Prognostic and predictive evaluation of DNA content, S-phase fraction and immunophenotyping in non-Hodgkin's lymphomas in adults. A prospective study.

In non-Hodgkin's lymphoma (NHL) patients, prognostic significance of S-phase fraction (SPF) is well known, however the significance of DNA ploidy status and antigen expressions is still unclear. The purpose of the present study is to evaluate the prognostic and predictive impact of SPF, immunophenotype and DNA ploidy in prospectively analysed NHL patients. The study was performed on lymph node biopsies of 117 nodal NHL patients. The median follow-up of patients was 25 months (range 1-64 months). All histologically verified lesions were considered according to the Working Formulation and Kiel classification. SPF, immunophenotype and ploidy were determined by flow cytometry. The rate of 2-year overall survival was 56%. SPF and DNA ploidy status were found to be independent prognostic factors in low and high grade lymphomas, respectively. Patients with near-tetraploid lymphomas were characterised by unfavourable clinical outcome, whereas hypertetraploidy was a favourable prognostic indicator. Among B-cell lymphomas CD5 expression seems to be of prognostic significance.