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Published on: September 25, 2018
[Aggressive diffuse lymphoma with malignant pleural effusion expressing c-erbB-2 (neu) oncogene products]
M Mineshita1, T Miyazawa, M Doi
1Department of Respiratory Medicine, Hiroshima City Hospital, Japan.
Insights
This study reports a rare case of diffuse large B-cell lymphoma in an elderly male. The malignant cells expressed c-neu, suggesting its potential as a prognostic indicator for lymphoproliferative disorders.
Area of Science:
- Hematology
- Oncology
- Immunology
Background:
- Malignant lymphoma (ML) is a significant hematologic malignancy.
- Accurate diagnosis and prognostic indicators are crucial for patient outcomes.
- Diffuse large B-cell lymphoma (DLBCL) is an aggressive subtype requiring effective therapeutic strategies.
Observation:
- An 83-year-old male presented with pleural effusion and lymphadenopathy.
- Pathological diagnosis confirmed diffuse, large cell, non-cleaved type ML.
- Malignant cells exhibited coexpression of CD10, CD19, CD20, CD22, CD24, CD38, Ia, c-neu, and surface immunoglobulin G kappa.
Findings:
- Flow cytometry analysis revealed specific surface phenotypes of ML cells.
- High expression of NRAS p21 was detected via cytoplasmic immunofluorescence.
- The patient's rapid decline and death underscore the aggressive nature of the disease.
Implications:
- The c-neu oncoprotein, typically associated with breast cancer, was found on ML cells.
- c-neu expression may serve as a novel prognostic marker in lymphoproliferative disorders.
- Further research is warranted to validate c-neu as a prognostic indicator in lymphoma.
Abstract:
An 83-year-old male was admitted with a right pleural effusion and generalized lymphadenopathy. Serum LDH level was elevated to 801 IU/L, and the pathological diagnosis from inguinal lymph node needle biopsy was malignant lymphoma (ML) of diffuse, large cell, non-cleaved type, according to the working formulation. The surface phenotypes of the malignant cells from the pleural effusion were analyzed by a fluorescent-activated cell sorter with a panel of monoclonal antibodies (MAbs). The ML cells coexpressed antigens detected by MAbs CD10 (CALLA), CD19, CD20, CD22, CD24, CD38, Ia, c-neu and surface immunoglobulin G kappa. A high expression of NRAS p21 was also detected by cytoplasmic immunofluorescence technique. The patient died 19 days later despite a combination of chemotherapy and intensive supportive therapy. From these findings it seems that c-neu may be a prognostic indicator not only for breast cancers but also for lymphoproliferative disorders. Further accumulation of such cases is needed.
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