CD40 expression identifies a prognostically favourable subgroup of diffuse large B-cell lymphoma

Area of Science:

• Oncology
• Immunology
• Pathology

Background:

• Diffuse large B-cell lymphoma (DLBCL) is a heterogeneous non-Hodgkin lymphoma.
• Previous studies suggested prognostic significance of CD23 and CD40 expression in DLBCL.
• Potential associations with germinal center (GC) phenotype and autologous tumor response were hypothesized.

Purpose of the Study:

• To confirm earlier findings on the prognostic effects of CD23 and CD40 expression in de novo DLBCL.
• To investigate the relationship between CD40/CD23 expression, GC phenotype, and tumor-infiltrating T-cells.

Main Methods:

• Immunohistochemical analysis of tumor specimens from 125 de novo DLBCL patients.
• Assessment of CD23, CD40, BCL6, CD10, MUM1, CD4, and CD8 expression.
• Correlation analysis between marker expression, GC phenotype, and overall survival.

Main Results:

• CD40 positivity was observed in 64% of cases and significantly correlated with improved overall survival (p = 0.03).
• A germinal center (GC) phenotype was present in 47% and associated with better survival (p = 0.006), but did not correlate with CD40 expression.
• No correlation was found between CD40 positivity and the amount of tumor-infiltrating T-cells (CD4, CD8). CD23 positivity (10%) did not correlate with prognosis.

Conclusions:

• The positive prognostic effect of CD40 expression in DLBCL is confirmed.
• CD40 expression's prognostic value is independent of the germinal center phenotype and T-cell infiltration.
• CD23 expression did not show a significant correlation with prognosis in this cohort.