Abstract
Classical Hodgkin lymphoma (CHL) is a B-cell lymphoproliferative disorder with a relatively good prognosis. A small but significant percentage of patients, however, will respond poorly to therapy. A recent gene expression profiling study has identified a macrophage signature which has been correlated with primary treatment failure, and immunohistochemical tissue microarray for CD68 was shown to reflect the gene signature as a potentially clinically useful marker to predict adverse prognosis.We examined 44 cases of CHL, mostly nodular sclerosis subtype, in which the immunohistochemical stains for the histiocytic markers CD68 and CD163 were performed. The staining intensity was graded for each stain (< 5, 5-25, and > 25 percent of cells positive in the Hodgkin cell (HC) rich nodules) and background staining characteristics were recorded.CD163 staining was lower than CD68 in HC rich nodules, with lower background staining (p 0.03). There was no significant difference between either CD68 or CD163 and disease recurrence in a subset (N = 41) of cases.In conclusion, we demonstrate that CD163 staining is lower than CD68, with less non-specific staining of background inflammatory cells and Hodgkin cells, therefore is a better marker for tumor associated macrophages. However, we did not identify a correlation between staining for CD68 or CD163 and recurrence of disease.Virtual slidesThe virtual slide(s) for this article can be found here:http://www.diagnosticpathology.diagnomx.eu/vs/1460518258831620
Highlights
Classical Hodgkin lymphoma is a B cell lymphoma with a relatively good prognosis
We demonstrate that CD163 staining is lower than CD68, with less non-specific staining of background inflammatory cells and Hodgkin cells, is a better marker for tumor associated macrophages
CD68 showed more variability in staining within the same tissue, with grade 3 staining in some nodules and grade 1 staining in adjacent HRS rich nodules (Figure 1c)
Summary
Classical Hodgkin lymphoma is a B cell lymphoma with a relatively good prognosis. The cellular microenvironment has been extensively studied and plays an important part in the pathogenesis of Hodgkin lymphoma. Tissue microarray studies have proven useful in the study of Hodgkin lymphoma [2,3,4], in which the neoplastic cells are relatively few compared with the highly cellular inflammatory and stromal background. Several studies have used gene expression profiles to study the microenvironment in classical Hodgkin lymphoma [5,6,7]. Tumor associated macrophages have been associated with disease status in non-hematologic malignancies [8]. A macrophage gene profile in classical Hodgkin lymphoma was identified in two studies, and was associated
Sign-in/Register to view highlights & summary Sign-in/Register to access full text options 
Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a callDisclaimer: All third-party content on this website/platform is and will remain the property of their respective owners and is provided on "as is" basis without any warranties, express or implied. Use of third-party content does not indicate any affiliation, sponsorship with or endorsement by them. Any references to third-party content is to identify the corresponding services and shall be considered fair use under The CopyrightLaw.
