Fascin expression in CD30-positive cutaneous lymphoproliferative disorders

BACKGROUND: CD30-positive cutaneous lymphoproliferative disorders (LPD) represent a spectrum of diseases ranging from low-grade (lymphomatoid papulosis; LyP) to high-grade (pleomorphic and anaplastic large-cell lymphoma; PTL, ALCL) with overlapping morphologic and immunophenotypic features. The common phenotypic hallmark is the expression of CD30-antigen by the tumor cells which morphologically resemble Reed-Sternberg cells. Although LyP is a non-fatal recurring disorder, it is associated with systemic lymphomas including Hodgkin's lymphoma (HL), mycosis fungoides (MF) and ALCL in 5-20% of the cases. Currently there is no marker to predict the development of systemic lymphomas in patients with LyP. Fascin, an actin bundling protein, has recently been shown to be a unique marker found in almost 100% of classical HL. METHODS: Because of the association of LyP with HL, fascin expression was analyzed by immunohistochemistry in LyP (n = 45), cutaneous CD30+ ALCL (n = 17) and pleomorphic T-cell lymphoma (n = 9) (PTL) and LyP associated with systemic lymphomas (7 HL, 2 ALCL, 1 MF), with the intent to determine if fascin expression can predict disease progression. RESULTS: Fascin was expressed by tumor cells in 11/45 (24%) cases of LyP, 11/17 (64%) cases of ALCL, 7/9 (77%) cases of PTL and 6/10 (60%) cases of LyP associated with systemic lymphomas. Fascin expression in LyP was significantly less frequent than in ALCL (p < 0.001) and also than in LyP associated with lymphomas (p < 0.05). There was no significant difference of fascin expression within the histological subtypes of LyP. We found no evidence of ALK expression nor of Epstein-Barr virus expression in any case either by in situ hybridization or immunohistochemistry in the LyP cases associated with HL. CONCLUSIONS: This is the first study to demonstrate that fascin is expressed in cutaneous CD30+ LPD and that it is a candidate marker of disease progression in LyP.     

Primary cutaneous CD30+ lymphoproliferative disorders

Primary cutaneous CD30⁺ lymphoproliferative disorders are the second most common group of cutaneous T‐cell lymphomas (CTCL) and include lymphomatoid papulosis (LyP) and primary cutaneous anaplastic large T‐cell lymphoma (cALCL). Both disease entities share overlapping clinical, histopathological, and molecular features, thus representing a spectrum of cutaneous CD30⁺ lymphoproliferative disorders. LyP may be distinguished from cALCL by clinicopathological correlation. In some patients, both diseases may coexist at initial diagnosis or develop over the course of the disease. Mycosis fungoides (MF), the most common CTCL, is not considered a primary cutaneous CD30⁺ lymphoproliferative disorder, but may occur in some LyP patients. In addition, LyP‐like lesions may develop in MF patients. However, this is frequently a manifestation of MF rather than a representation of two different disease entities. Caution also has to be taken in the setting of transformed MF with lesions expressing CD30, as they may be mistaken for either LyP or cALCL, resulting in an inadequate therapeutic approach.     

原发性皮肤CD30+淋巴细胞增殖性疾病进展

原发性皮肤CD30^＋淋巴细胞增殖性疾病包括原发性皮肤间变性大细胞淋巴瘤、淋巴瘤样丘疹病和一些临界性肿瘤，构成疾病谱系。这些疾病的共同特点是肿瘤细胞表达CD30抗原。这类疾病预后较好．故选择治疗方法时需权衡积极治疗的短期疗效与潜在副作用间的利弊关系。CD30^＋细胞也可在其他疾病中见到，CD30^＋免疫组化结果应结合临床综合分析。     

Apoptosis in CD30-positive lymphoproliferative disorders of the skin

The spectrum of CD30-positive cutaneous lymphoproliferative disorders (CD30+ CLPD) includes lymphomatoid papulosis (LyP), primary cutaneous CD30+ large T-cell lymphoma (LTCL) and rare borderline patients. Despite their malignant histopathology, CD30+ CLPD exhibit a low-grade malignant course with an excellent prognosis and a characteristic tendency for spontaneous regression. Apoptosis of tumour cells is considered a principal mechanism of tumour regression. We examined the proliferation and apoptosis rates as well as the expression of apoptosis-related proteins in various clinical entities, tumour cell lines and evolutional (evolving and regressing) stages of CD30+ CLPD. Skin biopsies of LyP (n = 20) and LTCL (n = 19) and five CD30+ lymphoma cell lines were analysed by means of immunohistochemistry and Western blotting in order to evaluate the proliferation (Ki67), apoptosis (FragEl) and expression of Bax, Bcl-x, C-kit and Mcl-1. A significantly higher apoptotic index (AI) was found in LyP (AI = 12.5%) than in LTCL (AI = 3.1%, P < 0.005). Bax was expressed by the majority of tumour cells in all forms of CD30+ CLPD and CD30+ cell lines. However, no Bax expression was found in tumour cell lines derived from systemic CD30+ lymphomas, which lack spontaneous regression and display an aggressive clinical course. No significant correlation was found between the expression of apoptosis-related proteins and the tumour type and evolutional stage of CD30+ CLPD. We conclude that the higher AI in LyP may contribute to the regression of LyP lesions and the excellent prognosis of the disease. Pro-apoptotic protein Bax is expressed at high levels in CD30+ CLPD and may play a crucial role in mediating apoptosis of tumour cells.     

Potential involvement of Notch1 signalling in the pathogenesis of primary cutaneous CD30-positive lymphoproliferative disorders

Background  The central role of Notch signalling in T‐cell development and oncogenesis raises the question of the importance of this pathway in cutaneous T‐cell lymphomas. Objectives  To investigate the pattern of expression of Notch and its ligands, Jagged and Delta, in skin samples of primary cutaneous CD30+ lymphoproliferative disorders. Methods  Immunohistochemistry of formalin‐fixed, paraffin‐embedded skin samples from 12 patients with lymphomatoid papulosis (LyP) and 11 patients with primary cutaneous anaplastic large cell lymphoma (ALCL). Immunofluorescence studies of fresh skin samples obtained from three patients with LyP and two patients with primary cutaneous ALCL. Results  We identified single Notch1‐positive cells or small clusters of atypical cells in LyP. Similarly, strongly positive Jagged1 cells tended to be localized in clusters. Primary cutaneous ALCL had higher expression of Notch1 and Jagged1 compared with LyP. Cells expressing Notch1 and Jagged1 were colocalized and a subset of cells expressed both the receptor and the ligand. The expression of the ligand Delta1 was low to undetectable in both types of lymphoproliferations. A subpopulation of lymphoma cells was found to coexpress Notch1 and activated Akt kinase. Conclusions  These results imply a potential role for the Notch signalling pathway in the pathogenesis of primary cutaneous CD30+ lymphoproliferative disorders and provide a rationale for the exploration of the activity of Notch antagonists in the therapy of these diseases.     

皮肤CD30+淋巴增殖性疾病的发病机制研究进展

皮肤CD30+淋巴增殖性疾病是仅次于蕈样肉芽肿的第二大类最常见的皮肤T细胞淋巴瘤,其发病率占原发性皮肤T细胞淋巴瘤的25%左右。该病是一种病谱性的疾病,临床上包括淋巴瘤样丘疹病和原发性皮肤间变性大细胞淋巴瘤以及其中的中间类型。近年来对皮肤CD30+淋巴增殖性疾病组织病理类型的细化、发病的病因学、淋巴细胞凋亡异常以及基因异常的研究,为揭示皮肤CD30+淋巴增殖性疾病发病以及治疗提供了一些新的观点。     

原发性皮肤CD30阳性淋巴组织增生性疾病临床病理分析

目的 探讨原发性皮肤CD30阳性淋巴组织增生性疾病的临床及病理学特征。方法 对4例淋巴瘤样丘疹病及5例原发性皮肤间变性大细胞淋巴瘤的临床、病理学特征及免疫组化表达进行分析。结果 淋巴瘤样丘疹病分为A、B、C三型,组织学上形成一个连续的谱系,A型见多形性间变性大细胞或Sternberg-Reed样细胞散在分布或小片状分布在多量炎性细胞背景中;B型类似蕈样肉芽肿病变,表现为真皮层较宽的淋巴细胞浸润带,其中散在少量小至中等异形脑回样淋巴细胞;C型以间变性大细胞弥漫分布为特征,但临床上可自行消退。原发性皮肤间变性大细胞以皮下结节或皮肤丘疹就诊,瘤细胞体积大,呈多形性、圆形或椭圆形,胞质丰富,嗜酸或呈双色性,核大,核仁明显。两组病变中的大细胞均特征性表达CD30,预后均较好。结论 原发性皮肤CD30阳性淋巴组织增生性疾病是一组预后较好的皮肤T细胞性淋巴瘤谱系,综合临床表现、组织病理改变、免疫组化有助于本病的诊断。     

Expression of chemokines and chemokine receptors in cutaneous CD30+ lymphoproliferative disorders

BACKGROUND: Little is known about the mechanisms involved in skin-specific homing in CD30+ cutaneous lymphoproliferative disorders (CLPD). Chemokine/chemokine receptor interactions have been implicated in the homing of lymphoma cells to various tissue sites. OBJECTIVES: To investigate tissue samples from patients with CD30+ CLPD for the expression of the chemokine receptors CXCR3, CCR4 and CCR3 and their ligands MIG, TARC and RANTES. METHODS: Tissue samples from patients with primary cutaneous anaplastic large cell lymphoma (PCALCL, n=12) and lymphomatoid papulosis (LyP, n=13) were studied by immunohistochemistry on paraffin-embedded sections. Immunohistochemical analysis was also performed for CD20 (for B cells), CD45RO and CD3 (for T cells), CD30 and ALK-1. A portion of each skin specimen was stored at -80 degrees C and later examined using monoclonal antibodies against CD2, CD3, CD4, CD5, CD8, CD15, CD19, CD20 and CD30. RESULTS: CD30+ atypical lymphoid cells were frequently seen in PCALCL, and to a variable degree in LyP. In both disorders there were scattered CD3+ and CD45RO+ atypical lymphoid cells, but CD2, CD5, CD15, CD19, CD20 and ALK-1 showed negative reactivity. In addition, CD4+, but not CD8+, atypical lymphoid cells were occasionally seen in both disorders. CCR3 was expressed by atypical lymphoid cells in 10 of 12 (83%) cases of PCALCL, but in only five of 13 (38%) cases of LyP. CXCR3 was expressed in 11 of 13 (85%) cases of LyP, but in only one of 12 (8%) cases of PCALCL. CCR4 was expressed in 11 of 12 (92%) cases of PCALCL, but in only two of 13 (15%) cases of LyP. RANTES was strongly expressed by lymphoma cells in PCALCL (11 of 12: 92%), but was weak or sporadic in LyP (seven of 13: 54%). TARC showed weak or sporadic reactivity in both LyP and PCALCL, and MIG did not show a distinctive expression pattern in either disorder. CONCLUSIONS: We speculate that CCR3 is associated with the autocrine function in PCALCL, as evidenced by CCR3 coexpression with its ligand RANTES. We also found that LyP cells expressed CXCR3, which might support their migration towards the CXCR3 ligand MIG, which is expressed in stromal cells of the skin.     

Diagnostic and prognostic evaluation of phenotypic markers TRAF1, MUM1, BCL2 and CD15 in cutaneous CD30-positive lymphoproliferative disorders

Background  CD30 is expressed in various types of cutaneous lymphomas, including lymphomatoid papulosis (LyP), primary cutaneous anaplastic large cell lymphoma (C-ALCL), some cases of mycosis fungoides showing large cell transformation (MF-TR) and skin localizations of systemic anaplastic lymphoma kinase (ALK)-positive or ALK-negative ALCL. Differentiation between these entities is often not possible on the basis of histology alone, but several markers, including TRAF1, MUM1 and BCL2, have been reported to provide additional diagnostic information.
Objective  To evaluate the diagnostic and prognostic significance of these markers in a large group of cutaneous CD30-positive lymphoproliferations.
Methods  An immunohistochemical study on the expression of TRAF1, MUM1, BCL2 and CD15 was performed on skin biopsies from 28 patients with C-ALCL, 39 patients with LyP, 11 patients with CD30-positive MF-TR, two with ALK-positive ALCL and six with ALK-negative ALCL. In addition, the prognostic significance of these markers was evaluated.
Results  TRAF1 was expressed in roughly 70–80% and MUM1 was expressed in 70–100% of all the groups of cutaneous CD30-positive lymphoproliferations. Highest levels of BCL2 were expressed in MF-TR (73%), in contrast to 21% in C-ALCL and 36% in LyP. Highest levels of CD15 were expressed in C-ALCL (43%), compared with 18% in LyP and 9% in MF-TR. A relationship with survival was not clear.
Conclusions  The results of the present study suggest that TRAF1, MUM1, BCL2 and CD15 cannot be considered as useful diagnostic or prognostic marker in cutaneous CD30-positive lymphoproliferations. Differentiation between these different conditions should be based on a combination of clinical, histological and immunophenotypical criteria.     

Expression of CD44 and CD44v6 in primary cutaneous CD30 positive T-cell lymphoproliferative disorders

BACKGROUND: Expression of the lymphocyte homing receptor CD44 and its variant form, CD44v6, have been linked to unfavorable prognosis and tumor dissemination in non-Hodgkin's lymphoma. The role of CD44 and CD44v6 in primary cutaneous lymphomas may not necessarily correlate with that observed in nodal lymphomas. Our study attempts to evaluate the expression pattern of CD44 and CD44v6 in primary cutaneous CD30 positive T-cell lymphoproliferative disorders including primary cutaneous anaplastic large cell lymphoma (cALCL) and lymphomatoid papulosis (LyP) and compared the expression between these two subgroups. METHODS: Immunohistochemical staining of CD44 and CD44v6 was performed on 10 cALCL and 18 LyP cases. RESULTS: CD44 consistently expressed in all cases of primary cutaneous CD30 positive T-cell lymphoproliferative disorders. In contrast with previous studies, our results showed that CD44v6 expressed in 46% of all cases, including 50% cALCL and 44% LyP. There was no statistic difference in expression of CD44 or CD44v6 between cALCL and LyP subgroups. CONCLUSIONS: These results provide a new evidence that CD44v6 is expressed in a subset cases of primary cutaneous CD30 positive T-cell lymphoproliferative disorders and suggest that other factors or molecules rather than CD44 or CD44v6 are responsible for the difference between cALCL and LyP.     

Primary cutaneous CD30-positive large cell lymphoma

Primary cutaneous CD30-positive large cell lymphoma is a recently described entity, recognized by immunohistochemical criteria. Spontaneous regression may occur and although relapses are frequent, most patients have a favourable prognosis. We describe a 83-year-old woman with a large ulcerated tumour on her right forearm, with 2 months evolution. Histological and immunohistochemical examination revealed a CD30-positive large cell lymphoma. Systemic involvement was not detected. The tumour regressed spontaneously. Cutaneous relapses occurred one year later, all with spontaneous regression. After a 2-year follow-up period, the patient is well, without concurrent extracutaneous disease. This case is in keeping with other reports of spontaneous regression and favourable outcome of this type of cutaneous lymphoma.     

CD30+ cutaneous lymphoproliferative disorders: the Stanford experience in lymphomatoid papulosis and primary cutaneous anaplastic large cell lymphoma

BACKGROUND: CD30+ cutaneous lymphoproliferative disorders (CLPDs) include lymphomatoid papulosis, borderline cases of CD30+CLPDs, and primary cutaneous anaplastic large cell lymphoma (PCALCL). Prior studies have shown CD30+CLPDs have an excellent prognosis. OBJECTIVE: We sought to present the single-center experience of Stanford University, Stanford, Calif, in the management of CD30+CLPDs. METHODS: A retrospective cohort analysis of 56 patients with CD30+CLPDs treated at our institution was performed. RESULTS: No patients with lymphomatoid papulosis died of disease, and overall survival was 92% at 5 and 10 years. Disease-specific survivals at 5 and 10 years for PCALCL were 85%. Disease-specific survival at 5 years for localized versus generalized PCALCL was 91% versus 50% (P =.31). PCALCL was highly responsive to treatment, but the relapse rate was 42%. In all, 3 patients progressed to extracutaneous stage of disease. No clinical or histologic factors analyzed were predictive of worse outcome in lymphomatoid papulosis and PCALCL. CONCLUSION: Similar to prior reports from multicenter European groups, the single-center experience at our institution demonstrates CD30+CLPDs have an overall excellent prognosis; however, cases of PCALCL with poor outcome do exist.     

Differential expression of TRAF1 aids in the distinction of cutaneous CD30-positive lymphoproliferations

Lymphomatoid papulosis (LyP), primary cutaneous anaplastic large T-cell lymphoma (cALCL), and cutaneous infiltrates of systemic anaplastic large cell lymphoma (sALCL) are CD30-positive lymphoproliferative disorders of the skin that overlap clinically, histopathologically, immunophenotypically, and genetically but differ considerably in their prognosis. In particular, lesions of LyP regress spontaneously, whereas those of cALCL and sALCL persist and may progress and spread to extracutaneous sites. In contrast to patients with cALCL, LyP patients do not benefit from an aggressive radio- and/or chemotherapeutic approach. We generated a novel tumor necrosis factor receptor (TNFR)-associated factor 1 (TRAF1) antibody that recognizes a formalin-resistant epitope (Ber-TRAF1A) and investigated the expression of TRAF1, an intracellular component of TNFR signaling, in LyP and ALCL. We could show a strong TRAF1 expression in the tumor cells of most LyP cases (42/49, 84%). In contrast, tumor cells of primary and secondary cALCL revealed TRAF1 expression in only a few cases (3/41, 7%) as shown for sALCL without skin manifestation. The data indicate that TRAF1 expression reliably distinguishes LyP from primary or secondary cALCL. This might be of crucial diagnostic importance and has a strong impact on the treatment decision for patients with cALCL and LyP.     

MUM1 expression in cutaneous CD30+ lymphoproliferative disorders: a valuable tool for the distinction between lymphomatoid papulosis and primary cutaneous anaplastic large-cell lymphoma

Background Primary cutaneous CD30+ lymphoproliferative disorders include lymphomatoid papulosis (LyP) and primary cutaneous CD30+ anaplastic large T‐cell lymphoma (ALCL). Because of overlapping histological features, it is impossible to distinguish ALCL from LyP on histological grounds. MUM1 (Multiple Myeloma oncogene 1) is expressed in systemic ALCL and classical Hodgkin lymphoma. MUM1 expression has not been studied in detail in CD30+ lymphoproliferative disorders. Objectives To examine the expression of MUM1 in CD30+ lymphoproliferative disorders and to assess its value as a diagnostic marker. Methods Thirty‐one formalin‐fixed paraffin‐embedded specimens of LyP (n = 15), primary cutaneous ALCL (n = 10), secondary cutaneous infiltrates of systemic ALCL (n = 4) and secondary cutaneous Hodgkin lymphoma (n = 2) were analysed by immunohistochemistry with a monoclonal antibody against MUM1. Results Positive staining for MUM1 was observed in 13 cases of LyP (87%), two cases of primary cutaneous ALCL (20%), four cases of secondary cutaneous ALCL (100%) and two cases of secondary cutaneous Hodgkin lymphoma (100%). In 11 of 13 LyP cases (85%), MUM1 was displayed by the majority, i.e. 50–90%, of the tumour cells. In contrast to LyP and secondary cutaneous ALCL, only two cases of primary cutaneous ALCL (20%) harboured MUM1‐positive tumour cells. There was a statistically significant difference in the expression of MUM1 between LyP and primary cutaneous ALCL (P = 0·002) and between primary cutaneous ALCL and secondary cutaneous ALCL (P = 0·015). Conclusions MUM1 expression is a valuable tool for the distinction of LyP and ALCL and thus represents a novel adjunctive diagnostic marker in CD30+ lymphoproliferative disorders.     

Infection with parapoxvirus induces CD30-positive cutaneous infiltrates in humans

Expression of CD30 is a distinct feature of B- or T-cell activation, found in Hodgkin's disease, large cell anaplastic lymphoma, lymphomatoid papulosis, as well as in certain viral infections such as human T-lymphotropic virus type I, HIV, hepatitis B and C virus, and Epstein-Barr virus. Here, we report highly proliferative CD30-positive cutaneous infiltrates in 3 patients with Milkers's nodules, adding parapoxvirus infection to the spectrum of CD30-positive benign lympho-proliferations.     

CD30-positive cutaneous T-cell lymphoma with concurrent solid tumour

Extranodal CD30+ T-cell lymphomas seldom carry classical t(2;5) translocation and are usually anaplastic large cell lymphoma kinase protein negative. They cover a wide spectrum of histological and clinical behaviour. The prognosis of CD30+ cutaneous T-cell lymphoma (CTCL) is good in the absence of nodal primary or disseminated disease. These lesions can undergo spontaneous regression, and overlap with the group of lesions of lymphomatoid papulosis. Although an increased incidence of solid tumours has been reported in patients with CD30+ non-Hodgkin lymphoma of the skin, reports of concurrent malignancies are rare in CD30+ CTCL. We report two patients with CD30+ CTCL who, respectively, had concurrent disseminated gastric carcinoma and bilateral ovarian teratoma. Despite an aggressive clinical and histological appearance, both cases ran favourable clinical courses. The CTCL responded completely to chemotherapy in one patient, who eventually succumbed to gastric cancer. In the other patient, lesions regressed spontaneously after bilateral oophorectomy. A possible relationship between the lymphoma and the solid tumours is discussed.