Frequent CD7 Antigen Loss in Aggressive Natural Killer-Cell Leukemia: A Useful Diagnostic Marker / 대한진단검사의학회지

BACKGROUND: Aggressive natural killer-cell leukemia (ANKL) is a rare neoplasm characterized by systemic proliferation of NK cells. However, the differential diagnosis of NK lymphoproliferative disorders is difficult because of the absence of a distinct diagnostic hallmark. Therefore, to identify diagnostic markers for ANKL, we analyzed the clinical data and laboratory findings obtained for 20 patients with ANKL. METHODS: From January 2000 to July 2007, 20 patients were diagnosed with ANKL on the basis of bone marrow studies. We retrospectively analyzed the clinical features and laboratory findings, including the complete blood count, Epstein-Barr virus status, immunophenotype, and the cytogenetic results. RESULTS: The subjects included 6 women and 14 men (median age, 44 yr; range, 2-70 yr). Cytogenetic studies were performed in 18 patients, and karyotypic abnormalities were observed in 9 patients (50%). None of the cytogenetic abnormalities were constantly observed in all the patients. However, 6q abnormalities were observed in 4 patients (4/18, 22%). The immunophenotype of the leukemic NK-cells was cytoplasmic CD3+, surface CD3-, CD16/56+, CD2+, and CD5-. Notably, the CD7 antigen was absent in 10 patients (50%). When the CD7 loss was combined with cytogenetic abnormalities, clonal markers could be identified in 75% of the ANKL cases. CONCLUSIONS: The CD7 antigen loss was frequently observed in our series of ANKL patients. In conjunction with the cytogenetic findings, this characteristic immunophenotypic finding can serve as a reliable marker for the timely diagnosis of ANKL. Therefore, immunophenotypic analysis of CD7 expression should be included in the diagnosis of NK cell neoplasms.

Flow cytometric immunophenotyping in fine-needle aspiration of lymph nodes

Fine-needle aspiration (FNA) of lymph nodes has been regarded as a useful method in the diagnosis of lymphadenopathy. However, this procedure has been shown to be of limited value in the diagnosis of low or intermediate grade malignant lymphomas in some studies. Immunophenotyping is an essential adjunct to cytomorphology for the diagnosis of lymphoma by FNA. Immunophenotyping using flow cytometry (FCM) is rapid, objective and reliable. Using FCM, multiparametric analysis of 33 FNA materials from lymph nodes was performed and profiles of surface markers of lymphoid cells were assessed. In reactive hyperplasia, patterns of cell surface markers were quite variable, but disclosed polyclonality. Most of the B-cell lymphomas showed immunophenotypes for B-cell lineages with their kappa: lambda or lambda: kappa ratio being over 3:1. In T-cell lymphomas, T-cell surface markers were predominantly expressed as well. In conclusion, our results suggest that immunophenotyping of lymph node aspirates is a valuable diagnostic adjunct for lymphoproliferative disorders, particularly in B-cell lymphomas because immunophenotyping can be easily and adequately performed by FCM.