T-cell variant of classical Hodgkin's lymphoma with nodal and cutaneous manifestations demonstrated by single-cell polymerase chain reaction

Lab Invest. 2002 Sep;82(9):1103-9. doi: 10.1097/01.lab.0000027839.98023.5a.

Abstract

The atypical cells of CD30(+) cutaneous lymphoproliferative disorders (CD30CLD) are commonly of T-cell origin and frequently have a similar morphology as Hodgkin or Reed-Sternberg cells of Hodgkin's lymphoma (HL). HL is one of the tumors associated with CD30CLD. Although most studies support a B-cell derivation of the tumor cells in HL, recently a few cases of classical HL with T-cell genotype have been reported. We report a patient who presented with CD30CLD whose lymph nodes showed classical HL of mixed cellularity subtype at presentation. By single-cell PCR, the same clonal gene rearrangements of the T cell receptor-beta gene locus could be assigned to the CD30(+) and CD15(+) cells of both skin and lymph node. In a lymph node biopsy specimen taken in relapse after several courses of chemotherapy, the CD30(+) tumor cells were abundant. The T cell-derived tumor cells displayed aberrant expression of the Pax-5 gene in all specimens. A common clonal origin of both CD30CLD and HL of the lymph node in the patient presented here suggests that HL with T-cell genotype exists in association with CD30CLD as well as in sporadic cases and may share clonal origin with the skin tumor.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • DNA-Binding Proteins / analysis
  • Female
  • Gene Rearrangement, beta-Chain T-Cell Antigen Receptor
  • Hodgkin Disease / classification
  • Hodgkin Disease / pathology*
  • Humans
  • Immunohistochemistry
  • Ki-1 Antigen / analysis*
  • Lewis X Antigen / analysis
  • Lymph Nodes / pathology*
  • Lymphoma, T-Cell / pathology*
  • Lymphoproliferative Disorders / pathology*
  • Middle Aged
  • PAX5 Transcription Factor
  • Polymerase Chain Reaction / methods*
  • Skin Diseases / pathology*
  • Transcription Factors / analysis

Substances

  • DNA-Binding Proteins
  • Ki-1 Antigen
  • Lewis X Antigen
  • PAX5 Transcription Factor
  • PAX5 protein, human
  • Transcription Factors