Epstein-Barr virus (EBV) positive classical Hodgkin lymphoma of Iraqi children: An immunophenotypic and molecular characterization of Hodgkin/Reed-Sternberg cells
- 2 September 2013
- journal article
- research article
- Published by Wiley in Pediatric Blood & Cancer
- Vol. 60 (12), 2068-2072
- https://doi.org/10.1002/pbc.24654
Abstract
Classical Hodgkin lymphoma (cHL) in children is often associated with EBV infection, more commonly in developing countries. Here we describe the histological, immunohistochemical, and molecular features of 57 cases of HL affecting Iraqi children under 14 years of age. Histologically, 51 cases were classified as cHL of Mixed Cellularity and Nodular Sclerosis subtypes (MC = 69%; NS = 31%), and 6 cases as Nodular Lymphocyte Predominant HL (NLP-HL). EBV infection of H/RS cells was demonstrated in 44 of 51 cases of cHL (86%), and was more common in MC than in NS (97% vs. 63%; P = 0.0025). The immunophenotypic profile of H/RS cells was similar in MC and NS, and was not influenced by EBV infection; H/RS cells were consistently positive for PAX-5 and to a lesser degree for other B cell markers including CD20/CD79a, OCT-2, and BOB-1. Clonal IGH rearrangements were detected in 14 of 38 cHL (37%), with no significant difference between MC and NS cases, and with no association with the EBV status. Oligoclonal/monoclonal TCRγ rearrangements were present in 28 of 38 cases (74%), suggestive of restricted T cell responses. Our findings indicate that cHL occurring in Iraqi children is characterized by immunohistochemical and molecular features undistinguishable from those present in cHL occurring elsewhere in the world. Moreover, the high incidence of EBV-infected H/RS cells and frequent occurrence of restricted T cell responses might be indicative of a defective local immune response perhaps related to the very young age of the children.Keywords
Funding Information
- MIUR/PRIN 2009, Sapienza University of Rome, Italy
- AIRC
- Ministero degli Affari Esteri of Italy
- European Space Agency (ESA)
- Telecomunicazioni Italiane (Telbios) and Telespazio, Satellite Services
- INTERSOS
This publication has 25 references indexed in Scilit:
- Classical Hodgkin's lymphoma arising in different host's conditions: Pathobiology parameters, therapeutic options, and outcomeAmerican Journal of Hematology, 2011
- Changing patterns in the frequency of Hodgkin lymphoma subtypes and Epstein–Barr virus association in TaiwanCancer Science, 2008
- Hodgkin’s lymphoma in Indian children: Prevalence and significance of Epstein–Barr virus detection in Hodgkin’s and Reed–Sternberg cellsEuropean Journal Of Cancer, 2007
- Viruses and Hodgkin's lymphomaAnnals of Oncology, 2002
- Epstein-Barr virus (EBV) in Chinese pediatric Hodgkin diseaseCancer, 2001
- Variation in the frequency of Epstein–Barr virus-associated Hodgkin's disease with ageLeukemia, 2000
- Epstein-Barr virus-associated Hodgkin's disease: Epidemiologic characteristics in international dataInternational Journal of Cancer, 1997
- Epidemiology of EBV and Hodgkin's lymphomaAnnals Of Oncology, 1996
- Epstein-Barr virus and childhood Hodgkin's disease in Honduras and the United StatesBlood, 1993
- Detection of Epstein-Barr virus genomes in Hodgkin's disease: relation to age.Journal of Clinical Pathology, 1991