Transformation from follicular lymphoma to high-grade B-cell lymphoma/leukemia with additional t(2;8)(p12;q24), with inverse expressions of c-MYC and BCL-2, and light-chain switch

Pathol Int. 2009 Apr;59(4):261-4. doi: 10.1111/j.1440-1827.2009.02361.x.

Abstract

Transformation from follicular lymphoma (FL) to high-grade B-cell lymphoma/leukemia (BLL) has been reported in patients with additional translocations involving the c-MYC gene. The previously reported cases were related to t(8;14) and t(8;22) but not to t(2;8). Herein is reported an FL that terminated in BLL following additional t(2;8). In accordance with previous reports, increased expression of c-MYC was observed in the present case but, interestingly, BCL-2 expression was inversely decreased after the transformation. In addition, the cell-surface immunoglobulin light-chain of lymphoma cells was initially kappa type and was then gradually replaced with the lambda type after transformation. Downregulation of BCL-2 and light-chain switch have rarely been reported in previous cases of FL transformation involving c-MYC, suggesting that additional t(2;8) translocation may play a role in these events.

Publication types

  • Case Reports

MeSH terms

  • Biomarkers, Tumor / analysis
  • Cell Transformation, Neoplastic / genetics
  • Chromosome Aberrations
  • Chromosomes, Human, Pair 2
  • Chromosomes, Human, Pair 8
  • Female
  • Flow Cytometry
  • Genes, myc / genetics
  • Humans
  • Immunoglobulin Light Chains / immunology*
  • Immunohistochemistry
  • Lymphoma, Follicular / genetics
  • Lymphoma, Follicular / pathology*
  • Middle Aged
  • Neoplasms, Second Primary / genetics
  • Neoplasms, Second Primary / pathology*
  • Precursor Cell Lymphoblastic Leukemia-Lymphoma / genetics
  • Precursor Cell Lymphoblastic Leukemia-Lymphoma / pathology*
  • Proto-Oncogene Proteins c-bcl-2 / biosynthesis*
  • Proto-Oncogene Proteins c-myc / biosynthesis*
  • Proto-Oncogene Proteins c-myc / genetics
  • Translocation, Genetic

Substances

  • Biomarkers, Tumor
  • Immunoglobulin Light Chains
  • MYC protein, human
  • Proto-Oncogene Proteins c-bcl-2
  • Proto-Oncogene Proteins c-myc