Abstract
Loss of disialoganglioside 2 (GD2) expression in neuroblastoma (NB) bone marrow cells has been reported in rare cases. This study investigated prospectively the frequency and the patterns of visible GD2 loss at diagnosis, during treatment, and at recurrence. Bone marrow aspirates of patients with new or recurrent stage 4 and 4S NB diagnosed between January 1, 2002 and August 31, 2013 were investigated in parallel by cytology and GD2 immunocytology. Complete negative immunostaining was defined if staining was absent in all and partial if absent in a portion and/or in case of atypical faint staining. Of 1,261 investigated trial patients of all stages, 474 had unequivocal cytological bone marrow infiltration at initial diagnosis. Thirty-seven patients had tumor cells with complete or partial negative GD2 staining at initial diagnosis, nine during chemotherapy, and 11 at recurrence (altogether 12.0%). The percentage of GD2 negativity in stages 4 and 4S were similar (13% and 9%, respectively). Complete negativity was seen in 14 and partial in 43 cases. Twenty-one cases changed from positive to negative (15 to partial and six to complete) and three cases from negative to positive staining (two to partial and one to complete). The GD2 negative and positive groups were not different regarding tumor sites, molecular characteristics, histology, and tumor markers. Children with stage 4 and GD2 negativity tended to be older at diagnosis (42 vs. 32 months, P = 0.056). Event-free survival and overall survival comparing negative versus positive staining did not show any differences. Complete or partial lack of GD2 staining on NB cells in bone marrow is more frequent than currently recognized.
Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Disclaimer: 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.