An immunohistochemical study of double-expressor lymphomas and its correlation with cell of origin.

BACKGROUND

Diffuse large B cell Lymphomas (DLBCL) that co express C MYC and BCL 2 are known as 'double expressor lymphomas' and are believed to have a worse prognosis than other diffuse large B cell lymphomas. This was a study to assess the frequency of double expressor lymphomas in our cohort of DLBCL.

AIMS AND

OBJECTIVES

The aims of this study were to assess the frequency of double expression of C MYC and BCL 2 in cases of DLBCL and to correlate the same with clinicopathological parameters including cell of origin, namely germinal centre type versus non germinal centre type.

MATERIALS AND

METHODS

This was a retrospective observational study Immunostaining for MYC antibody and BCL2 were performed using the standard polymer/DAB technique. 40% for MYC and 50% for BCL2 were taken as cut off values.Chi square analysis was used to compare the variables, and a p value of less than 0.05 was taken as statistically significant.

RESULTS

Of 40 cases studied, 11 (27.5%) were double expressors. There was no significant correlation of double expression with gender, site (nodal versus extra nodal), cell of origin namely germinal centre/non germinal centre types and Ki67 index when compared to the other group which did not show double expression.

CONCLUSIONS

Immunohistochemistry is a useful technique to detect double expressor lymphomas which are known to have an aggressive course. Cell of origin did not show significant correlation with double expression in our study.