Bright CD38 Expression by Flow Cytometric Analysis Is a Biomarker for Double/Triple Hit Lymphomas with a Moderate Sensitivity and High Specificity

Abdullah Alsuwaidan, Elaina Pirruccello, Jesse Jaso, Prasad Koduru, Rolando Garcia, Jo Ellen Krueger, Meggie Doucet, Rahman Chaudhry, Franklin Fuda, Weina Chen

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

22 Scopus citations

Abstract

Background: High-grade B-cell lymphomas (HGBCL) with MYC and BCL2 or/and BCL6 rearrangements (R), so-called double/triple-hit lymphomas (DH/THL), are uncommon, clinically aggressive lymphomas that require a prompt diagnosis. We aim to identify flow cytometric immunophenotypic (IP) features of DH/THL that may aid in triaging these cases followed by a timely confirmatory cytogenetic study. Methods: We compared the IP features of 43 cases of DH/THL to those of 55 cases of single-hit lymphoma (SHL) and 59 cases of diffuse large B-cell lymphoma (DLBCL) without MYC-R (MYCneg DLBCL). We analyzed the expression patterns of CD10, CD19, CD20, CD38, and surface immunoglobulin light chain in lymphoma cells. Results: Bright CD38 expression (CD38bright) analyzed either qualitatively or semi-quantitatively was more common in DH/THL (56%) than in MYCneg DLBCL (17%) but less common compared to SHL (82%), indicating that CD38bright can serve as a biomarker for DH/THL. Additionally, CD38bright may be a better indicator for predicting DH/THL-BCL2 than DHL-BCL6, and very bright CD38 expression was exclusive to MYC rearranged lymphomas. The expression patterns of other markers were similar among these lymphoma groups. Conclusions: CD38bright is a biomarker associated with DH/THL with a moderate sensitivity (~50%) and high specificity (~90%). While this marker cannot be used as a screening tool, awareness of this correlation may aid in expediting the diagnosis and prioritizing FISH testing in resource limited settings or situations when samples are limited. Future studies to combine immunohistochemical markers are needed to further enhance the predictive power of CD38bright in diagnosing DH/THL.

Original languageEnglish (US)
Pages (from-to)368-374
Number of pages7
JournalCytometry Part B - Clinical Cytometry
Volume96
Issue number5
DOIs
StatePublished - Sep 1 2019

Keywords

  • Burkitt lymphoma
  • CD38
  • MYC
  • diffuse large B-cell lymphoma
  • double/triple hit lymphomas
  • flow cytometry
  • high grade B-cell lymphoma
  • large B-cell lymphoma

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • Pathology and Forensic Medicine
  • Histology
  • Cell Biology

Fingerprint

Dive into the research topics of 'Bright CD38 Expression by Flow Cytometric Analysis Is a Biomarker for Double/Triple Hit Lymphomas with a Moderate Sensitivity and High Specificity'. Together they form a unique fingerprint.

Cite this