[Expression of Oct2 and its significance in lymphoma diagnosis].

OBJECTIVE

To investigate the specificity and sensitivity of Oct2 protein expression in lymphoma cells and its significance in diagnosis and classification of lymphoma.

METHODS

Formalin-fixed and paraffin-embedded materials from 129 cases of lymphoma and 10 cases of reactive lymphoid hyperplasia (RLH) were studied by EnVision immunohistochemistry for Oct2 protein.

RESULTS

Oct2 was mainly expressed in germinal center cells of RLH. It was diffusely expressed in B-cell lymphoma cells. 97.7% cases (85/87) of B-cell lymphoma and 3.8% cases (1/26) of T-cell lymphoma were positive for Oct2 protein. In comparison, the expression rates for CD20 and CD79alpha in B-cell lymphomas were 90.8% (79/87) and 84.7% (61/72) respectively. The difference in expression rates between Oct2 protein and CD20 was not statistically significant (P > 0.05) There was, however, significant difference in expression rates between Oct2 protein and CD79alpha (P < 0.05). The expression rates of Oct2 protein in nodular lymphocyte-predominant Hodgkin lymphoma and classic Hodgkin lymphoma were 3/3 and 46.2% (6/13) respectively. The difference in expression rates of Oct2 protein in these two groups showed no statistical significance (P > 0.05).

CONCLUSION

As a relatively sensitive and specific marker for B cells, Oct2 can serve as a useful antibody for the diagnosis and differential diagnosis of lymphoma.