Preferential expression of truncated isoforms of FOXP1 in primary central nervous system lymphoma

Forkhead box P1 (FOXP1) protein is a transcription factor involved in cell signaling and regulation of gene expression. The overexpression of FOXP1 in a subgroup of systemic diffuse large B-cell lymphomas has been associated with an exceptionally poor clinical outcome. Data on FOXP1 expression in primary central nervous system lymphomas (PCNSL), that is, diffuse large B-cell lymphomas confined to the central nervous system, are not yet available. We analyzed 43 PCNSL from immunocompetent patients. Immunohistochemistry showed expression of FOXP1 protein in 21 (88%) of 24 cases. All 19 PCNSL analyzed by quantitative gene expression analysis showed overexpression of truncated FOXP1 Isoforms 3 and 9 and downregulation of normal-size FOXP1 compared with nonmalignant germinal center B cells, the normal counterpart of PCNSL tumor cells. Thus, truncated FOXP1 isoforms are preferentially overexpressed in PCNSL as they are in diffuse large B-cell lymphomas. Although the mechanisms are presently unclear, this overexpression may contribute to a poor prognosis in PCNSL.