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Angiogenesis is a prerequisite for solid tumor growth, but there is relatively limited data regarding Hodgkin lymphoma. The purpose of this study was to examine the immunohistochemical expression of angiogenic and proliferation markers in Hodgkin biopsies in relation to clinical parameters. Immunostaining was performed on 65 Hodgkin biopsies with vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF), hypoxia inducible factor-1 alpha (HIF-1alpha), platelet-derived growth factor receptor alpha (PDGFRalpha), Ki-67, and p53. Microvessel density (MVD) was determined by CD31 staining. In all cases, neoplastic cells and reactive background cells were evaluated. The neoplastic population expressed VEGF in 48% of the cases, HIF-1alpha in 54% of the cases, and PDGFRalpha in 95% of the cases. Both Ki-67 and p53 were positive in neoplastic cells in over 60% of the cases. The MVD had a median of 2.6/0.0625mm(2) which was not different from normal lymph nodes. VEGF in the non-neoplastic compartment showed increased staining in Ann Arbor stage I-II versus III-IV. In conclusion, VEGF, HIF-1alpha, and predominantly PDGFRalpha are expressed in neoplastic cells in the majority of Hodgkin lymphomas. As microvessel formation is not increased in Hodgkin, additional functions of these angiogenic molecules should be investigated.

Good's syndrome is the association of thymoma with immunodeficiency, characterized by hypogammaglobulinaemia, depleted B-cells, diminished T-cells and inversion of the CD4/CD8 ratio. The initial clinical presentation is either with a mass lesion-thymoma that is usually benign, or with recurrent infections due to immunodeficiency. Thymectomy usually favourably affects associated conditions, such as pure red cell aplasia, but does not improve hypogammaglobulinaemia, thus the patient remains dependent on intravenous immune globulin and prone to infections. Infections usually affect the respiratory and/or the gastrointestinal tract. Common respiratory, opportunistic, and eventually life-threatening infections may occur. Moreover, patients with Good's syndrome may present other haematological conditions. We report 3 cases with long follow-up, sharing some common manifestations of the syndrome, but also showing unique features. The principal features of this rare syndrome are further discussed.