principalmente en los primarios difusos y en los perifoliculares, facilita la elección de una terapéutica más o menos agresiva. Se avanza cada día más en el estudio de estas patologías, debiéndose realizar un estudio exhaustivo clínico y laboratorial donde se incluya el estudio inmunohistoquímico e inmunogenético, sin los cuales no se llega a realizar un acertado diagnóstico. Cada entidad definida como linfoma tiene como característica el hecho de presentar un inmunofenotipo, un inmunogenotipo y un conjunto de anormalidades moleculares que la hacen diferenciable de otro tipo de linfoma, lo que permite diagnosticarlo, estadificarlo y predecir su comportamiento biológico. Múltiples terapéuticas en uso y/o en fase de investigación cambiarán en un futuro cercano la evolución de los linfomas cutáneos primarios. Podemos mencionar los anticuerpos monoclonales. Los anti CD20 (rituximab) son los más efectivos y los más estudiados. Dentro de otros se encuentran ya en estudios avanzados alemtuzumab (anti CD52), epratuzumab (anti CD22), apolizumab (anti HLA-DR) y galiximab...(AU)

We have a bibliographic revision of primary cutaneous limphomas using the EORTC and WHO new classification in order to unify concepts. Cutaneous T cell like lymphomas (C+CL) have a higher aggressiveness with a generalized and aggressive tendency; being the most frecuents all varieties of micosys fungoide (MF) and Sézary sindrome. Those lymphomas with a/ß phenotype must be estrictly considered as a subcutaneous panniculiticlike + cell lymphoma; and those with ?/d phenotype as +/NK cell lymphoma; wich has a very agressive clinical course. Cutaneous B cell lymphomas are less aggressive and its lesions are preferably situated in head and neck, in this cases previous infections must be investigated, specially Borrelia burgdoferi infections. The new classifications of diferents B lymphomas, principally betwen primary cutaneous and folliculars, facilitates the selection of a correct therapy. The study of these pathologies advances every day. It is very important to include immunihistochemical, immunogenetic and immunophenotype studies so as rech bo the correct diagnosis and classification of the lymphomas. New therapies and new combination of therapies will offer a promising future.(AU)

Linfomas cutáneos primarios: Parte I / Primary cutaneous lymphomas: Part I

Realizamos una revisión de la bibliografía sobre los linfomas cutáneos primarios tomando como base la nueva clasificación donde EORTC y OMS aunaron conceptos y criterios para ella. Destacamos que los linfomas cutáneos de células T tienen una mayor agresividad, tienen tendencia a lesiones más generalizadas y agresivas, y dentro de los más frecuentes del grupo se encuentran la micosis fungoide con todas sus variantes y el síndrome de Sézary. El linfoma T paniculítico con fenotipo alfa/beta debe ser considerado como tal, siendo la forma gamma/delta CD4- y CD8- con coexpresión CD56 incluido en la categoría de linfoma T gamma/delta. Los linfomas cutáneos de células B son menos agresivos y sus lesiones tienen preferencia por la zona de cabeza y cuello. En ellos se debe investigar por serología, infecciones previas, en especial por Borrelia burgdorferi. Las nuevas aclaraciones sobre los diferentes linfomas B, principalmente en los primarios difusos y en los perifoliculares, facilita la elección de una terapéutica más o menos agresiva. Se avanza cada día más en el estudio de estas patologías, debiéndose realizar un estudio exhaustivo clínico y laboratorial donde se incluya el estudio inmunohistoquímico e inmunogenético, sin los cuales no se llega a realizar un acertado diagnóstico. Cada entidad definida como linfoma tiene como característica el hecho de presentar un inmunofenotipo, un inmunogenotipo y un conjunto de anormalidades moleculares que la hacen diferenciable de otro tipo de linfoma, lo que permite diagnosticarlo, estadificarlo y predecir su comportamiento biológico. Múltiples terapéuticas en uso y/o en fase de investigación cambiarán en un futuro cercano la evolución de los linfomas cutáneos primarios. Podemos mencionar los anticuerpos monoclonales. Los anti CD20 (rituximab) son los más efectivos y los más estudiados. Dentro de otros se encuentran ya en estudios avanzados alemtuzumab (anti CD52), epratuzumab (anti CD22), apolizumab (anti HLA-DR) y galiximab...

We have a bibliographic revision of primary cutaneous limphomas using the EORTC and WHO new classification in order to unify concepts. Cutaneous T cell like lymphomas (C+CL) have a higher aggressiveness with a generalized and aggressive tendency; being the most frecuents all varieties of micosys fungoide (MF) and Sézary sindrome. Those lymphomas with a/ß phenotype must be estrictly considered as a subcutaneous panniculiticlike + cell lymphoma; and those with ?/d phenotype as +/NK cell lymphoma; wich has a very agressive clinical course. Cutaneous B cell lymphomas are less aggressive and its lesions are preferably situated in head and neck, in this cases previous infections must be investigated, specially Borrelia burgdoferi infections. The new classifications of diferents B lymphomas, principally betwen primary cutaneous and folliculars, facilitates the selection of a correct therapy. The study of these pathologies advances every day. It is very important to include immunihistochemical, immunogenetic and immunophenotype studies so as rech bo the correct diagnosis and classification of the lymphomas. New therapies and new combination of therapies will offer a promising future.

[Cutaneous neoplasms]. / Neoplasien der Haut.

The skin is the organ most commonly affected by malignancies. Various cancers of the skin show a dramatic increase in incidence over the last decades. Epithelial skin tumors are most frequently, e.g., basal cell carcinoma and the squamous cell carcinoma with its precursors, the actinic keratoses. Melanoma, which is extremely difficult to treat in advanced tumor stages, is dreaded. Besides that, there are other epithelial malignant diseases, e.g. Morbus Bowen and adnexal tumors originating from the skin appendices. Mesenchymal malignant neoplasias such as Morbus Kaposi, angiosarcomas and other dermal sarcomas, are rare. Since the majority of malignant neoplasms is removable and curable by a simple surgical intervention, the knowledge of the different skin tumors is essential for non-dermatologist.

Stage is a better prognostic indicator than morphologic subtype in primary noncutaneous T-cell lymphoma.

The authors reviewed 28 primary noncutaneous T-cell lymphomas, referred to the Comprehensive Cancer Center Amsterdam, using the updated Kiel classification. Clinical course was related with stage of disease, morphologic subtype, and immunophenotype of the tumor cells. The incidence of primary noncutaneous T-cell lymphomas was 4.1 cases per 1,000,000 people per year. Morphologic classification was difficult and arbitrary. Immunohistochemistry contributed considerably in diagnosis of this group of tumors. All primary noncutaneous T-cell lymphomas had a poor prognosis, with no significant difference between predominantly small cell (low-grade) and large cell (high-grade) tumors. The only parameter significantly correlating with survival was the stage of the disease at presentation. The results suggest that all types of primary noncutaneous T-cell lymphoma are to be considered high grade and that primary localization (cutaneous vs. noncutaneous) and stage of disease at presentation appear to be more important as predictors of clinical outcome than morphologic or immunophenotypic subtype.

Malignant lymphoma of the gastrointestinal tract and mesentery. A clinico-pathologic study of the significance of histologic classification. NHL Study Group of the Comprehensive Cancer Center West.

A series of 92 malignant lymphomas of the gastrointestinal tract and mesentery obtained from a population-based registry was studied to assess whether the newly defined concept of mucosa-associated lymphoma has clinical relevance. The cases were grouped according to localization; gastric, intestinal, and mesenteric lymphoma. All cases were reviewed histologically, graded according to the Working Formulation, and reclassified according to the Kiel classification, which was modified to include the categories low- and high-grade mucosa-associated lymphoma. Clinical data, as well as staging and follow-up data, were related to both the original diagnosis and the diagnosis after reclassification. The results showed that the distribution of the types of lymphoma is related to site: centroblastic lymphoma was predominant in the stomach, lymphoblastic in the bowel, and follicular centroblastic-centrocytic in the mesentery. Gastrointestinal lymphoma was disseminated in approximately 50% of the patients at presentation. Survival analysis revealed that classification according to the original Kiel classification and grading according to the Working Formulation provided important prognostic information, whereas introduction of mucosa-associated lymphoma as an entity did not. It was concluded that modification of current classifications to include a separate category for mucosa-associated lymphoma is not useful.