[Expression of latent membrane protein (LMP) in large-cell anaplastic lymphomas].

PURPOSE

The presence of Epstein-Barr virus (EBV)-encoded latent membrane protein (LMP) was investigated in 40 cases of lymphoproliferative diseases which include Hodgkin's disease (HD), anaplastic large cell lymphoma (ALCL) and non-Hodgkin's lymphoma (NHL) of B and T-cell nature.

MATERIAL AND METHODS

All cases were immunophenotyped in paraffin-embedded lymph node tissues, with a complete panel of monoclonal antibodies against B-cells, T-cells, histiocytes, activation and proliferation markers and classified as: 24 anaplastic large cell lymphoma (ALCL, 8 classical type and 16 ALCL-HD related), 10 lymphocyte predominant HD (LP, 5 classical type and 5 with ALCL areas), 4 NHL (two T-Cell type and 2 T-cell rich B-cell NHL). Immunohistochemistry techniques were performed ABC-complex and phosphatase alkaline anti-phosphatase alkaline (APAAP).

RESULTS

LMP was detected in 35% (14/40) of total cases. In LP group one third of cases were LMP+. In ALCL-HD related cases 44% were LMP+ versus 13% in ALCL group. All LMP cases were CD30+ except one NHL-T and a T-cell rich B-cell NHL. The predominant immunophenotype was LMP+/CD20+ (57%) versus LMP+/CD20-. Most cases were of B-cell (36%) lineage. Null ALCL cases were LMP-.

CONCLUSIONS

LMP, the most oncogenic EBV protein could play a pathogenic role in lymphoproliferative processes. It is not exclusive of HD and appears in other NHL preferentially of B-cell nature, above all in ALCL cases relating the two neoplasias HD and ALCL, both CD30 positive.