Hodgkin-like anaplastic large cell lymphoma (previously designated in the REAL classification) has same immunophenotypic features to classical Hodgkin lymphoma.

In the WHO classification, the majority of Hodgkin-like ALCL cases as defined by the REAL classification are considered to be CHL. However, establishing a histological diagnosis for the gray zone between CHL and ALCL is often confusing. In this study, we re-evaluated such cases by performing immunohistochemistry with antibodies against PAX-5/BSAP, Oct.2, and BOB.1/OBF.1. Expression of PAX-5/BSAP was observed in 88% (76/87) of CHL specimens and none (0/11) of ALK-positive ALCL specimens. Among specimens of Hodgkin-like ALCL and ALK-negative ALCL, expression of PAX-5/BSAP was observed in 77% (20/26) and 18% (3/17), respectively. Most of the PAX-5/BSAP-positive specimens were negative for Oct.2 and/or BOB.1/OBF.1 except for four CHL specimens. Our results may support the WHO classification in which most cases of Hodgkin-like ALCL are classified as CHL. However, the patients with Hodgkin-like ALCL with CHL-immunophenotype (PAX-5/BSAP-positive and negative for Oct.2 and/or BOB.1) did not have a favorable outcome, with a 5-year OS rate of 58%.