Abstract
To evaluate the quantity of tumor-associated macrophages (TAMs) in cases of Hodgkin Lymphoma of classical type (cHL), and to reveal possible associations between TAM intensity and latent Epstein-Barr virus (EBV) infection, overall survival, progression-free survival, prognostic indices, and clinicopathological parameters. A total 46 cases of cHL with complete clinical records were selected and re-evaluated histopathologically. Staining for CD68 (PG-M1; KP1 clones) and CD163 was evaluated and the cut-off values were defined. Also, all cases were evaluated using the chromogen in situ hybridization (CISH) method with EBER (Epstein-Barr virus-encoded RNA) probes for the presence of possible EBV infection. It was found that high expression levels of PG-M1 and high International Prognostic Scores (IPS) were associated with shortened overall survival (p=0.047, p=0.013). Cases with 2 or less areas of nodal region involvement were observed to have longer progression-free survival period (p=0.043). Higher expression levels of CD68 PG-M1, CD68 KP1, and CD163 were found to show significant associations with the presence of some clinical parameters such as the presence of B symptoms, spleen involvement, and the presence of EBV infection. Our findings suggest that increase of PG-M1+ TAM is associated with shortened overall survival, while higher expressions of all immunohistochemical markers are statistically significantly associated with the presence of EBV infection and clinical parameters mentioned above. These findings indicate that highlighting the TAM rate via macrophage markers in cases of cHL could be helpful in determining the prognostic risk groups and the relevant results should be mentioned in pathology reports.
Highlights
Hodgkin Lymphoma (HL) makes up 0.6% of all malignancies and 10% of lymphomas [1], and differs from other malignant neoplasms for by its clinical presentation and because it contains very few neoplastic cells (Hodgkin/Reed Sternberg (HRS) cells) in an inflammatory cell-rich background [2]
It was found that high expression levels of PG-M1 and high International Prognostic Scores (IPS) were associated with shortened overall survival (p=0.047, p=0.013)
Our findings suggest that increase of PG-M1+ tumor-associated macrophages (TAMs) is associated with shortened overall survival, while higher expressions of all immunohistochemical markers are statistically significantly associated with the presence of Epstein-Barr virus (EBV) infection and clinical parameters mentioned above
Summary
Hodgkin Lymphoma (HL) makes up 0.6% of all malignancies and 10% of lymphomas [1], and differs from other malignant neoplasms for by its clinical presentation and because it contains very few neoplastic cells (Hodgkin/Reed Sternberg (HRS) cells) in an inflammatory cell-rich background [2]. It has been considered that this inflammatory background is an important factor in tumor progression and prognosis in some hematologic malignancies such as follicular lymphoma and Hodgkin Lymphoma of the classical type (cHL) [3,4,5]. To highlight prognostic factors and risk groups, many studies have been performed up to now by different teams, such as the German Hodgkin Lymphoma Study Group (GHSG), the European Organization for Research and Treatment of Cancer (EORTC), the National. It has been revealed that reactive inflammatory cells in the microenvironment of the involved tissue enhance the proliferative capacity and anti-apoptotic features of HRS cells, and there has been an increase in the number of studies on biological markers since the1980s. While some of the other studies dealing with the same issue have claimed that an increase in the number of TAM causes a decrease in overall survival and could be used as a new marker in evaluating risk groups [4, 5], some others (Turk Patoloji Derg 2021, 37:130-138)
Sign-in/Register to view highlights & summary Sign-in/Register to access full text options 
Free) 
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 call
