Immunotyping malignant lymphomas. A boon to diagnosis.
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Publications and source records attributed to T M Grogan.
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The usefulness of the mouse rosette (MR) assay in differentiating among various "well to intermediate differentiated" lymphoproliferative disorders (LPD) is presented. Thirty patients with a suspected LPD were studied. By standard histologic, cytologic, immunologic (surface immunoglobulin and monoclonal antibody markers), and clinical criteria, the following diagnoses (independent of MR data) were made: chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL) (n = 12), CLL in transformation (n = 2), well-differentiated lymphocytic lymphoma (WDLL) (n = 5), intermediate-differentiated lymphoma (IDL) (n = 2), hairy cell leukemia (HCL) (n = 3), prolymphocytic leukemic (PLL) (n = 1), poorly differentiated lymphocytic lymphoma (PDL) (n = 1), and no disease or reactive lymphocytosis (n = 4). There were 11 B-CLL cases and one T-CLL case. The percent of MR in all cases of B-CLL ranged from 26 to 76% (m = 62%); 10/11 cases had greater than or equal to 50% MR. The case with 26% MR was atypical in that it occurred in a 26-year-old patient. The percent of MR ranged from 0 to 42% (m = 16%) in the cases of well to intermediate differentiated lymphomas. Similar to previous reports intermediate proportions of MR were seen in HCL (12-41%); and low values were seen in PDL (4%) and PLL (4%). In summary, the MR assay may be a useful tool for differentiating CLL from other well to intermediate differentiated LPD involving the peripheral blood. Also, since the MR receptor is normally found only on functionally immature cells, this differential mouse rosetting capability suggests that CLL arises from a less mature cell than WDLL or IDL.
Our combined ultrastructural, immunohistochemical, histologic, and clinical studies over the past five years have allowed us to compile diagnostic criteria useful in the evaluation of cutaneous lymphomas. As a group, mycosis fungoides (MF) patients could be distinguished from those with benign disorders of skin using ultrastructural morphometry (mean form factor and perimeter values), but with some overlap between groups. Another approach, the ultrastructural histogram method, however, clearly separated MF patients from patients with chronic dermatitis. Immunohistochemistry was useful in distinguishing cases of cutaneous peripheral T-cell lymphoma from MF cases on the basis of the occurrence of "novel phenotypes." Neoplastic T-cell infiltrates of skin can usually be distinguished from benign polyclonal T-cell infiltrates by the presence of one T-cell subset to the exclusion of others. Patients with convoluted B-cell lymphomas could also be distinguished from MF patients using ultrastructural morphometric dual parameter analysis. The diagnostic complexity of several cutaneous T-cell lymphoma cases is illustrated. We have emphasized in this study the strength of combining quantitative electron microscopy, immunohistochemistry, and histology in the diagnostic workup of cutaneous lymphomas. This integrative approach may be necessary to assure a definitive diagnosis in difficult cases.
To investigate the microstructure of in situ (eutopic) and autotransplanted (ectopic) splenic remnants, adult Sprague-Dawley rats were studied 60 days after subtotal (approximately 80%) splenectomy, total splenectomy followed by single or multiple remnant intraperitoneal autotransplantation, or sham operation. Total nucleated cell counts were determined in excised splenic remnants, and immunohistochemical staining using monoclonal antibodies to rat B- and T-cell antigens was performed in serial tissue sections. Immunoarchitecture of eutopic remnants was indistinguishable from that of intact spleens and total nucleated cell counts remained proportional to weight. In contrast, ectopic remnants showed sparsity and abnormal mixing of B and T lymphocyte subpopulations with widespread loss of follicles and periarteriolar lymphoid sheaths in addition to lower density and marked reduction of total nucleated cells. These findings provide immunohistologic evidence that preservation of intact vasculature is critical to splenic architecture, which may account in part for the demonstrable functional inferiority of ectopic remnants.
The association of neutropenia with an indolent chronic T-suppressor cell lymphoproliferative disorder (LPD) has been well documented. The morphologic features and course suggest that this is a benign disorder. The authors studied a 58-year-old man with a chronic T-cell LPD, splenomegaly, and neutropenia. Chromosomal analysis revealed multiple abnormalities which progressively increased in number as the marrow lymphocytosis became more prominent. Subsequently he developed small bowel infiltration. A splenectomy resulted in only brief improvement in the neutropenia. Immunopathologic examination of the spleen was consistent with a well-differentiated lymphocytic lymphoma of a mature peripheral T-cell type without subset specific markers. Granulocyte-monocyte colony (CFU-GM) formation from the patient's marrow was normal and not augmented by T-cell depletion. Neither the patient's splenic T-cells nor serum suppressed granulopoiesis. In contrast to previous T-LPD with neutropenia whose malignant nature has been questioned, the clinical, cytogenetic, and pathologic features and course in this case indicate a malignant lymphoid process which was effectively treated with chemotherapy. Although the histologic pattern of red pulp involvement simulated hairy cell leukemia, that diagnosis was excluded by this patient's clinical, morphologic, and cytochemical features.
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A patient is described who had blastic transformation of Ph1 negative chronic myelogenous leukemia (Ph1 - CML). Characterization of the leukemic cells revealed a population with a lymphoid stem cell phenotype (cALL-, TdT+, Ia+, cIgM-). This particular phenotype may be responsible for the refractoriness to vincristine and prednisone and the rapid downhill course.
The immunoarchitecture of five cutaneous pseudolymphomas was studied by staining serial sections for T- and B-cell and dendritic reticulum cell (DRC) antigens with monoclonal antibodies, and compared with that of reactive lymph nodes and cutaneous lymphoma. In four cases compartmentalization of B and T cells was observed, analogous to findings in reactive lymph nodes. In two of these cases the immunoarchitectural features were strikingly similar to those of reactive lymph nodes. Both had distinct follicles with germinal centers, and in one distinct mantle zone formation was seen. B cells in the follicles were polyclonal, with kappa chain predominance. The germinal centers showed the expected intercellular and/or dendritic pattern of immunoglobulin heavy chain, B2, and DRC-antigen expression. T cells admixed in the germinal centers were overwhelmingly of the T-helper type. The B-cell compartments in the other two cases showed some subtle immunologic evidence of aberrance, but the weight of evidence suggested reactive/aberrant rather than malignant processes. The T-cell compartments in all four cases showed a predominance of T-helper and a minority of T-suppressor/cytotoxic cells. All contrasted with the lymphomas, which showed B-cell monoclonality, markedly deranged T-subset proportions, or novel T-cell phenotypes. Although the main focus of this study was cases involving substantial populations of both B and T cells, preliminary observations were made in one case in which a predominance of T cells and prominent epidermotropism simulated mycosis fungoides. Quantitative ultrastructural analysis in this case suggested a reactive T-cell process. Leu-6-positive Langerhans cells were increased in the epidermis and dermis in all five cases, and in the dermis they were found almost exclusively in T-cell compartments. It is proposed that this distribution is the anatomic correlate to the known functional role of Langerhans cells in antigen processing/presentation and T-cell activation. In the cutaneous "lymph node equivalent," Langerhans cells are analogous to interdigitating reticulum cells of reactive lymph nodes in distribution and, probably, in function. The DRC found in the germinal centers in two cases were probably antigenically identical and functionally analogous to those in germinal centers of reactive lymph nodes. Immunologic phenotyping of serial cutaneous sections may aid in distinguishing reactive from neoplastic lymphoid lesions. Immunoarchitectural analysis promises to be a powerful tool for the study of lymphoproliferative disease.
Eleven patients with mature or peripheral T-cell lymphoma (PTL), other than mycosis fungoides, were identified using an extensive battery of T- and B-cell markers. Eight cases had a histologic diagnosis of either diffuse large cell or mixed lymphoma, three of small cell type. All cases had one or more "mature" T-antigens and an absence of B- and immature T-antigens. Assessment of T-antigens included E-rosettes (Er), anti-Leu 1-7 and Tdt. The authors delineated striking heterogeneity of T-antigen expression: 9 different immunotypes in 11 cases. Subset T-antigen assessment indicated T-helper neoplastic cells in five cases and T-suppressor in two. The remaining four had universal T-antigens alone. Seven cases appeared to have "novel" T-phenotypes not corresponding to normal T-ontogeny phenotypes. Novel or idiosyncratic phenotypes may be a key characteristic of PTL. Since no single T-antigen, including Er and Er receptor (Leu-5), was expressed in all cases, a battery of monoclonal antibodies is necessary to detect PTL. Clinically, the authors found PTL unexpectedly aggressive, despite mature immunotype. Most patients were elderly (median age 69); all had extranodal disease with cutaneous involvement (six cases) most frequent. Responses to chemotherapy frequently proved transient, with median survival of nine months. A fulminant course was noted even with localized presentation. Clinical outcome suggests PTL requires new therapeutic strategies.
In contrast to previous accounts of signet-ring lymphoma as a B-cell neoplasm, we report a case of signet-ring, large-cell lymphoma of T-cell lineage. Immunologic and ultrastructural studies were performed on a subcutaneous mass noted initially, as well as on an enlarged lymph node that developed later, in a 69-year-old man. Immunologic assessment indicated strong expression of T-helper antigen (Leu 3a + b), universal T-antigens (Leu 1, 5), and Ia. There was an absence of T-suppressor/cytotoxic antigen (Leu 2a), universal T-antigens (Leu 4, 9), and immunoglobulin light and heavy chains. Collectively, these findings indicate a mature T-cell lymphoma of T-helper type in an activated (Ia+) state. In contrast to previous reports of T-cell and Ia occurring solely as surface antigens, we demonstrated pools of cytoplasmic Leu 1, 3, 5 and Ia that displaced the nucleus. The ultrastructure of the giant cytoplasmic vacuoles was identical to the microvesicle-containing vacuoles reported in signet-ring cell lymphomas of B-cell lineage. In our case of T-cell lineage, we found substantial evidence of endocytosis by the neoplastic cells and numerous giant multivesicular bodies. The pools of cytoplasmic T and Ia antigens may result from abnormal internalization of surface T-antigens or the sequestration of T-antigen-containing Golgi-derived vesicles. Our combined immunologic and ultrastructural findings suggest that aberrant membrane recycling may be the common denominator of signet-ring formation in both B- and T-cell signet-ring lymphomas.
Detailed immunotyping was carried out on 21 direct myeloma bone marrow aspirates and eight human myeloma cell lines. Four previously untreated common acute lymphoblastic leukemia antigen (CALLA)-positive myeloma patients were identified and six of eight cell lines (75%) were also positive. CALLA positivity, as part of an immature B phenotype, was found to correlate with very aggressive clinical disease: median survival six months v 56 months for the CALLA-negative group.
Using a battery of monoclonal antibodies on snap-frozen sections, we delineated the immunoarchitecture of two splenic small cleaved cell lymphomas (SCL). Both cases had light- and heavy-chain restricted immunoglobulin (lg) expression signifying replacement of splenic white pulp by a single B-cell clone. Both the monotypia and aberrant topography of lg expression in SCL contrasted with the usual polyclonal, zonal lg expression in reactive splenic B-cell zones. Pan B antigens (B1, B4, and L14) were constant in expression as expected for B-cell neoplasms, while B-cell maturation antigens (B2, IgD, and CALLA) were variably expressed, suggesting that different SCL may derive from separate phases of B-cell ontogeny. Close association of SCL with dendritic reticulum cells suggests SCL may derive from splenic secondary follicles or home to these sites. The variable T-cell component detected by a T-cell panel (Leu 1-9) indicates the substantial range of T-cell reactivity in splenic SCL. We emphasize the immunologic aberrancy of splenic SCL when compared to normal splenic B-cell immunotopography. Further, we illustrate the utility of serial tissue section immunochemistry in revealing complex neoplastic cell phenotypes and in revealing the relationships of reactive cells to neoplastic cells.
Two new human myeloma cell lines have been established from a 36-year-old woman with refractory IgG kappa multiple myeloma in whom bilateral malignant pleural effusions developed. The malignant plasma cells from each effusion were set up in a liquid culture using an L-15 medium containing catalase, glutathione, selenous acid, ascorbic acid, insulin, transferrin, additional glutamine hydrocortisone, and 2-mercaptoethanol and designated as M-3 medium. Two IgG kappa cell lines, LB -831 and LB-832, were established and proved to be Epstein-Barr virus negative using the internal repeat sequence DNA probe. Characteristic plasma cell morphology was evident by light and electron microscopy. Immunotyping revealed an IgG kappa , B1+, B2-, Ia (HLA-DR)+, CALLA+ phenotype for each cell line as well as for the original pleural fluid and bone marrow myeloma cells. The supernatants also contained IgG kappa, beta 2 microglobulin, and large amounts of osteoclast-activating factor (indicating bone-resorbing activity). Cytogenetic analysis of the LB-831 cell line revealed a nearly triploid highly abnormal karyotype with numerous clonal chromosomal abnormalities involving chromosomes 1, 3, 5, 7, 13, and 15; several structurally abnormal marker chromosomes; and a putative homogeneously staining region on chromosome 7p at band p22. Analysis of the LB-832 cell line revealed several additional clonal abnormalities. These additional cytogenetic changes suggest that in vivo sequential clonal evolution occurred in this patient. Therefore, two new but related cell lines have been established, which should prove useful for further biological studies.
T cell lymphoblastic lymphoma usually presents as a rapidly growing lymphoma with histologic features of a diffuse, poorly-differentiated small cell lymphoma with a high mitotic rate. This report describes a patient who presented with an aggressive small cell lymphoma that morphologically had a nodular pattern. Repeated biopsy and use of cell surface markers resulted in reclassifying the cell type as T cell lymphoblastic and in recognizing the original pattern as pseudonodular. The routine application of these immunologic techniques in patients with lymphoma may lead to more accurate diagnoses and improved treatment.
Using a battery of monoclonal antibodies directed at B and T cell antigens, we delineate the immunotopography of the human spleen. The tissue section immunohistochemical methods employed demonstrate the complexity of white pulp reactivity with both light and heavy chain immunoglobulin expression appearing polyclonal. Zonal expression of heavy chains suggests an anatomic basis for the known sequence of heavy chain switching due to immunoglobulin gene rearrangement. Localization of universal B-cell antigen, B1, delineates the entire B-cell zone whereas antibodies directed at universal T antigens (e.g. Leu 1, 4, 9) delineate the T cell zone. Leu 14 demonstrates striking B-zone staining in normal spleen and in hairy cell leukemia, suggesting that leukemic cells in this disease arise from Leu 14+ B cells. Leu 2a staining occurs not only on lymphoid cells but probably also on sinusoidal endothelial lining cells.
To resolve the controversy over the immunologic nature of nodular mixed lymphoma (NM), we examined nine cases of NM for surface antigens using both tissue section and cell suspension methods. These were contrasted with 12 cases of nodular poorly differentiated lymphocytic lymphoma. We found two major B cell types of NM, those with monoclonal immunoglobulin (SIg+)-positive nodules with an SIg+B1+B2+Ia+T- phenotype (four cases) and those with nodules devoid of immunoglobulin with an SIg-B1+B2-Ia+T- phenotype (five cases). Our SIg+ NM cases appear similar to nodular poorly differentiated lymphocytic lymphoma (SIg+B1+B2+Ia+T-), except suspension assay indicates fewer SIg+ cells in NM. In our SIg- NM cases, the neoplastic nodules consistently expressed B1 and Ia-like antigens and lacked T cells, indicating a B cell neoplasm similar to many large cell lymphomas. By demonstrating a B cell antigen in SIg- nodules, we substantially resolve the controversial NM cases previously called "null" or T cell. The two distinct immunotypes indicate the complexity of B cell antigenic expression in NM and might also explain the variable response to therapy in NM described in previous studies. Finally, we describe NM cases with the simultaneous occurrence of several stages of B cell differentiation. This suggests that some NM cases are not frozen in a single stage of B cell development but may express a range of B cell antigens. NM, then, may be a paradigm of variable, simultaneous B cell maturation.
We examined and surgically restaged (using posttreatment laparotomy) 26 patients with stage III and IV Hodgkin's disease treated with combination chemotherapy and in apparent remission to determine the status of their clinical remission. Eleven patients had normal clinical restaging and surgical restaging. Fifteen patients had abnormal clinical restaging, mainly consisting of abnormal lymphangiograms or abdominal CT scans. Ten lymphangiograms were abnormal and could not exclude persistent lymphoma. Two of the 15 patients proved to have Hodgkin's disease involving the para-aortic nodes and the spleen. With a median follow-up of 24 months, two patients had relapses in supradiaphragmatic sites and no patient with a negative laparotomy had a recurrence abdominal sites. Restaging laparotomy in selected patients with Hodgkin's disease with abnormal lymphangiograms or CT scans may identify additional patients with residual lymphoma who require further therapy and, more importantly, may identify those patients who have no residual disease and, therefore, may be spared additional therapy. Mortality and morbidity were nil.
A case of phagocytic, lambda light chain, plasma cell myeloma was characterized by its clinical, morphologic, cytochemical, immunologic, and cell kinetic features. A 40-year-old man presented with Coombs-negative hemolytic anemia, hepatosplenomegaly, lytic bone lesions, lambda light chain monoclonal gammopathy, and infiltration of the bone marrow by dysplastic plasma cells, 10% of which demonstrated phagocytosis of erythroid cells. Electron microscopy demonstrated myeloma cells with prominent cytoplasmic microfilaments and erythroid cells in intracytoplasmic vacuoles. The myeloma cells did not phagocytose staphylococci in vitro. Phagocytic and nonphagocytic myeloma cells were tartrate-sensitive, acid-phosphatase positive, alpha-napthyl butyrate esterase negative, and did not form E rosettes or EAox(IgG) rosettes. The tumor cells were Tdt, Ia antigen, and SIg negative. Immunofluorescent staining for cytoplasmic light chains showed a monoclonal lambda pattern in nonphagocytic myeloma cells, and a probable monoclonal lambda pattern in phagocytic myeloma cells. These findings characterize the neoplasm as a monoclonal proliferation of differentiated plasma cells with the capability of erythrophagocytosis. Erythrophagocytosis by myeloma cells may have been responsible for the hemolytic anemia. The tritiated thymidine labeling index (LI%) was high (8%), suggesting a poor prognosis, despite a dramatic initial response to chemotherapy.