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Utility of CD26 in flow cytometric immunophenotyping of T‐cell lymphomas in tissue and body fluid specimens
Author(s) -
Pierson Diane M.,
Jones Dan,
Muzzafar Tariq,
Kersh Marian J.,
Challagundla Pramoda,
Medeiros L. Jeffrey,
Jorgensen Jeffrey L.
Publication year - 2008
Publication title -
cytometry part b: clinical cytometry
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.646
H-Index - 61
eISSN - 1552-4957
pISSN - 1552-4949
DOI - 10.1002/cyto.b.20431
Subject(s) - mycosis fungoides , immunophenotyping , pathology , flow cytometry , t cell , population , biology , lymphoma , immunology , medicine , immune system , environmental health
Background CD26 is expressed by most CD4+ T cells in normal peripheral blood specimens. Neoplastic T cells are frequently CD26− in mycosis fungoides/Sezary syndrome involving the peripheral blood. However, CD26 expression by reactive and neoplastic T cells in solid tissues and body fluids has not been fully characterized by flow cytometry (FC). Methods Solid tissue and body fluid specimens were assayed for CD26 expression using four‐color FC immunophenotyping, by qualitative assessment of population clusters, and by quantitation with comparison with isotype controls. Benign T cells were studied in reactive tissues and in the background of other malignancies. Results Many T‐cell lymphomas were dim or negative for CD26, whereas a few were brightly positive. In the majority of T‐cell lymphomas, CD26 expression could potentially help identify aberrant population clusters. T cells in reactive tissue specimens and tumor‐infiltrating T cells were commonly dim to negative for CD26. Conclusions Both T‐cell lymphomas and reactive T cells in tissue and body fluid specimens often show low levels of CD26 expression. Therefore, quantitative methods may not reliably distinguish benign from neoplastic T cells in these specimens. However, CD26, in combination with other T‐cell markers, can be helpful for identifying aberrant population clusters in T‐cell lymphomas. © 2008 Clinical Cytometry Society