Decreased CD10 Expression in Grade III and in Interfollicular Infiltrates of Follicular Lymphomas

Abstract

CD10 expression in various grades and interfollicular infiltrates of follicular lymphoma (FL) has not been well documented. Immunohistochemical staining for CD10 (clone 56C6) was performed on paraffin-embedded tissue from 26 cases of classic FL. Negative or weak expression of CD10 was more frequent in grade III (5/6 [83%]) than in grade I FLs (3/15 [20%]). CD10+ interfollicular infiltrates were present in 16 cases. Six (38%) of 16 cases showed that CD10 expression was strong or moderate in follicular areas but weak or negative in interfollicular infiltrates. Our results suggest that CD10 expression is frequently weak to negative in grade III and in interfollicular infiltrates of FLs. Therefore, lack of CD10 expression on small specimens, such as from needle core biopsy or fine-needle aspiration, does not preclude the possibility of a diagnosis of FL. Furthermore, lack of CD10 expression in diffuse large B-cell lymphoma does not exclude the possibility that the neoplastic lymphocytes are of follicle center cell origin.

Low-grade follicular lymphoma with t(14;18) presents a homogeneous disease entity otherwise the rest comprises minor groups of heterogeneous disease entities with Bcl2 amplification, Bcl6 translocation or other gene aberrances

“…Its expression was lower in grade 3 than in grade 1 and grade 2 FLs. 13 In our study, CD10 was positive in 90% of grade 1 and grade 2 cases, which is consistent with previous assay results (70-100%). However, CD10 positivity was observed in 53% of grade 3 cases, which was higher than previously reported (20%).…”

“…It is well known that CD10 and Bcl6 are recognized as characteristic markers for normal follicles and FL. 13,29 The Bcl6 expression pattern in FL is similar to that in normal follicles. 8,10 Its expression frequency has been reported high (94 to 100%) in FL.…”

“…However, CD10 positivity was observed in 53% of grade 3 cases, which was higher than previously reported (20%). 13 Cases with t(14;18) almost invariably showed expression of Bcl2, whereas Bcl2 was expressed in cases lacking the translocation. In a recent study, 89% of FL associated with t(14;18) stained for Bcl2 protein, whereas 25% of FL lacking t(14;18) showed Bcl2 immunoreactivity.…”

“…12 CD10 expression is found in 70-100% of patients with FL grade 1 and 2, but in only 20% of patients with FL grade 3. 13 Aberrant Bcl2 expression caused by chromosome translocation has been considered the triggering factor in development of FL. Aberrant Bcl2 expression prevents cell death of FL cells originating from follicular centre cells, while at the same time follicular dendritic cells provide them with growth signals.…”

Nodal Follicular Lymphomas: A Clinicopathological Study from a Tertiary Care Centre in South India

“…FL grade 3 has been reported to express the BCL2 protein in only 50 % of patients which could be due to the mutations in translocated BCL2 genes, which hampers the detection of the protein [1,7,8]. The CD10 membrane glycoprotein is found in 70-100 % of patients with grade 1 and 2, but in only 20 % of patients with grade 3 FL [9]. Correlation of BCL2 staining with grade showed statistical significance in our study (p = 0.03).…”