High infiltration of CD20+ B lymphocytes in extranodal natural killer/T-cell lymphoma is associated with better prognosis

Br J Haematol. 2020 Dec;191(5):e116-e120. doi: 10.1111/bjh.17069. Epub 2020 Sep 10.

Abstract

Immune cells have an uncertain function during the progression of extranodal natural killer/T-cell lymphoma (ENKTL). The present study determined the distribution, phenotype, and clinical significance of B lymphocytes in ENKTL. Immunohistochemistry indicated high infiltration of CD20+ B lymphocytes in the tumour tissues of 40% of the patients, and that a high infiltration correlated with better overall survival. Moreover, B lymphocytes had an active mature phenotype in situ and suppressed the proliferation of ENKTL cells in vitro. These results suggest that tumour infiltration of CD20+ B lymphocytes may be a new prognostic indicator for patients with ENKTL.

Keywords: B lymphocytes; CD20; biomarker; extranodal natural killer/T‐cell lymphoma (ENKTL); prognosis.

Publication types

  • Letter
  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Antigens, CD20 / metabolism*
  • B-Lymphocytes / metabolism
  • B-Lymphocytes / pathology
  • Disease-Free Survival
  • Female
  • Humans
  • Immunohistochemistry
  • Lymphocytes, Tumor-Infiltrating* / metabolism
  • Lymphocytes, Tumor-Infiltrating* / pathology
  • Lymphoma, Extranodal NK-T-Cell* / metabolism
  • Lymphoma, Extranodal NK-T-Cell* / mortality
  • Lymphoma, Extranodal NK-T-Cell* / pathology
  • Male
  • Survival Rate

Substances

  • Antigens, CD20