Leuk Lymphoma. 2003 Feb;44(2):269-73.

Aberrant immunophenotypes of mantle cell lymphomas.

Wohlschlaeger Ch, Lange K, Merz H, Feller AC.

Institute of Pathology, University of Luebeck, Ratzeburger Allee 160, 23538 Luebeck, Germany.

Mantle cell lymphomas (MCL) are characterized by cytomorphological criteria, a distinct immunophenotype and a characteristic chromosomal aberration (t(11;14)). In morphological variants of MCL the immunohistochemical constellation with CD5-positivity and CD23-negativity is a helpful and decisive diagnostic aid to differentiate MCL from other B-cell-lymphomas, e.g. lymphocytic lymphomas (B-CLL). In this study the morphological, immunophenotypical, and genetical features of 50 MCL were analysed. Five cases revealed an aberrant immunophenotype with lacking expression of CD5 (n = 3) and positive reactivity to CD23 (n = 2) while cyclin D1 expression could be demonstrated in all 5 cases. These constellations show that there is, besides morphological subgroups, a small group of MCL with aberrant immunophenotypes, which has to be taken into account in the differential diagnosis to lymphocytic lymphoma and other lymphomas.

PMID: 12688344 [PubMed - indexed for MEDLINE]