[CD8-positive diffuse large B-cell lymphoma]

In May, 1998, a 63-year-old woman was admitted for treatment of relapsed malignant lymphoma. In March 1997, a diagnosis of diffuse large B-cell lymphoma(DLBL), clinical stage IIISE A, was made from a biopsy specimen of the tumor in the left buccal mucosa. Six cycles of CHOP regimen were given, and complete remission was achieved. However, relapse of the lymphoma was suspected, and the patient was transferred to our hospital. On admission, a right tosillar mass, 8 mm in diameter, was found, and a biopsy showed DLBL. The immunophenotype of the lymphoma cells was CD3- CD4- CD5- CD8+ CD10- CD19+ CD20+ CD23- CD25+ IgL (lambda)+, and dual staining confirmed that the cells were CD8+ and CD19+. The patient was an HTLV-1 carrier, but monoclonal integration of HTLV-1 proviral DNA into the lymphoma cells was not detected. She was diagnosed as having CD8+ DLBL, clinical stage IA. Because she responded to salvage chemotherapy, autologous peripheral blood stem cell transplantation was performed and complete remission was obtained. To our knowledge, this is the first report of CD8+ DLBL.