Analysis of Prognostic Significance of CD47 Expression in Newly Diagnosed Large B Cell Lymphoma

CD47 is a transmembrane protein that possesses the ability to inhibit macrophage phagocytosis, enabling immune system evasion. While CD47 overexpression is associated with a poor prognosis in solid malignancies, data on its prognostic significance in lymphomas are inconsistent. This study aimed to evaluate the clinical and prognostic significance of CD47 expression in patients with large B-cell lymphoma (LBCL). In this study biopsy specimens from 146 patients diagnosed with LBCL and treated with immunochemotherapy were analyzed. CD47 expression was assessed using standard immunohistochemical methods. A high level of CD47 expression was detected in 30 (20.5%) patients. High CD47 expression was more frequently observed in patients with high β2-microglobulin levels and extranodal disease compared to nodal LBCL. No significant difference in CD47 expression was observed between gastrointestinal LBCL and other extranodal localizations. CD47 positivity had no significant influence on progression-free survival (PFS) and overall survival (OS); however, a trend toward shorter PFS and OS was noted (p = 0.099 and p = 0.149, respectively). The median PFS and OS were 27 and 37 months, respectively, in patients with high CD47 expression, while the median PFS and OS were not reached in the group of CD47 negative patients. Although CD47 expression was not an independent predictor of survival, the magnitude and direction of the observed hazard ratios suggest a potentially clinically meaningful effect.