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Prognostic significance of proliferative and apoptotic fractions in low grade follicle center cell‐derived non‐Hodgkin's lymphomas
Author(s) -
Czader Magdalena,
Mazur Joanna,
Pettersson Mikael,
Liliemark Jan,
Strömberg Mats,
Christensson Birger,
Tribukait Bernard,
Auer Gert,
Öst Åke,
Porwit Anna
Publication year - 1996
Publication title -
cancer
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 3.052
H-Index - 304
eISSN - 1097-0142
pISSN - 0008-543X
DOI - 10.1002/(sici)1097-0142(19960315)77:6<1180::aid-cncr26>3.0.co;2-x
Subject(s) - tunel assay , apoptosis , germinal center , lymphoma , medicine , dna damage , follicular lymphoma , follicular phase , follicle , cell cycle , pathology , andrology , cancer , gastroenterology , cancer research , oncology , biology , immunology , b cell , dna , immunohistochemistry , antibody , biochemistry
BACKGROUND The biologic parameters, DNA ploidy and proliferative activity, have been suggested as prognostic factors in non‐Hodgkin's lymphoma (NHL). However, reports on the prognostic importance of these factors in follicle center cell‐derived (FCC) centroblastic/centrocytic (CB/CC) NHL patients with long follow‐up are scarce. METHODS Apoptotic fractions were quantified in 60 patients with CB/CC NHL by in situ labeling of DNA strand breaks in nuclei [TdT‐mediated dUTP/dATP in situ 3′OH—end labeling (TUNEL)]. The findings were related to S‐phase and MIB‐1 counts, DNA ploidy, and clinical outcome. RESULTS In CB/CC NHL, the percentages of proliferating and apoptotic cells were lower than in reactive germinal centers (GC; P < 0.05; mean, 0.188 vs. 3.263% and 19.05 vs. 69.4% for TUNEL and MIB‐1 positive cells in CB/CC and GC, respectively). Significantly higher percentages of MIB‐1 and TUNEL positive cells were observed in patients with complete remission when compared with the partial remission/no response group ( P < 0.01). The size of proliferative and apoptotic fractions did not correlate with the overall survival of the patients. However, follicular and diffuse growth pattern, elevated serum lactic dehydrogenase, advanced stage, and age indicated a lower probability of 5‐ and 10‐year survival. CONCLUSIONS The investigation of proliferative and apoptotic fractions in FCC lymphomas may help to define groups of patients who would benefit from aggressive, high dose therapy protocols and patients to whom less aggressive strategies can be applied safely. Cancer 1996;77:1180‐8.