Adolescent ; Adult ; Aged ; Aged, 80 and over ; Female ; Gene Rearrangement, T-Lymphocyte ; Humans ; Lymphoma ; genetics ; Lymphoma, Extranodal NK-T-Cell ; genetics ; Lymphoma, Large-Cell, Anaplastic ; genetics ; Lymphoma, T-Cell, Peripheral ; genetics ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Polymerase Chain Reaction ; methods ; Young Adult

OBJECTIVE: To analyze the clinicopathological features, molecular changes and prognostic factors in angioimmunoblastic T-cell lymphoma (AITL). METHODS: Sixty-one cases AITL diagnosed by Department of Pathology of Peking University Cancer Hospital were collected with their clinical data. Morphologically, they were classified as typeⅠ[lymphoid tissue reactive hyperplasia (LRH) like]; typeⅡ[marginal zone lymphoma(MZL)like] and type Ⅲ [peripheral T-cell lymphoma, not specified (PTCL-NOS) like]. Immunohistochemical staining was used to evaluate the presence of follicular helper T-cell (TFH) phenotype, proliferation of extra germinal center (GC) follicular dendritic cells (FDCs), presence of Hodgkin and Reed-Sternberg (HRS)-like cells and large B transformation. The density of Epstein-Barr virus (EBV) + cells was counted with slides stained by Epstein-Barr virus encoded RNA (EBER) in situ hybridization on high power field (HPF). T-cell receptor / immunoglobulin gene (TCR/IG) clonality and targeted exome sequencing (TES) test were performed when necessary. SPSS 22.0 software was used for statistical analysis. RESULTS: Morphological subtype (%): 11.4% (7/61) cases were classified as type Ⅰ; 50.8% (31/61) as type Ⅱ; 37.8% (23/61) as type Ⅲ. 83.6% (51/61) cases showed classical TFH immunophenotype. With variable extra-GC FDC meshwork proliferation (median 20.0%); 23.0% (14/61) had HRS-like cells; 11.5% (7/61) with large B transformation. 42.6% (26/61) of cases with high counts of EBV. 57.9% (11/19) TCR⁺/IG^-, 26.3% (5/19) TCR⁺/IG⁺, 10.5% (2/19) were TCR^－/IG^－, and 5.3% (1/19) TCR^－/IG⁺. Mutation frequencies by TES were 66.7% (20/30) for RHOA, 23.3% (7/30) for IDH2 mutation, 80.0% (24/30) for TET2 mutation, and 33.3% (10/30) DNMT3A mutation. Integrated analysis divided into four groups: (1) IDH2 and RHOA co-mutation group (7 cases): 6 cases were type Ⅱ, 1 case was type Ⅲ; all with typical TFH phenotype; HRS-like cells and large B transformation were not found; (2) RHOA single mutation group (13 cases): 1 case was type Ⅰ, 6 cases were type Ⅱ, 6 cases were type Ⅲ; 5 cases without typical TFH phenotype; 6 cases had HRS-like cells, and 2 cases with large B transformation. Atypically, 1 case showed TCR^－/IG^－, 1 case with TCR^－/IG⁺, and 1 case with TCR⁺/IG⁺; (3) TET2 and/or DNMT3A mutation alone group (7 cases): 3 cases were type Ⅱ, 4 cases were type Ⅲ, all cases were found with typical TFH phenotype; 2 cases had HRS-like cells, 2 cases with large B transformation, and atypically; (4) non-mutation group (3 cases), all were type Ⅱ, with typical TFH phenotype, with significant extra-GC FDC proliferation, without HRS-like cells and large B transformation. Atypically, 1 case was TCR^－/IG^－. Univariate analysis confirmed that higher density of EBV positive cell was independent adverse prognostic factors for both overall survival (OS) and progression free survival(PFS), (P=0.017 and P=0.046). CONCLUSION Pathological diagnoses of ALTL cases with HRS-like cells, large B transformation or type Ⅰ are difficult. Although TCR/IG gene rearrangement test is helpful but still with limitation. TES involving RHOA, IDH2, TET2, DNMT3A can robustly assist in the differential diagnosis of those difficult cases. Higher density of EBV positive cells counts in tumor tissue might be an indicator for poor survival.
Humans ; Epstein-Barr Virus Infections/genetics* ; Herpesvirus 4, Human/genetics* ; T-Lymphocytes, Helper-Inducer/pathology* ; Immunoblastic Lymphadenopathy/pathology* ; Lymphoma, T-Cell, Peripheral/pathology* ; Receptors, Antigen, T-Cell

Objective: To study the clinicopathological characteristics, and further understand primary central nervous system T-cell lymphoma (PCNSTCL) in children and adolescents. Methods: Five cases of PCNSTCL in children and adolescents were collected from December 2016 to December 2021 at the First Affiliated Hospital of Zhengzhou University. The clinicopathological characteristics, immunophenotypic, and molecular pathologic features were analyzed, and relevant literatures reviewed. Results: There were two male and three female patients with a median age of 14 years (range 11 to 18 years). There were two peripheral T-cell lymphomas, not otherwise specified, two anaplastic large cell lymphoma, ALK-positive and one NK/T cell lymphoma. Pathologically, the tumor cells showed a variable histomorphologic spectrum, including small, medium and large cells with diffuse growth pattern and perivascular accentuation. Immunohistochemistry and in situ hybridization showed CD3 expression in four cases, and CD3 was lost in one case. CD5 expression was lost in four cases and retained in one case. ALK and CD30 were expressed in two cases. One tumor expressed CD56 and Epstein-Barr virus-encoded RNA. All cases showed a cytotoxic phenotype with expression of TIA1 and granzyme B. Three cases had a high Ki-67 index (>50%). T-cell receptor (TCR) gene rearrangement was clonal in two cases. Conclusions: PCNSTCL is rare, especially in children and adolescents. The morphology of PCNSTCL is diverse. Immunohistochemistry and TCR gene rearrangement play important roles in the diagnosis.
Female ; Humans ; Male ; Central Nervous System/pathology* ; Central Nervous System Neoplasms/pathology* ; Epstein-Barr Virus Infections ; Herpesvirus 4, Human ; Lymphoma, T-Cell/pathology* ; Lymphoma, T-Cell, Peripheral/genetics* ; Receptor Protein-Tyrosine Kinases/genetics* ; Receptors, Antigen, T-Cell ; Child ; Adolescent

Biomarkers, Tumor ; metabolism ; Humans ; Immunoblastic Lymphadenopathy ; metabolism ; pathology ; Lymphoma ; genetics ; metabolism ; pathology ; Lymphoma, Follicular ; genetics ; metabolism ; pathology ; Lymphoma, T-Cell, Peripheral ; genetics ; metabolism ; pathology ; Signal Transduction ; Skin Neoplasms ; metabolism ; pathology ; T-Lymphocytes, Helper-Inducer ; metabolism ; pathology

OBJECTIVETo explore the clinicopathologic features and diagnosis of splenic T-cell and NK-cell neoplasms.

METHODSNine cases of splenic T-cell and NK-cell neoplasms were collected and studied by morphology, immunophenotyping, EBER in situ hybridization and TCR-gamma gene rearrangement. Antibodies used were as follows: CD45RO, CD3epsilon, CD3, CD4, CD8, CD56, TIA-1, GranzymeB, CD30, Ki-67 and CD20.

RESULTSAmong the 9 cases, hepatosplenic T-cell lymphoma (HSTCL) and extranodal nasal type NK/T-cell lymphoma (NK/TCL) were both of 4 cases, and the remaining one was peripheral T-cell lymphoma, unspecified (PTL, unspecified). Follow up data were available for 7 cases. Five patients including 2 with HSTCL, 2 with extranodal nasal type NK/TCL and one with PTL, unspecified died, with survival times ranged from 1 to 10 months. The other two patients are still alive, one with NK/TCL (two months+) and one with HSTCL (14+ months).

CONCLUSIONSplenic T-cell and NK-cell neoplasms are a group of uncommon lymphomas with heterogeneous clinicopathologic features and poor prognosis. A definite diagnosis must depend on clinical manifestations, histopathology, immunophenotype and TCR gene rearrangement analysis.

Adolescent ; Adult ; Child ; Female ; Follow-Up Studies ; Gene Rearrangement ; Humans ; Immunophenotyping ; Lymphoma, Extranodal NK-T-Cell ; genetics ; immunology ; pathology ; Lymphoma, T-Cell, Peripheral ; genetics ; immunology ; pathology ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Splenic Neoplasms ; genetics ; immunology ; pathology

OBJECTIVEwe aimed to investigate the mutation and expression of BRAF gene in mature T/NK cell lymphoma tissues and cell lines, explore the correlation between gene alterations and clinicopathological features and clinical outcomes of mature T/NK cell lymphoma.

METHODSFirstly, we detected common mutant sites of BRAF (locus 1 799 mutation in exon 15 and loci 463, 465 and 468 mutation in exon 11) in lymphoma Jurkat, Hut-78 and YTS cell lines, normal peripheral blood lymphocytes, different types of mature T/NK cell lymphoma and reactive hyperplasia lymph nodes by direct sequencing. Then we measured the expression of BRAF in Jurkat, Hut-78, YTS cells and normal peripheral blood lymphocytes by real time-PCR and Western-blot detection. We also used immunohistochemistry (IHC) to detect the expression of BRAF in mature T/NK cell lymphoma tissues and reactive hyperplasia lymph nodes, and to analyze the correlation between the expression of BRAF and clinocopathological features and clinical outcomes.

RESULTSWe did not find common BRAF mutation in mature T/NK cell lymphoma tissues and cell lines, and the relatively expression of BRAF gene mRNA in normal peripheral blood lymphocytes, YTS, Hut-78 and Jurkat cells were 1.000, 5.207±0.013, 8.412±0.615 and 36.720±1.797, respectively, and protein expressions were 0.051±0.003, 0.102±0.013, 0.113±0.017 and 0.304±0.010, respectively, and the expression of BRAF in peripheral T cell lymphoma Jurkat cells was significantly higher than that of Hut-78, YTS cells and normal lymphocytes (P<0.05). Only 6 of 58 peripheral T cell lymphomas (10.3%) had positive BRAF expression, and were the subgroups of peripheral T cell lymphoma-unspecified type. The statistical data did not show any correlation between positive expression of BRAF and gender, age, clinical stage, location, lactate dehydrogenase in the 21 cases of peripheral T cell lymphoma-unspecified type (P<0.05), but the positive rate of BRAF in the effective treatment group (8.3%) was significantly lower than that of the invalid group (55.6%, P<0.05).

CONCLUSIONThe expression of BRAF gene may become a marker of malignant biological characteristics and clinical therapeutic target of peripheral T cell lymphoma.

Exons ; Humans ; Immunohistochemistry ; Killer Cells, Natural ; Lymphoma, T-Cell, Peripheral ; genetics ; metabolism ; pathology ; Proto-Oncogene Proteins B-raf ; genetics ; metabolism ; Pseudolymphoma ; genetics ; metabolism ; RNA, Messenger ; metabolism

OBJECTIVETo study the significance of B-cell clones in angioimmunoblastic T cell lymphoma (AITL) and the correlation with Epstein-Barr virus (EBV) and prognosis.

METHODThe histopathologic features, T cell clonality and EBV positivity in 33 cases of AITL and 10 cases of peripheral T-cell lymphoma, not otherwise specified (PTCL-NOS) collected from May 2010 to February 2014 were analyzed by immunohistochemistry, PCR gene rearrangement and in situ hybridization. Follow-up data were also collected.

RESULTSOf the 33 cases with AITL, seven cases (21.2%) exhibited clonal rearrangement of Ig genes; 21 cases (63.6%) were EBV positive. Seven cases had B-cell clones and all (7/7) were EBV positive; 14 of the 26 (53.8%) cases without B-cell clones were EBV positive. The difference between the two groups was statistically significant (P = 0.032). Four levels were made according to the number of EBV-labeled cells, Ig gene rearrangements, but there was no significant difference among levels 1, 2 and 3. There was no correlation between B-cell clones and prognosis (P = 0.263).

CONCLUSIONClonal rearrangement of Ig genes is a common finding in AITL, and it is highly associated with EBV positivity, but not with the number of EBV-labeled cells. The clinical significance remains unclear; further study with more samples is warranted.

B-Lymphocytes ; pathology ; Female ; Gene Rearrangement ; Genes, Immunoglobulin ; Herpesvirus 4, Human ; isolation & purification ; Humans ; Immunohistochemistry ; In Situ Hybridization ; Lymphoma, Large-Cell, Immunoblastic ; genetics ; pathology ; Lymphoma, T-Cell, Peripheral ; genetics ; pathology ; Male ; Polymerase Chain Reaction ; Prognosis ; T-Lymphocytes

Objective: To investigate the clinicopathological characteristics and prognosis of mature T/NK cell lymphomas with aberrant CD20 or CD79α expression. Methods: A retrospective analysis of 641 cases of mature T/NK cell lymphoma diagnosed from January 2014 to December 2020 was performed, and 14 cases of CD20-positive and one case of CD79α-positive mature T/NK-cell lymphoma were identified. Histological examination, immunohistochemical characterization, in situ hybridization for Epstein-Barr virus encoded early RNA (EBER), and PCR testing for immunoglobulin and T cell receptor (TCR) gene rearrangements were performed. Clinicopathological characteristics of these lymphomas were analyzed. Results: There were 13 males and 2 females, with a median age of 56 years. There were 8 cases of peripheral T-cell lymphoma, not otherwise specified (PTCL-NOS), 3 cases of extranodal NK/T-cell lymphoma, nasal type (ENKTCL), 2 cases of monomorphic epitheliotropic intestinal T-cell lymphoma (MEITL) and 2 cases of angioimmunoblastic T-cell lymphoma (AITL). Twelve cases were stage Ⅲ or Ⅳ lymphomas. The prognosis was overall poor. The histology, immunophenotype and TCR gene rearrangement were not significantly different from the corresponding types of lymphoma. Ki-67 proliferation index was over 70% in all cases. The expression of CD20 or CD79α was weak and heterogeneous. All 15 case of Ig gene rearrangement were polyclonal. Conclusions: Mature T/NK cell lymphoma with abnormal expression of CD20 or CD79α is rare, commonly found in advanced stage, and associated with poor prognosis. The expression of CD20 or CD79α in these cases is weaker than the corresponding mature T/NK cell lymphomas, while its proliferation index is higher. Histomorphology, extensive immunoprofiling and molecular detection are required for accurate diagnosis.
Antigens, CD20 ; Epstein-Barr Virus Infections/complications* ; Female ; Herpesvirus 4, Human/genetics* ; Humans ; Killer Cells, Natural/pathology* ; Lymphoma, T-Cell, Peripheral/pathology* ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Receptors, Antigen, T-Cell ; Retrospective Studies

The incidence of posttransplantation lymphoproliferative disorders (PTLDs) has increased in recent years. Although rare, various types of T-cell lymphoma have been reported and their association with Epstein-Barr virus (EBV) has been compared with B-cell PTLDs. We report a case of splenic peripheral T-cell lymphoma occurring in a 47-yr-old male patient 7 yr after renal allograft transplantation. The spleen showed sinusoidal proliferation of focal CD30 positive, large, atypical lymphoid cells. Positivity for CD3 and cytolytic granule-associated proteins was also demonstrated in the tumor cells, while anaplastic large cell lymphoma kinase (ALK) and CD8 were not expressed. Strong nuclear signals for EBV mRNA were noted by EBER1 in situ hybridization. A molecular genetic study demonstrated a rearrangement of the gamma T-cell receptor gene. To our knowledge, this case is unique in terms of a posttransplant T-cell lymphoma that shows focal CD30, cytolytic granule-associated proteins, and EBV positivity.
Antigens, CD30/genetics ; Antigens, CD30/metabolism ; Herpesvirus 4, Human/genetics ; Herpesvirus 4, Human/metabolism* ; Human ; Kidney Transplantation* ; Lymphoma, T-Cell, Peripheral/pathology ; Lymphoma, T-Cell, Peripheral/virology* ; Male ; Membrane Proteins/metabolism ; Middle Aged ; RNA, Viral ; RNA-Binding Proteins/metabolism ; Serine Endopeptidases/metabolism ; Splenic Neoplasms/pathology ; Splenic Neoplasms/virology*

OBJECTIVETo evaluate the expression and prognostic significance of T-bet and its cofactors EOMES, ETS-1 and MEF [which are transcription factors and responsible for development of natural killer (NK) cells] in the extranodal NK/T-cell lymphoma, nasal type (EN-NK/T-NT).

METHODSThe expression status of T-bet, EOMES, ETS-1 and MEF in 40 cases of EN-NK/T-NT occurring in Chinese population was studied by immunohistochemistry and in-situ hybridization (ISH). The clinical relevance was also evaluated. The control cases included 18 cases of peripheral T-cell lymphoma, 10 cases of B-cell lymphoma, 5 cases of normal spleen, 5 cases of normal thymus and 10 cases of nasal mucosal tissues affected by chronic inflammation.

RESULTSThe expression levels of T-bet mRNA and protein were high in EN-NK/T-NT (82.5% and 100%, respectively) and in peripheral T cell lymphoma (17/18 and 72.2%, respectively). There was no expression in B-cell lymphoma. The expression of EOMES (80.0% by ISH), ETS-1 (82.5% by ISH) and MEF (62.5% by ISH) was high in EN-NK/T-NT, but not in the control group. The frequency of co-expression of T-bet and EOMES (75%, 30/40) was significantly higher than that of the other genes. Follow-up study showed that the mean and median survival of the 19 cases of EN-NK/ T-NT was 33 months and 10 months, respectively. The five-year survival rate was 10.5%. Statistical analysis showed that only treatment modalities significantly affected the patients' overall survival; and none of the four transcription factors had significant impact on survival. The expression rates of T-bet, EOMES, ETS-1 or MEF had no significant difference between the 9 alive and the 10 dead cases.

CONCLUSIONSThe expression of T-bet correlates with the lymphoma types. It is mainly expressed in peripheral NK and T-cell lymphomas. The important functional gene engaged in NK cells development is highly expressed in EN-NK/T-NT. They may play a crucial role in pathogenesis and aggressive biologic behavior.

Adolescent ; Adult ; Aged ; China ; epidemiology ; DNA-Binding Proteins ; metabolism ; Female ; Follow-Up Studies ; Humans ; Lymphoma, Extranodal NK-T-Cell ; Lymphoma, T-Cell, Peripheral ; metabolism ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Nose Neoplasms ; drug therapy ; metabolism ; pathology ; radiotherapy ; Proto-Oncogene Protein c-ets-1 ; metabolism ; RNA, Messenger ; metabolism ; Survival Rate ; T-Box Domain Proteins ; genetics ; metabolism ; Transcription Factors ; metabolism ; Young Adult