Canonical and non-canonical Wnt signal pathway in classic Hodgkin lymphoma and the prognostic significance of LEF1, β-catenin, FZD6 and Wnt5a/b

Aberrant Wnt signaling has been found in many solid organ cancers, as well as hematological malignancies. However, its role in classic Hodgkin lymphoma (CHL) remains unclear. We evaluated the expression of Wnt signaling components LEF1, β-catenin, FZD6 and Wnt5a/b and their correlation with the prognosis in 50 CHL patients by immunohistochemical stains. The neoplastic Hodgkin/Reed-Sternberg (HRS) cells showed expression of LEF1, FZD6, and Wnt5a/b but absent nuclear β-catenin. Wnt5a/b expression was seen in a significantly higher percentage of stage IV patients (67%) compared to other stages (p=0.03). However, there was no correlation between the expression of LEF1, FZD6 and Wnt5a/b and patients' stage or survival. In summary, our results confirmed decreased β-catenin expression in HRS. Non-canonical Wnt pathway may play a role in the microenvironment that facilitates HRS migration, however, it is not sufficient to consider LEF1, β-catenin, FZD6 and Wnt5a/b as prognostic factors for CHL.