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Hodgkin's lymphoma (HL) has a unique immunophenotype derived from immunohistochemistry (positive for CD15, CD30, and Pax-5; negative for CD3, CD20 in most cases, and CD45). The knowledge gained over recent years enables better diagnosis, prognosis, and treatment of HL. Flow cytometry as a tool for the diagnosis of classic HL has not been useful in the past due to the difficulty in isolating Reed-Sternberg cells as they are admixed in a rich inflammatory background which consists mainly of T cells, B cells, eosinophils, histiocytes, and plasma cells. However, in the recent past, several studies have tried to identify Reed-Sternberg cells using flow cytometry on fine needle aspiration or tissue biopsy of lymph nodes to confirm or supplement immunohistochemistry staining in diagnosis. Newer and more sensitive tools such as flow cytometry can be used for diagnosis, technology that may have been difficult in the past for diagnosis of this lymphoma subtype. Using flow cytometry, diagnosis is faster and could lead to point-of-care technology especially where we have typical immunophenotype signatures. © 2018 International Clinical Cytometry Society.

We report that human conventional CD15+ neutrophils can be isolated in the peripheral blood mononuclear cell (PBMC) layer during Ficoll gradient separation, and that they can impair T cell proliferation in vitro without concomitant neutrophil activation and killing. This effect was observed in a total of 92 patients with organ transplants, lung cancer or anxiety/depression, and in 18 healthy donors. Although such features are typically associated in the literature with the presence of certain myeloid-derived suppressor cell (PMN-MDSC) populations, we found that commercial centrifuge tubes that contained membranes or gels for PBMC isolation led to up to 70% PBMC contamination by CD15+ neutrophils, with subsequent suppressive effects in certain cellular assays. In particular, the suppressive activity of human MDSC should not be evaluated using lectin or microbead stimulation, whereas assays involving soluble or plate-bound antibodies or MLR are unaffected. We conclude that CD15+ neutrophil contamination, and associated effects on suppressor assays, can lead to significant artefacts in studies of human PMN-MDSC.

Objective. To report a case of a challenging oral diagnosis involving a primary diffuse large B cell lymphoma of the oral cavity mimicking a hyperplastic reactive lesion.Case Report. A 72-year-old male patient was referred to the Department of Stomatology presenting a proliferative nodular lesion in the anterior region of the mandible involving the anterior teeth. The clinical examination revealed anterior teeth affected by periodontal disease, suggesting the nodular cession hyperplastic reaction. Incisional biopsy was performed under local anesthesia. The histopathological examination revealed a diffuse proliferation of atypical large lymphoid cells. The tumor cells showed immunopositivity for CD20 and Ki67 (100%) and negativity for CD3, CD30, and CD15. The diagnosis of diffuse large B cell lymphoma was established. The patient underwent chemotherapy and progressed to death after nine months.Conclusion. Lymphomas of the oral cavity are rare and may have nonspecific clinical features, mimicking inflammatory and reactive lesions. Therefore, a detailed clinical evaluation associated with histopathological and immunohistochemical analysis should be performed to enable early and accurate diagnoses in suspected oral lesions.

Sarcopenia is the age-related loss of muscle mass, strength, and function. Although the role of human satellite cells (SCs) as adult skeletal muscle stem cells has been deeply investigated, little is known about the impact of aging on muscle interstitial stem cells. Here, we isolated the non-SC CD56- fraction from human muscle biopsies of young and elderly subjects. The elderly interstitial cell population contained a higher number of CD15+ and PDGFRα+ cells when compared to young samples. In addition, we found that the CD56- /ALP+ cells were well represented as a multipotent stem cell population inside the CD56- fraction. CD56- /ALP+ /CD15- cells were clonogenic, and since they were myogenic and expressed NG2, α-SMA and PDGFRβ can be considered mesoangioblasts (MABs). Interestingly, elderly MABs displayed a dramatic impairment in the myogenic differentiation ability in vitro and when transplanted in dystrophic immunodeficient Sgcb-null Rag2-null γc-null mice. In addition, elderly MABs proliferated less, but yet retained other multilineage capabilities. Overall, our results indicate that aging negatively impacted on the regenerative potential of MABs and this should be carefully considered for potential therapeutic applications of MABs. ispartof: Aging Cell vol:17 issue:2 ispartof: location:England status: published

Background. Colorectal cancer (CRC), the most common malignancy worldwide, causes inflammation. We explored the inflammatory pathophysiology of CRC by assessing the peripheral blood parameters. Methods. The differences in gene expression profiles of whole blood cells and cell subpopulations between CRC patients and healthy controls were analyzed using DNA microarray. Serum cytokine/chemokine concentrations in CRC patients and healthy controls were measured via multiplex detection immunoassays. In addition, we explored correlations between the expression levels of certain genes of peripheral CD4+ cells and serum chemokine concentrations. Results. The gene expression profiles of peripheral CD4+ cells of CRC patients differed from those of healthy controls, but this was not true of CD8+ cells, CD14+ cells, CD15+ cells, or CD19+ cells. Serum IL-8 and eotaxin-1 levels were significantly elevated in CRC patients, and the levels substantially correlated with the expression levels of certain genes of CD4+ cells. Interestingly, the relationships between gene expression levels in peripheral CD4+ cells and serum IL-8 and eotaxin-1 levels resembled those of monocytes/macrophages, not T cells. Conclusions. Serum IL-8 and eotaxin-1 concentrations increased and were associated with changes in the gene expression of peripheral CD4+ cells in CRC patients.

Urachal cancer (UrC) is a rare but aggressive cancer. Due to overlapping histomorphology, discrimination of urachal from primary bladder adenocarcinomas (PBAC) and adenocarcinomas secondarily involving the bladder (particularly colorectal adenocarcinomas, CRC) can be challenging. Therefore, we aimed to give an overview of helpful (immunohistochemical) biomarkers and clinicopathological factors in addition to survival analyses and included institutional data from 12 urachal adenocarcinomas. A PubMed search yielded 319 suitable studies since 1930 in the English literature with 1984 cases of UrC including 1834 adenocarcinomas (92%) and 150 nonadenocarcinomas (8%). UrC was more common in men (63%), showed a median age at diagnosis of 50.8 years and a median tumor size of 6.0 cm. No associations were noted for overall survival and progression-free survival (PFS) and clinicopathological factors beside a favorable PFS in male patients (p=0.047). The immunohistochemical markers found to be potentially helpful in the differential diagnostic situation are AMACR and CK34βE12 (UrC versus CRC and PBAC), CK7,β-Catenin and CD15 (UrC and PBAC versus CRC), and CEA and GATA3 (UrC and CRC versus PBAC). Serum markers like CEA, CA19-9 and CA125 might additionally be useful in the follow-up and monitoring of UrC.

Background Myeloid-derived suppressor cells (MDSCs) comprise a heterogeneous population of myeloid cells that are significantly expanded in cancer patients and are associated with tumor progression. Methods Multicolor flow cytometry was used to study the frequency, phenotype, and function of MDSCs in peripheral blood and freshly resected tumors of 52 participants with primary glioblastoma (GBM). Results The frequency of CD14(high)CD15(pos) monocytic and CD14(low)CD15(pos) granulocytic MDSCs was significantly higher in peripheral blood of GBM participants compared with healthy donors. The majority of granulocytic MDSCs consisted of CD14(low)CD15(high) neutrophilic MDSCs with high T-cell suppressive capacities. At the tumor side, we found an increase in CD14(high)CD15(pos) monocytic MDSCs and high frequencies of CD14(low)CD15(pos) granulocytic MDSCs that displayed an activated phenotype with downregulation of CD16 and upregulation of HLA-DR molecules, which did not inhibit T-cell proliferative responses in vitro. However, a strong association between granulocytic MDSCs and CD4(+) effector memory T-cells (TEM) within the tumors was detected. Tumor-derived CD4(+) TEM expressed high levels of PD-1 when compared with their blood-derived counterparts and were functionally exhausted. The respective ligand, PD-L1, was significantly upregulated on tumor-derived MDSCs, and T-cell co-culture experiments confirmed that glioma-infiltrating MDSCs can induce PD-1 expression on CD4(+) TEM. Conclusions Our findings provide a detailed characterization of different MDSC subsets in GBM patients and indicate that both granulocytic MDSCs in peripheral blood and at the tumor site play a major role in GBM-induced T-cell suppression.

The expansion of myeloid-derived suppressor cells (MDSCs) and its correlation with advanced disease stage have been shown in solid cancers. Here, we investigated the functional features and clinical significance of MDSCs in extranodal NK/T cell lymphoma (ENKL). A higher percentage of circulating HLA-DR−CD33+CD11b+ MDSCs was observed in ENKL patients than in healthy controls (P 60 %) and CD15+ granulocytic (PMN-MDSCs, 0.05). Interestingly, ENKL-MDSCs inhibited the secretion of IFNγ but promoted IL-10, IL-17 and TGFβ secretion as well as Foxp3 expression in T cells. The administration of inhibitors of iNOS, Arg-1 and ROS significantly reversed the suppression of anti-CD3-induced T cell proliferation by MDSCs (P

Background CD15, which is overexpressed on various cancers, has been reported as a cell adhesion molecule that plays a key role in non-CNS metastasis. However, the role of CD15 in brain metastasis is largely unexplored. This study provides a better understanding of CD15/CD62E interaction, enhanced by tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α), and its correlation with brain metastasis in non–small cell lung cancer (NSCLC). Methods CD15 and E-selectin (CD62E) expression was demonstrated in both human primary and metastatic NSCLC cells using flow cytometry, immunofluorescence, and Western blotting. The role of CD15 was investigated using an adhesion assay under static and physiological flow live-cell conditions. Human tissue sections were examined using immunohistochemistry. Results CD15, which was weakly expressed on hCMEC/D3 human brain endothelial cells, was expressed at high levels on metastatic NSCLC cells (NCI-H1299, SEBTA-001, and SEBTA-005) and at lower levels on primary NSCLC (COR-L105 and A549) cells (P < .001). The highest expression of CD62E was observed on hCMEC/D3 cells activated with TNF-α, with lower levels on metastatic NSCLC cells followed by primary NSCLC cells. Metastatic NSCLC cells adhered most strongly to hCMEC/D3 compared with primary NSCLC cells. CD15 immunoblocking decreased cancer cell adhesion to brain endothelium under static and shear stress conditions (P < .0001), confirming a correlation between CD15 and cerebral metastasis. Both CD15 and CD62E expression were detected in lung metastatic brain biopsies. Conclusion This study enhances the understanding of cancer cell-brain endothelial adhesion and confirms that CD15 plays a crucial role in adhesion in concert with TNF-α activation of its binding partner, CD62E.

Classical Hodgkin lymphoma (CHL) is a unique type of B-cell lymphoma defined by the presence of characteristic neoplastic cells, termed Hodgkin- and Reed-Sternberg cells, in an exuberant inflammatory background. CHL constitutes 15–20% of malignant lymphomas. Modern treatment modalities are able to cure the majority of patients. Despite the presence of clonal immunoglobulin gene rearrangements, the tumour cells lack a B-cell-specific expression program and show a phenotype devoid of most B-cell antigens, with CD30 and CD15 as characteristic markers. Although most cases of CHL can be diagnosed readily by morphology and a limited panel of immunohistochemical markers, a variety of malignant lymphomas and reactive conditions can imitate CHL, and true borderline cases with features intermediate between CHL and large B-cell lymphoma exist. This review summarizes the diagnostic criteria and relevant biological features of CHL and describes the most important differential diagnoses, including lymphocyte predominant Hodgkin lymphoma.

Seventy-eight melanoma patients and 10 healthy individuals were examined. Follow-up examinations of all melanoma patients were performed regularly every three months. Myeloid-derived suppressor cells (MDSC) were defined as lineage negative (CD3 − , CD19 − , CD56 − ), HLA-DR −/low , CD11b + and CD33 + . Classification of granulocytic (GrMDSC) and monocytic (MoMDSC) subsets was based on the CD15 and CD14 expression, respectively. Unlike the MoMDSC, that were present in 60% of healthy controls and 15% of melanoma patients, the GrMDSC were present in all examined participants, and the melanoma patients were found to have statistically higher frequencies compared with healthy controls. Accordingly, we kept focused on GrMDSC frequencies in relation to the melanoma stages and course of the disease. The GrMDSC values are highest in stage IV melanoma patients, with statistical significance compared with stages IA, IB, IIA and IIB. Patients with progression had statistically higher GrMDSC counts comparing with those with stable disease ( P = 0.0079). Patients who had progression-free interval (PFI) < 12 months showed significantly higher GrMDSC values compared with those with PFI > 12 months ( P = 0.0333). GrMDSC showed significant negative correlation with PFI intervals ( P = 0.0095). The GrMDSC subset was predominant in all our patients. We confirmed that GrMDSC do accumulate early in the peripheral blood of melanoma patients and their frequencies correlate narrowly with the clinical stage and the spread of the disease. The increase in GrMDSC frequencies correlates well with a progressive disease and could be considered a potential predictive biomarker of high-risk melanoma cases that are more likely to have a shorter PFI.

We report a rare case of oncocytic renal cell carcinoma (RCC) with tubulopapillary growth in the background of tuberculous end-stage kidney disease. Histology of the renal mass consisted of oncocytic cells forming solid, thin tubules and rare papillae. The tumor had abundant eosinophilic oncocytic cells containing occasional cytoplasmic Mallory body–like hyaline globules and a tiny focus of clear cells with intervening mature fat. Both the oncocytic cells and clear cells were immunoreactive for a-methylacyl-CoA racemase, vimentin, pancytokeratin, and CD10, and negative for transcription factor E3, CD15, human melanoma black 45, and c-kit. Mallory body–like hyaline globules were positive for CAM 5.2 and periodic acid–Schiff with or without diastase. Ultrastructurally, the tumor cells had abundant cytoplasmic mitochondria. The present case is a rare case of oncocytic RCC with tubulopapillary growth pattern. The case is unique in that the tumor was mixed with fat component, which is not common in RCC and thus can lead to misdiagnosis.

Lymphocyte-depleted classical Hodgkin lymphoma (LDCHL) is the rarest entity among the classical Hodgkin lymphoma (CHL) subtypes, accounting for

Diffuse malignant peritoneal mesotheliomas in children are uncommon, aggressive tumors with a grave prognosis. We herein report the clinical, radiologic, and pathologic findings of a 16-year-old male. The adolescent presented with a history of abdominal pain, nausea and daily, nonbilious, nonbloody emesis for 3 weeks. Radiographic imaging suggested small bowel obstruction. The diagnostic work-up and differential diagnoses are discussed. Histologically, the tumor was composed of epithelioid cells with a papillary and glandular architectural pattern. A few glands appeared to produce mucinous material. Histochemistry revealed PAS diastase resistant mucin, an inconspicuous finding in diffuse malignant peritoneal mesothelioma. An extensive immunohistochemistry panel (calretinin, WT-1, D2-40, CK 7, CAM 5.2, CK 5/6, CEA, B72.3, CK 20, CD10, CD30, CD15, CD117, PLAP, S100, TFE3, and EMA) confirmed the diagnosis. Of special interest, BAP1 staining was cytoplasmic and consistent with 3p deletion detected by conventional cytogenetics. The ultrastructural analysis demonstrated long microvilli, desmosomes, and intercellular junctions which further supported the diagnosis.

Cutaneous manifestation as the first sign of Hodgkin lymphoma (HL) is very rare and diagnostically challenging; especially, because the clinical presentation of specific skin involvement by HL is polymorphous. We present a 44-year-old man with erythematous indurate papules and plaques in the right forearm and arm where skin biopsy showed an HL. He also has an enlarged epitrochlear node, and later histopathologic study confirmed the diagnosis of HL subtype-mixed cellularity. Immunohistochemical stains in both biopsies showed that the atypical cells were positive for CD30 and CD15, and negative for CD20 and CD3. PAX5 stained the nuclei of the atypical large lymphoid cells weakly and Oct-2 staining was negative in the atypical cells. EBER and LMP1 protein were negative in both biopsies. Epitrochlear involvement in HL, like in our case, is a rare event (

The aim of this study was to better define, by immunohistochemistry, the molecular markers of renal stem/progenitor cells localized in the different niches of ten human preterm kidneys with gestational age ranging from 11 up to 25 weeks. Our data evidence the existence of multiple stem/progenitor pools in different zones of the human developing kidney that are characterized by different phenotypes: capsular stem cells were EMA (MUC1)+, MDM2+, Vimentin+ and Wnt1+; progenitors of the sub-capsular nephrogenic zone were MDM2+ and Wnt1+; cap mesenchymal cells were EMA (MUC1)+, CD15+, vimentin+, Wt1+, CD10+, Bcl2+, Wnt1+ and PAX2+; interstitial progenitor cells were Vimentin+, Wt1+ and α1Anti-tripsin+. Our data evidence the existence of multiple stem/progenitor cell pools in the fetal and neonatal human kidney. Progenitors of these different pools are characterized by a peculiar phenotype, indicating a different differentiation stage of these renal progenitors. A better knowledge of the molecular markers expressed by renal stem/progenitors might represent a relevant datum for researchers involved in renal regenerative medicine.

This study addresses the potentialities of flow cytometry in analyzing the composition of circulating hemocyte populations in the ascidian Halocynthia aurantium (Pallas, 1787) both using monoclonal antibodies (mAbs) against some human leukocyte conservative adhesion molecules and without mAbs. Flow cytometry, based on the assessment of forward and side scattering revealed five hemocyte populations. From the wide panel of antibodies against human leukocyte adhesion molecules (CD15, CD29, CD34, CD54, CD62L, CD62P, CD90, CD94, CD117, CD 166), only two mAbs (against CD54, CD90) displayed cross-reactivity with the H. aurantium hemocyte surface antigens. Distribution patterns of these antigens across the hemocyte populations have been analyzed.

Glioma stem-like cells (GSCs) could have potential for tumorigenesis, treatment resistance, and tumor recurrence (GSC hypothesis). However, the mechanisms underlying such potential has remained elusive and few ultrastructural features of the cells have been reported in detail. We therefore undertook observations of the antigenic characteristics and ultrastructural features of GSCs isolated from human glioblastomas. Tumor spheres formed by variable numbers of cells, exhibiting a variable appearance in both their size and shape, were frequently seen in GSCs expressing the stem cell surface markers CD133 and CD15. Increased cell nucleus atypia, mitochondria, rough endoplasmic reticulum, coated vesicles, and microvilli, were noted in the GSCs. Furthermore, cells at division phases and different phases of the apoptotic process were occasionally observed. These findings could imply that GSCs have certain relations with human neural stem cells (NSCs) but are primitively different from undifferentiated NSCs. The data may provide support for the GSC hypothesis, and also facilitate the establishment of future glioblastoma treatments targeting GSCs.

Acquired expression of CD30 is frequently noted in histological transformation of mycosis fungoides (MF), but simultaneous gain of CD15 accompanied with loss of pan-T-cell antigens are extremely rare. We report an unusual case of transformed MF with such an immunophenotypic alteration resembling classical Hodgkin lymphoma. The patient was an 81-year-old male with MF, who was initially treated with topical steroids and phototherapy. Despite the initial response, the patient developed a tumor-like skin lesion that was confirmed to be CD30-positive large T-cell lymphoma and was subsequently found to have a regional lymph node involvement by pleomorphic large cell lymphoma. Besides CD30, pleomorphic large cells were positive for CD15 but negative for all B cell- and T cell-specific antigens. Epstein-Barr virus was negative. Polymerase chain reaction-based assays demonstrated a clonal rearrangement of T-cell receptor gamma gene but detected no B-cell clone. The mechanism and clinical significance of this phenotypic conversion remains to be elucidated.

Papillary carcinoma is the most common thyroid malignancy. As the cytological diagnosis of papillary carcinoma is not difficult in patients with the usual type of lesion, fine-needle aspiration (FNA) cytology is an effective method for preoperative evaluation. However, this modality is often ineffective in identifying the follicular variant of papillary thyroid carcinoma (FVPTC) due to its similarity to other follicular lesions and the incompleteness of typical nuclear features. Therefore, we investigated the expression of immunocytochemical markers of papillary carcinoma in cytological specimens of FVPTC and evaluated their utilities. The immunoreactivity of HBME-1 and CD15 was investigated using 50 imprint smear cytological specimens obtained from thyroid lesions, including 13 FVPTC. The sensitivity and specificity of HBME-1 for FVPTC were 92% and 89%, respectively, while those of CD15 were 23% and 100%, respectively. In conclusion, HBME-1 is a sensitive marker of papillary carcinoma, including both usual type and FVPTC, in cytological specimens. Therefore, using HBME-1 immunocytochemistry in FNA cytology will lead to reduction of the incidence of false-negative diagnoses of FVPTC. Although CD15 is apparently inferior in terms of sensitivity for FVPTC, its excellent specificity will support the definitive diagnosis of thyroid malignancies, including FVPTC, after screening with HBME-1.

We have scrutinized a previously analyzed cohort of classical Hodgkin lymphoma patients for evidence of a CD20 over-expression. This was pursued in order to determine whether all the 24 (12.6%) CD20+++ patients had clinical and/or biological profiles which would warrant a separate consideration and treatment or would carry a different outcome from our 166 CD20 (-) classical Hodgkin lymphoma patients. Except for an older age and a significantly lower expression of non-sialyl-CD15 antigen, both previously described in classical Hodgkin lymphoma, no justification to exclude these CD20+++ patients from the cohort at large is apparent. We suggest that the generally accepted view to the contrary be revised. In addition, we propose alternative interpretations for the low expression of CD20 found in a majority of Hodgkin-Reed-Sternberg cells in classical Hodgkin lymphoma.

Nodular lymphocyte-predominant Hodgkin lymphoma (NLPHL) is characterized by nodular or nodular and diffuse growth of scattered large neoplastic B cells associated with follicular dendritic cell (FDC) meshworks. Variant patterns, which at least focally show a T-cell-rich background, and rare cases lacking FDC meshworks that overlap with T-cell/histiocyte-rich large B-cell lymphoma (THRLBCL) are also recognized. We reviewed 195 cases spanning the diagnostic spectrum of NLPHL and THRLBCL and identified 5 cases with distinctive features that were difficult to classify according to the World Health Organization criteria or previously described variants. Clinically, they involved peripheral and central lymph node sites or the mediastinum, and the majority also had recurrent disease. Four cases showed large T-cell-rich nodules with fibrosis, and 1 showed diffuse THRLBCL-like pattern with a minor component of nodularity. All cases completely lacked FDC meshworks despite a prominent nodular growth pattern. Large atypical cells in all cases were CD20+ CD30- CD15- B cells, although a small subset (

Background Histiocytoid Sweet syndrome (HSS) is a rare variant of Sweet syndrome (SS). The nature of histiocytoid cells is still uncertain. Objective We sought to offer a comprehensive overview on clinical features of HSS and further information on immunohistochemical phenotype of the infiltrate. Methods The clinical, histologic, and immunohistochemical features of 12 of our patients with HSS and all cases retrieved through a PubMed search were analyzed. Results Lesions consisted of erythematous-violaceous papules and plaques, randomly distributed mostly on the trunk and the limbs. Three patients had myelodysplastic syndrome and 1 had a monoclonal gammopathy. The infiltrate was mainly composed of CD68 + CD163 + myeloperoxidase + myeloid cell nuclear differentiation antigen + CD117 − CD15 − CD34 − , a phenotype suggestive of M2-like macrophages. A few mature neutrophils and lymphocytes were also present. Review of all HSS cases showed no sex predominance and no extracutaneous infiltrates; inconstant presence of fever and blood neutrophilia; association with hematologic or solid neoplasms (26%), autoimmune conditions (12%), and infectious diseases (10%); and good response to steroid treatment, with rare relapses or recurrences. Limitations The study includes a limited case series. The pathogenesis of the disease remains to be clarified. Conclusions HSS lesions are infiltrated mostly by M2-like macrophages. The clinical features present more similarities than differences with SS.

The presence of CD30-expressing Hodgkin-like cells with a background of inflammation and eosinophils in a young adolescent is usually diagnostic of classical Hodgkin lymphoma. Herein we present the case of a 12-year-old boy presenting with enlarged cervical lymph node characterized by the presence of Hodgkin-like cells expressing CD30 and EBV-LMP1 with a Hodgkin-like background. The Hodgkin-like cells were negative for CD15, CD20, CD45, and Pax-5. The tumor cells, however, expressed several cytokeratins, confirming the diagnosis of an undifferentiated carcinoma nasopharyngeal type. This case highlights the importance of possessing a high index of suspicion when encountering lymph nodes with Hodgkin-like cells and a Hodgkin-like background, even with CD30 expression, as the differential can include undifferentiated carcinoma nasopharyngeal type.

Hodgkin lymphoma represents approximately 4% of childhood (0–14 years old) malignancies and 15% of adolescent (15–19 years old) malignancies [1]. Bimodal incidence peaks in adolescent and adult age ranges [2]. The Reed-Sternberg cell, CD15+/CD30+, is a key histologic feature in classic subtypes (nodular sclerosing, lymphocyte-rich, lymphocyte-depleted, and mixed cellular) but not nodular lymphocyte predominant Hodgkin lymphoma (NLPHL). Association with Epstein-Barr virus is highly variable (~30 to 40% in immunocompetent pediatric classical Hodgkin lymphoma, 80% + in immunocompromised patients) [3]. The radiation dose range in major North American trials has been 19.8–25.5 Gy in 1.5–1.8 Gy daily fractions, however, higher doses of 30 Gy are being employed among patients with imcomplete response following chemotherapy and in relapse studies.

Gliomas are the most malignant and aggressive form of brain tumors, and account for the majority of brain cancer related deaths. Malignant gliomas, including glioblastoma are treated with radiation and temozolomide, with only a minor benefit in survival time. A number of advances have been made in understanding glioma biology, including the discovery of cancer stem cells, termed glioma stem cells (GSC). Some of these advances include the delineation of molecular hetereogeneity both between tumors from different patients as well as within tumors from the same patient. Such research highlights the importance of identifying and validating molecular markers in glioma. This review, intended as a practical resource for both clinical and basic investigators, summarizes some of the more well-known molecular markers (MGMT, 1p/19q, IDH, EGFR, p53, PI3K, Rb, and RAF), discusses how they are identified, and what, if any, clinical relevance they many have, in addition to discussing some of the specific biology for these markers. Additionally, we discuss identification methods for studying putative GSC’s (CD133, CD15, A2B5, Nestin, ALDH1, Proteasome activity, ABC transporters, and Label-retention). While much research has been done on these markers, there is still a significant amount that we do not yet understand, which may account for some conflicting reports in the literature. Furthermore, it is unlikely that the investigator will be able to utilize one single marker to prospectively identify and isolate GSC from all, or possibly, any gliomas.

Chronic Granulomatous Disease (CGD) is an inherited immunodeficiency disorder affecting the microbicidal function of the phagocytes. It is characterized by susceptibility to recurrent infections leading to significant morbidity and mortality. Antibacterial and antifungal prophylaxis though has significantly reduced the rate and severity of the infections; the breakthrough infections still remain a challenge. Currently allogenic hematopoietic stem cell transplantation is the only curative option which is very expensive and unavailable for many due to lack of suitable donor. Thus, prenatal diagnosis (PND) forms an important component of management in the affected families. PND is challenging in families approaching late in pregnancy with an uncharacterized molecular defect. In such cases, PND can be performed by analysis of NADPH activity of fetal blood (FB) neutrophils at 18 to 20 weeks of gestation. Cord blood samples at 18 weeks of gestation from healthy control were used to establish normal ranges for NBT and DHR. PND was offered for six pregnancies (NBT: n=3, DHR: n=6) with index cases of CGD confirmed by abnormal NBT and DHR analysis. NBT and DHR tests were found to be negative for all the six cases, confirming the same on samples post-delivery. NBT and DHR tests offer a rapid and sensitive PND of CGD in the absence of facilities for molecular diagnosis. It was observed that addition of CD15 along with CD45 led to an accurate DHR analysis. It is recommended to perform the diagnosis with adequate precautions only at centers with considerable experience and expertise in the diagnosis of CGD. This article is protected by copyright. All rights reserved.

Objectives The global health status of older patients with cancer influences their clinical course, but little is known regarding the influence of the immune system on the global health of older patients with cancer. The goal of this study was to assess the relationships between patient fitness/frailty status and survival, and the local tumour immune environment of older patients with breast cancer. Materials and Methods In a cohort of 58 older patients with breast cancer (over 70 years of age), fluorescence microscopy was used to investigate whether levels of intra-tumoural T cells (CD3+) and granulocytic cells (CD15+) could predict clinical outcome, and/or whether they correlated with patient physical and mental performance as evaluated by comprehensive geriatric assessment. Results We observed that patients with higher levels of intra-tumoural T cells were fitter according to a number of clinical health measures including G8 (p = 0.006), Karnofsky Index (p = 0.0372), and Leuven Oncology Frailty Score (LOFS) (p = 0.0187). In contrast, high relative levels of granulocytic cells were found in patients with poorer clinical health (LOFS, p = 0.0474). Furthermore, high levels of T cells but not granulocytic cells were associated with longer breast cancer-specific survival (p = 0.0444). Conclusions This is the first study to show that low relative levels of intra-tumoural T cells are associated with inferior patient fitness. In contrast to T cells, we observed that intra-tumoural granulocytic cells displayed an inverse relationship with patient performance. Further research is needed to determine whether boosting the level of intra-tumoural T cells in older non-fit patients can result in improved outcome.

Purpose To explore the role of CD15 expression in the prognosis of clear cell renal cell carcinoma (ccRCC) in Chinese patients. Methods The study included 301 patients who had undergone surgery for localized ccRCC. All paraffin-embedded tumor sections were collected to make a set of tissue microarrays. CD15 expression was assessed by immunohistochemistry. The relationship between CD15 expression and survival parameters, clinicopathology features was assessed. Kaplan-Meier and Cox proportional hazards model were utilized to determine the correlation between CD15 expression and overall survival (OS). Results The median follow-up time was 54.6 months (range, 3-121 months). The positive rate of CD15 expression was 81.7% (246/301). The cut-off value of CD15 expression was defined as the maximum for Youden index by plotting the receiver operating characteristic curve for survival status. As the threshold was 0.5, all cases were divided into two groups: positive expression group and negative expression group. In correlation analysis, loss of CD15 expression was correlated with female gender, higher Fuhrman nuclear grade, with sarcomatoid differentiation, with necrosis, and with vascular invasion. Kaplan-Meier analysis indicated that the OS time of patients with loss of CD15 expression was shorter than that of patients with positive CD15 expression (P = 0.013). Conclusion CD15 is a significant prognostic factor in clear cell renal cell carcinoma.

One of the major difficulties in identifying the cell of origin for glioblastoma is the complex cellular composition of this disease. It is now hypothesized that the different subtypes of high-grade glioma may have different cell of origin and in mouse models it has been shown that the cell of origin resides within the progenitor populations. To identify the cell of origin in human GBM we decided to first dissect out the various stages of CNS stem cell differentiation in fetal and adult human brain. After a functional high throughput screen, we identified a panel of four antibodies (i.e CD15, Notch1, EGFR, and CD90) that in various combinations can separate long-term self-renewing multi-potent neural stem cells (NSCs: Lin-CD15+Notch1+EGFR-CD90-) from multi-potent progenitors with limited self-renewal capacity (NPC: Lin-CD15+Notch1+EGFR+CD90+) from non-neoplastic human fetal and adult Brain (sub-ventricular zone). FACS sorted cells were analyzed for single cell lineage multi-potentiality, lineage bias and self-renewal to trace and characterize their lineage relationships. In surgical human glioblastoma samples, however we observed in-vivo tumor initiating and in-vitro tumorsphere-forming frequency was predominant in the progenitor cells and not in the neural stem cells. Interestingly we did observe a small frequency of NSC cells forming distinct lesions in the brain, which on further analysis showed the presence of both the neural stem cells and Glioma stem cells, where as the tumor initiating enriched population (GSC: Lin-CD15+Notch1+EGFR-CD90-) did not show the presence of neural stem cells but only tumor initiating NPCs. In-vivo limiting dilution transplantation and serial transplantation confirmed the Lin-CD15+Notch1+EGFR-CD90- to have the highest frequency of self renewing cells compared to other populations. Taken together our data suggests the presence of “normal” or pre-malignant stem cells in glioblastoma, which suggests a possible mechanism of relapse. Using Transcriptome analysis and targeted sequencing of known mutations we identify the signal transduction and genomic events (PTEN point mutations vs Deletions) which distinguish pre-malignant neural stem cells from the tumor initiating glioma stem cells. We further show a significant enrichment of the protein translational machinery as cells transition from pre-malignant to tumor initiating cells. These pre-malignant cells comprise a cellular reservoir that needs to be targeted to prevent tumor relapse. Grants: SSM: Seibel Fellowship and Ludwig Cancer Center, ILW: National Institutes of Health, Ludwig Cancer Center, SHC: Stanford Child Health Research Institute, St Baldrick’s Foundation and Ludwig Cancer Center

Background: Primary mediastinal lymphoma is an uncommon tumor. Hodgkin's lymphoma (HL), primary mediastinal B-cell lymphoma (PMBCL), and T-lymphoblastic lymphoma are the most common primary mediastinal lymphomas. Key morphological and immunohistochemistry (IHC) features play a very crucial role in diagnosis as well as further categorization. Materials and Methods: In this study, the morphological spectrum and histological features of 32 cases of primary mediastinal lymphomas diagnosed over 5 years were studied and morphological and IHC features of PMBCL versus HL were compared. Features of PMBCL were also compared against a control group of systemic diffuse large B-cell lymphoma. Results: Although PMBCL and HL are known to show overlapping morphological features, it was observed that presence of clear cells and compartmentalizing fibrosis in PMBCL; and classical Reed–Sternberg cells and dense inflammatory background in HL are important morphological clues while evaluating the biopsies. PMBCL showed diffuse, strong and uniform CD20 positivity; whereas CD30 showed focal/patchy, weak to moderate and heterogeneous expression, wherever found positive. As against this, HL showed diffuse, strong and uniform CD30 positivity; and focal/patchy, weak to moderate and heterogeneous CD20 expression, if found positive. CD20, CD3, and CD30 were sufficient in most of the cases while diagnosing PMBCL and HL. Conclusion: This study emphasizes the critical examination of IHC markers. Only positive expression in neoplastic cells is not sufficient to make a diagnosis, equal importance should be given to percentage, intensity, pattern, and type of positivity. Apart from basic IHC described above; CD15, leukocyte common antigen and fascin played an important role in differentiating HL and PMBCL in select doubtful cases.

Classical Hodgkin lymphoma (cHL) typically involves lymph node parenchyma, and a case with Hodgkin cells confined within nodal sinusoids is extremely rare. Herein we report a case of cHL with a sinusoidal growth pattern. This 15-year old patient presented with B symptoms and was found to have bilateral cervical lymphadenopathy and an anterior mediastinal mass. Biopsy of a cervical lymph node demonstrated cohesive clusters of Reed-Sternberg (RS)-like cells suggestive of sinusoidal growth with an extrasinusoidal mixed inflammatory cell infiltrate characteristic of the microenvironment seen in cHL. The RS cells/variants were positive for CD30 and CD15, and showed down-regulation of B-cell program and CD45, an immunophenotypic profile consistent with cHL. The sinusoidal growth pattern was also highlighted by EBV staining. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first case of EBV-positive cHL that displays a sinusoidal growth pattern. The patient was treated with children's high risk cHL chemotherapy protocol and responded well.

Tao He,1–3,* Tianming Qiu,4,* Xiaodong Wang,5 Hongxing Gui,6 Xilong Wang,2 Qikuan Hu,3,7 Hechun Xia,2 Gaoyang Qi,1,2 Jinsong Wu,4 Hui Ma2 1Clinical Medicine College, Ningxia Medical University, 2Department of Neurosurgery, General Hospital of Ningxia Medical University, 3Ningxia Key Laboratory of Cerebrocranial Diseases, The National Key Laboratory Incubation Base, Yinchuan, 4Department of Neurosurgery, Huashan Hospital, Shanghai Medical College, Fudan University, Shanghai, 5Department of Radiology, General Hospital of Ningxia Medical University, Yinchuan, People’s Republic of China; 6Department of Neuroscience and Cell Biology, Robert Wood Johnson Medical School of Rutgers University, Piscataway, NJ, USA; 7Department of Physiology, Ningxia Medical University, Yinchuan, People’s Republic of China *These authors contributed equally to this work Objective: This study investigated the correlation between choline/creatine (Cho/Cr) ratios determined by multivoxel proton magnetic resonance spectroscopy (1H-MRS) and the distribution of cancer stem-like cells (CSLCs) in high-grade gliomas. Patients and methods: Sixteen patients with high-grade gliomas were recruited and underwent 1H-MRS examination before surgery to identify distinct tumor regions with variable Cho/Cr ratios. Using intraoperative neuronavigation, tumor tissues were accurately sampled from regions with high and low Cho/Cr ratios within each tumor. The distribution of CSLCs in samples from glioma tissue regions with different Cho/Cr ratios was quantified by neurosphere culture, immunohistochemistry, and Western blot. Results: The mean neurosphere formation rate in tissues with high Cho/Cr ratios was significantly increased compared with that in low Cho/Cr ratio tissues (13.94±5.94 per 100 cells vs 8.04±3.99 per 100 cells, P

A icterícia por hiperbilirrubinemia indireta afeta mais de 60% dos recém-nascidos a termo. O tratamento, quando necessário, é realizado através da fototerapia. Não existem estudos na literatura avaliando os efeitos da fototerapia na função dos neutrófilos de recém-nascidos. O melhor entendimento da função dos neutrófilos nos recém-nascidos antes e após a fototerapia seria importante para avaliar as possíveis repercussões na expressão dos neutrófilos desencadeadas pelo tratamento fototerápico. O objetivo deste estudo foi avaliar e comparar a função dos neutrófilos, através da mensuração pela citometria de fluxo da expressão dos principais marcadores de superfície em recémnascidos ictéricos, antes e após 24 horas de fototerapia. Metodologia: Foram incluídos recém-nascidos com idade gestacional ≥ 35 semanas e peso de nascimento ≥ 2000g, que possuiam critérios da Academia Americana de Pediatria para tratamento fototerápico. Os critérios de exclusão foram: mal-formações congênitas, síndromes com alterações cromossômicas, erro inato do metabolismo, infecções do grupo STORCH, asfixia neonatal, sepse ou suspeita de sepse, exsanguineotransfusão, transfusão de hemocomponentes e uso de imunoglobulina. Foi realizada a avaliação de expressão da intensidade média de fluorescência (IMF) de CD10, CD11b, CD11c, CD15, CD16, CD18, CD62L, CD64 e CD66, antes do início e após 24 horas do início da fototerapia. Foram utilizados o teste T de Student para análise dos dados. Resultados: Foram incluídos 25 recém-nascidos no estudo, com idade mediana de 53 (27.5-75.5) horas de vida e bilirrubina média de 13.6±2.85 mg/dL. Não houve diferença estatística na expressão de CD11b, CD15, CD18, CD62L, CD64 e percentual de neutrófilos antes e após 24 horas de fototerapia. Ocorreu aumento da expressão de CD10 8 (p=0.038) e CD16 (p=0.017) e redução da expressão de CD11c (p=0.023) e CD66acde (p=0.004) após 24 horas de fototerapia. Conclusão: Os recém-nascidos submetidos ao tratamento fototerápico apresentaram aumento da expressão de CD10 e de CD16 e diminuição da expressão de CD11c e de CD66acde após 24 horas de exposição, que pode estar relacionado a um efeito antiinflamatório da fototerapia nos recém-nascidos expostos a este tratamento. Jaundice due to indirect hyperbilirubinemia affects more than 60% of term neonates. The treatment when necessary is carried out using phototherapy. There are no studies in the literature evaluating the effect of phototherapy on the function of neonates' neutrophils. A better understanding of the function of neutrophils in neonates before and after phototherapy would be important in order to assess potential effects on the expression of neutrofils triggered by the phototherapy treatment. The aim of this study was to assess and compare the function of neutrophils by measuring the expression of the main surface markers in icteric neonates, using flow cytometry, before and after 24 hours of phototherapy. Methodology: Neonates at a gestational age ≥ 35 weeks and at a birth weight ≥ 2000g who met the criteria of the American Academy of Pediatrics for phototherapy were included. The exclusion criteria were: congenital malformations, syndromes with chromosomal alterations, inborn errors of metabolism, infections of the STORCH group, neonatal asphyxia, sepsis or suspicion of sepsis, exchange transfusion, transfusion of blood components, and use of immunoglobulin. The evaluation of the MFI expression of CD10, CD11b, CD11c, CD15, CD16, CD18, CD62L, CD64 and CD66 was performed before and 24 hours after the initiation of phototherapy. The chi-square and Student T tests were used for data analysis. Results: Twenty-five neonates were included in the study at the mean age of 53 (27.5- 75.5) hours of life and with a mean bilirubin level of 13.6±2.85 mg/dL. There was no statistical difference in the expression of CD11b, CD15, CD18, CD62L, CD64 and percentage of neutrophils before and after 24 hours of phototherapy. There was an increase in the expression of CD10 (p=0.038) and CD16 (p=0.017) and a reduction in 10 the expression of CD11c (p=0.023) and CD66acde (p=0.004) after 24 hours of phototherapy. Conclusion: The newborns submitted to phototherapy had increased expression of CD10 and CD16 and decreased expression of CD11c and CD66acde after 24 hours of exposure, which may be related to an anti-inflammatory effect of phototherapy on the neonates exposed to this treatment.

Both human leukocyte antigen-G (HLA-G) and myeloid-derived suppressor cells (MDSCs) was associated with the pathogenesis of infectious diseases. Whether peripheral MDSCs express HLA-G during virus infection remains unknown. We investigated the frequency of HLA-G+ MDSCs and its subsets in patients infected with chronic hepatitis B (CHB). In this study, frequencies of peripheral MDSCs (Lin1-HLA-DR-CD33+CD11b+) and HLA-G expressing subsets from 50 CHB patients and 27 normal controls were analyzed using flow cytometry. Data revealed the median percentage of MDSCs was not significantly different between the CHB patients and controls (0.30% vs. 0.29%; p=0.884). Among MDSCs, similar frequency was observed for CD14+ monocytic MDSC (mMDSCs; 31.25% vs. 23.35%; p=0.063) and CD15+ granulocytic MDSC (gMDSCs; 22.60% vs. 21.55%; p=0.558) between the two groups. However, HLA-G+ MDSCs was significantly increased in CHB patients compared with that of controls (3.30% vs. 0.50%; p

Primary cutaneous follicle center lymphoma (PCFCL) is the most frequent cutaneous B-cell lymphoma. A 62-year-old man presented with a solitary indolent subcutaneous nodule for 3 years duration, without other abnormalities. Histological examination showed lymphoproliferation with a nodular growth pattern characterized by fibrous collagen bands surrounding nodules. The nodules were composed of medium-sized centrocytes admixed with many large multilobulated and lacunar cells without eosinophils or granulomatous aspect. Hodgkin-like cells were CD30+, CD15+, PAX5+, OCT2+, BOB1+, MUM1+, Ki67+, Bcl6+ and focally CD20+ and EMA-, CD79a-, Bcl2- and CD10-. The medium-sized cells were CD20+, CD79a+, Bcl2+, Bcl6+ and CD10+, enmeshed in a network of CD21-positive follicular dendritic cells. Epstein-Barr virus detection was negative. Interphase fluorescence in situ hybridization showed the absence of BCL2 or BCL6 rearrangement. In such a case, the presence of Hodgkin-like cells intermixed with the tumor population may result in a pitfall diagnosis of classical Hodgkin lymphoma (CHL). Differential diagnoses to be ruled out are secondary or primary skin localization of rather CHL, or systemic follicular lymphoma. Several clinical, radiological, histological, immunohistochemical and molecular arguments indicated the diagnosis of PCFCL. To our knowledge, this is the first report of PCFCL with Hodgkin-like cells.

Anaplastic large cell lymphoma has histopathologic features that necessitate a broad differential diagnosis. Diagnostic considerations include carcinoma, melanoma, and hematopoietic malignancies, including diffuse large B-cell lymphoma, classical Hodgkin lymphoma, myeloid sarcoma, and peripheral T-cell lymphoma, not otherwise specified. Unusual features can include subtle sinusoidal involvement, histiocytic morphology, cytokeratin expression, CD15 expression, and variant patterns of anaplastic lymphoma kinase expression. Cases with unusual morphologic or immunohistochemical findings will be presented to highlight the complexity encountered in practice.

It is of common knowledge that most leukemic patients succumb to infectious complications beside dysfunction in proliferation/differentiation of hematopoietic cells . Recently, it has been shown by several groups that there is a locus specific HLA class I downregulation in the leukemic cells. However, the HLA status of the phenotypically/morphologically normal granulocytes which can cope up with the infectious complications are not known. Therefore it may be worthwhile to study the HLA status in these cell types. We, therefore, investigated the status of HLA-ABC and HLA-DR in the CD15 + granulocytes and observed a higher expression of HLA-DR in several leukemic samples in comparison to normal volunteers (NV). Our data also suggest that only CD15 + granulocytes of myeloid leukemia, a clonal stem cell disorder, have a tendency of decreased HLA class Ia antigen expression. Moreover CD15 + granulocytes of NV showed an enhanced HLA-DR expression in presence of leukemic cells. Interestingly, CD15 + granulocytes collected from normal volunteers were observed to have phagocytic oxidative burst activity towards HLA class Ia downregulated primary leukemic cells. We therefore suggest that neutrophil transplantation may be used for the treatment of leukemia.

Nodular lymphocyte predominant Hodgkin lymphoma (NLPHL) is an uncommon variant of classical Hodgkin lymphoma. It is characterized histologically by presence of lymphohistiocytic cells which have B-cell phenotype, are positive for CD19, CD20, CD45, CD79a, BOB.1, Oct.2, and negative for CD15 and CD30. Patients often present with early stage of disease and do not have classical B symptoms. The clinical behavior appears to mimic that of an indolent non-Hodgkin lymphoma more than that of classical Hodgkin disease. The purpose of the present report is to define the biology of NLPHL, review its clinical presentation, and summarize the available clinical data regarding treatment.

The author reports an extremely rare case of atypical carcinoid of the pleura expressing KIT. An 81-year-old Japanese man with emphysema was found to have a mass (3×3×2 cm) in the left parietal pleura by various imaging modalities. Video-assisted tumorectomy was performed, but could not excise it completely. Histologically, the tumor was composed of atypical cells arranged in trabecular, ribbon-like, and rosette patterns. Mitotic figures and necrosis were present. The tumor cells were argyrophil. Immunohistochemically, the tumor cells were positive for pancytokeratins, cytokeratin (CK) 18, chromogranin (focal), p53, KIT, and Ki67 (labeling=17%). In contrast, the tumor cells were negative for CK5/6, CK7, CK19, CK20, CK34βE12, epithelial membrane antigen, vimentin, S100-protein, α-smooth muscle actin, desmin, CEA, TTF-1, CDX-2, AFP, HepPar-1, synaptophysin, CD56, CA19-9, CD15, neuron specific enolase, serotonin, CD34, platelet-derived growth factor-α, calretinin, thrombomodulin, WT-1, B72.3, and D2-40. The pathologic diagnosis was atypical carcinoid of the pleura. The patient was examined by whole body computed tomography, magnetic resonance imaging, and positron emission tomography, but there were no tumors other than the pleural tumor. Endoscopic examinations including upper and lower gastrointestinal tract revealed no tumors. Therefore, the pleural tumor was thought to be primary. Ten months later, the patient developed metastatic lesions in the vertebular and femoral bones, and died of respiratory failure. Autopsy was not performed. To the best of the author's knowledge, there are no cases of primary carcinoid in the pleura in the English literature. This case is also interesting in that the atypical carcinoid expressed KIT.

Nodular lymphocyte-predominant Hodgkin lymphoma (NLPHL) and classical Hodgkin lymphoma (CHL) are classified separately because of their distinct clinical and pathologic features. Whereas Epstein-Barr virus (EBV) is detected in the neoplastic cells of 25% to 70% of CHL, NLPHL is generally considered to be EBV(-). We assessed EBV status in 302 pediatric and adult cases of NLPHL. A total of 145 pediatric (age 18 y or younger) and 157 adult cases of NLPHL were retrieved from 3 North American centers and tested for EBV by in situ hybridization (EBV-encoded small RNA). Clinical and pathologic features were analyzed. Five (3.4%) pediatric and 7 (4.5%) adult NLPHL cases contained EBV(+) lymphocyte-predominant (LP) cells. Although all 12 cases met the criteria for diagnosis of NLPHL, atypical features were present, including capsular fibrosis, atrophic germinal centers, and pleomorphic or atypical LP cells. CD20 and OCT-2 were strongly and diffusely positive in all except 1 case. However, PAX5 and CD79a were weak and/or variable in 7/8 and 6/6 cases tested, respectively. EBV(+) cases were more likely to be CD30(+) (75%) compared with EBV(-) cases (25%) (P=0.0007); CD15 was negative in all cases. Our results show that EBV(+) LP cells may occur in NLPHL. Distinguishing EBV(+) NLPHL from CHL can be challenging, as EBV(+) NLPHL can have partial expression of CD30 and weak PAX5 staining as well as pleomorphic-appearing LP cells. However, the overall appearance and maintenance of B-cell phenotype, with strong and diffuse CD20 and OCT-2 expression, support the diagnosis of NLPHL in these cases.

The vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) pathway is a clinically validated antiangiogenic target for non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC). However, some contradictory results have been reported on the biological effects of antiangiogenic drugs. In order to evaluate the efficacy of these drugs in NSCLC histological subtypes, we analyzed the anticancer effect of two anti-VEGFR2 therapies (sunitinib and DC101) in chemically induced mouse models and tumorgrafts of lung adenocarcinoma (ADC) and squamous cell carcinoma (SCC). Antiangiogenic treatments induced vascular trimming in both histological subtypes. In ADC tumors, vascular trimming was accompanied by tumor stabilization. In contrast, in SCC tumors, antiangiogenic therapy was associated with disease progression and induction of tumor proliferation. Moreover, in SCC, anti-VEGFR2 therapies increased the expression of stem cell markers such as aldehyde dehydrogenase 1A1, CD133, and CD15, independently of intratumoral hypoxia. In vitro studies with ADC cell lines revealed that antiangiogenic treatments reduced pAKT and pERK signaling and inhibited proliferation, while in SCC-derived cell lines the same treatments increased pAKT and pERK, and induced survival. In conclusion, this study evaluates for the first time the effect of antiangiogenic drugs in lung SCC murine models in vivo and sheds light on the contradictory results of antiangiogenic therapies in NSCLC.

Myeloid-derived suppressor cells (MDSCs) represent a heterogeneous population of cells with immunosuppressive properties and might confer to worse prognosis in cancer patients. The presence of phenotypically newly described subpopulations of MDSCs and their association with the clinical outcome were investigated in non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) patients. The percentages and correlation between MDSCs and distinct immune cells in the peripheral blood of 110 chemotherapy-naive patients before treatment and healthy controls were investigated using flow cytometry. Two monocytic [CD14+CD15−CD11b+CD33+HLA-DR−Lin−and CD14+CD15+CD11b+CD33+HLA-DR−Lin−] and a granulocytic [CD14−CD15+CD11b+CD33+HLA-DR−Lin−] subpopulations of MDSCs were identified, expressing inducible nitric oxide synthase, and reactive oxygen species, respectively. Increased percentages of both monocytic-MDSCs’ subpopulations were inversely correlated to dendritic/monocyte levels(P≤0.04), while granulocytic-MDSCs were inversely correlated to CD4+T cells(P=0.006). Increased percentages of monocytic-MDSCs were associated with worse response to treatment(P=0.02)and patients with normal levels of CD14+CD15+CD11b+CD33+HLA-DR−Lin−had longer overall survival and progression free-survival compared to those with high levels(P=0.008andP=0.005, resp.). Multivariate analysis revealed that the increased percentages of CD14+CD15+CD11b+CD33+HLA-DR−Lin−MDSCs were independently associated with decreased progression free-survival and overall survival. The data provide evidence that increased percentages of new monocytic-MDSCs’ subpopulations in advanced NSCLC patients are associated with an unfavourable clinical outcome.

Anaplastic lymphoma kinase (ALK)–negative anaplastic large cell lymphoma (ALCL) is a subtype of T-cell lymphomas that may mimic several other malignancies morphologically. With the help of immunohistochemistry, most cases of ALCL can be diagnosed on the basis of expression of T-cell lineage associated antigens. However, aberrations in the expression of immunohistochemical markers pose diagnostic challenges. The morphological and immunophenotypic features of ALCL show considerable overlap with classical Hodgkin lymphoma (CHL), which is a B-cell lymphoma. The 2008 World Health Organization Classification of Tumours of Haematopoietic and Lymphoid Tissues suggests that staining for the B-cell transcription factor, paired box 5 (PAX-5), is helpful in differentiating between them, as it is weakly positive in most CHL and should be negative in ALCL. We report a rare case of ALK-negative ALCL, which was positive for PAX-5 and CD15, mimicking CHL by immunohistochemistry, resulting in a diagnostic dilemma.

Summary Hodgkin’s lymphoma (HL) is a tumor comprising non-malignant and malignant B-cells. Classical HL expresses CD15+ and CD30+ antigens, and 20 to 40% of patients are CD20+. This antigen is a ligand free protein present in B lymphocyte cells and its function is not well known. Some studies suggest that expression of CD20 may play a major role in Hodgkin’s disease pathophysiology and may affect the patients’ treatment prognosis, as well as relapse and refractory response. In the past few years, development of monoclonal anti-CD20 antibodies changed drastically the treatment for non-Hodgkin lymphomas in which CD20 is expressed. HL treatment is essentially composed of radiotherapy and chemotherapy; however, monoclonal anti-CD20 antibodies applicability is not well delimitated due to lack of information about clinical outcomes with anti-CD20 monotherapy or combined drug therapy using a classic regimen, as well as about CD20 pathophysiology mechanisms in B-cells tumors. The objective of our review is to discuss CD20 function in Hodgkin’s lymphoma development, its influence on disease evolution and outcomes, as well as its effects on therapeutics and patients’ prognostic.