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Updated: Jun 14, 2025
Flow-sorting and Exome Sequencing of the Reed-Sternberg Cells of Classical Hodgkin Lymphoma
Published on: June 10, 2017
Histologic, Phenotypic, and Molecular Characterization of Feline Hodgkin-Like Lymphoma With Classical Reed-Sternberg
Laura Marconato1, Ilaria Maga1, Selina Iussich2
1Department of Veterinary Medical Sciences, University of Bologna, Bologna, Italy.
Insights
This study identifies key features of feline Hodgkin-like lymphoma (HLL), a rare cancer in cats. Reed-Sternberg cells expressing CD30 and CD20 are hallmarks, aiding diagnosis in veterinary oncology.
Area of Science:
- Veterinary Pathology
- Oncology
- Immunology
Background:
- Hodgkin-like lymphoma (HLL) is a rare feline neoplasm mirroring human disease.
- Reed-Sternberg (RS) cells expressing CD30 and CD20 are characteristic of HLL.
Purpose of the Study:
- To define the clinicopathologic features, immunophenotype, and clonality of feline HLL.
- To aid in the diagnosis of this challenging condition.
Main Methods:
- Retrospective review of 24 feline nodal lymphoma cases over 6 years.
- Histopathology, immunohistochemistry (CD20, PAX5, CD30), and PCR for antigen receptor rearrangement (PARR) analysis were performed.
Main Results:
- All cases presented with lymphadenopathy; histopathology showed RS cells, necrosis, and inflammatory infiltrates.
- RS cells were CD30-positive (87.5%) and CD20-positive (mild/moderate); neoplastic cells showed variable CD20/PAX5 expression.
- Clonal B-cell expansion was identified in 60% of cases via PARR analysis.
Conclusions:
- Feline HLL diagnosis is complex, requiring exclusion of other conditions.
- CD30 and CD20 expression on RS cells are key diagnostic markers for feline HLL.
- Prognosis appears favorable in most cases with available follow-up data.
Abstract:
Hodgkin-like lymphoma (HLL) is a rare neoplasm in cats that shares characteristics with the human disease. The hallmark of HLL is the presence of Reed-Sternberg (RS) cells expressing CD30 and CD20. This study aimed to elucidate the clinicopathologic features, immunophenotype and clonality patterns of feline HLL. A comprehensive retrospective review of clinicopathologic and molecular data of nodal lymphomas over a 6-year period was conducted in MyLav laboratory. Twenty-four cases were identified. All cats presented with submandibular or retropharyngeal lymphadenopathy. Histopathologic examination revealed a multifocal to diffuse proliferation of medium-to-large lymphoid cells with low mitotic activity, interspersed RS cells, and a heterogeneous inflammatory infiltrate comprising T-cells, plasma cells and neutrophils. In addition, extensive necrosis was a consistent finding. Immunohistochemistry showed a variable membranous CD20 and nuclear PAX5 expression in neoplastic cells, while RS cells displayed only mild to moderate CD20 positivity and were negative to PAX5. In 21/24 cases (87.5%), RS cells were diffusely CD30-positive. PARR analysis demonstrated clonal B-cell expansion in 60% of cases, with the remaining 40% exhibiting polyclonality. For the 10 cats with available follow-up, the prognosis was generally favourable, with only two cats succumbing to progressive disease. In conclusion, diagnosing feline HLL is challenging. The expression of CD30 and CD20 by RS cells should be considered a hallmark of the disease, but only after excluding differential diagnoses such as anaplastic B-cell lymphoma and granulomatous lymphadenopathy.
