Molecular Analysis of IGH and Incomplete IGH D-J Clonality Gene Rearrangements in Hodgkin Lymphoma Malignancies.

BACKGROUND: We evaluated molecular clonality in immunoglobulin heavy chain (IGH) and incomplete IGH D-J genes for improvement of clinical diagnosis of Hodgkin's lymphoma (HL). We applied BIOMED-2 protocols in HL cases, which were previously approved by clonality detection in non-Hodgkin lymphoma (NHL) cases. METHODS: We investigated 50 consecutive FFPE samples of classical HL (cHL) patients to assess IGH and IGH D-J clonal gene rearrangements by multiplex PCR protocols, which were provided by the European Biomedicine and Health (BIOMED-2) Concerted Action Project BMH4-CT98-3936. RESULTS: In the present study, there was a monoclonality of 86% (43/50) including a clonality of 74% (37/50) for IGH and a clonality of 42% (21/50) in IGHD-J. In addition, a lack of clonality was detected in 14% (7/50) of cases. Frequent gene rearrangements were detected in framework (FR) III (54%) and FRII (20%), whereas no clonality was seen in FRI. Furthermore, a monoclonality of 28% and 14% was detected in the DH(1-6)-JH and DH(see symbol)-JH gene rearrangements, respectively. CONCLUSIONS: The present study suggests that the complete IGH and incomplete IGH D-J clonality gene rearrangement assays using BIOMED-2 protocols could be considered a valuable method for detection of clonal gene rearrangements, especially in HL cases.

Cyclooxygenase-2 expression in lymphoma in north-west of iran.

BACKGROUND: Lymphomas are a group of malignancies affecting B, T and NK cells. Cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2) enzyme is one of the known inflammatory factors which increase during the inflammation process. Increase in COX-2 expression inhibits apoptosis and increases tumor cells invasion and angiogenesis. Increase in the COX-2 gene expression is seen in a group of cancers. Specific COX-2 inhibition also can be beneficial in some cancers through apoptosis stimulation. MATERIALS & METHODS: In this descriptive-analytic study, the degree of COX-2 expression was evaluated in patients with non-Hodgkin lymphoma. The following variables were used in this study: gender, age, lymphoma type, the stage of disease, the degree of disease, the existence of B symptom, extranodal involvement, response to treatment, death and LDH levels. Paraffin-embedded tissue blocks from 153 cases of non-Hodgkin' and Hodgkin' lymphoma were selected for immunohistochemical staining of COX-2 expression. RESULTS: COX-2 level was reported positive in 4 (4.7%) patients with non-Hodgkin's lymphoma and 4 (5.7%) with Hodgkin's lymphoma. Fifteen patients experienced relapses and 9 died during the median follow-up of 7 years. There was no significant relationship between quantitative and qualitative variables and COX-2 expression. Also, there was no relationship between COX-2 and type of lymphoma (P=0.476). CONCLUSION: According to our results, no relationship between COX-2 expression and type of lymphoma was found. We recommend more patient involvement to assess COX-2 expression. Apparently, it seems that the patient's race (Azari) may have an impact on the results of this study.

Arsenic trioxide in patients with refractory multiple myeloma: a prospective, phase II, single-arm study.

Multiple myeloma (MM) characterized by proliferation of plasma cells in bone marrow and production of monoclonal immunoglobulin's. Recently, arsenic trioxide (ATO), has been considered for treatment refractory MM. We assessed the safety and efficacy of ATO for patients with refractory MM. A phase 2, study of arsenic trioxide was conducted in 12 MM patients, whose refractory to two standard therapy. Patients received arsenic trioxide, 0.25 mg/kg/d for 5 d/week during the first 2 consecutive weeks of each 4-week cycle with 2 week rest. Patients who completed one 4-week cycle were evaluated for response to treatment. Twelve patients with refractory multiple myeloma received ATO. Disease assessment was based the amount of serum proteins electrophoresis. Of the10 patients; stable disease was observed in four patients(33%), progression disease in five patients (41.6%), complete response in one patient (3.8%) and the remaining two patients could not be assessed for a response (because of increased liver enzymes after the first week). Some adverse events: increase liver enzymes and serum creatinine, neutropenia, pruritus, nausea, vomiting, lower extremities edema, noninfectious diarrhea was observed. These results indicate that ATO is active and well tolerated as a single-agent salvage therapy, even in patients with late-stage, refractory MM.