Marginal zone lymphoma-derived interfollicular diffuse large B-cell lymphoma harboring 20q12 chromosomal deletion and missense mutation of BIRC3 gene: A case report

Joseph Hatem, April M. Schrank-Hacker, Christopher D. Watt, Jennifer J.D. Morrissette, Adam I. Rubin, Ellen J. Kim, Sunita D. Nasta, Mariusz A. Wasik, Agata M. Bogusz

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

7 Scopus citations

Abstract

Background: Diffuse large B-cell lymphoma (DLBCL) typically leads to effacement of the nodal architecture by an infiltrate of malignant cells. Rarely (<1%), DLBCL can present with an interfollicular pattern (DLBCL-IF) preserving the lymphoid follicles. It has been postulated that DLBCL-IF is derived from marginal zone B cells and may represent a large-cell transformation of marginal zone lymphoma (MZL), however no direct evidence has been provided to date. Here we describe a rare case of a diagnostically challenging DLBCL-IF involving a lymph node in a patient with a prior history of lymphadenopathy for several years and MZL involving skin. Case presentation: A 53-year old man presented to our Dermatology Clinic due to a 1-year history of generalized itching, fatigue of 2-3 month's duration, nausea and mid back rash that was biopsied. PET (positron emission tomography)/CT (computed tomography) was performed and revealed inguinal, pelvic, retroperitoneal, axillary, and cervical lymphadenopathy. The patient was referred to surgery for excisional biopsy of a right inguinal lymph node. Diagnostic H&E stained slides and ancillary studies were reviewed for the lymph node and skin specimens. B-cell clonality by PCR and sequencing studies were performed on both specimens. We demonstrate that this patient's MZL and DLBCL-IF are clonally related, strongly suggesting that transformation of MZL to DLBCL had occurred. Furthermore, we identified a novel deletion of the long arm of chromosome 20 (del(20q12)) and a missense mutation in BIRC3 (Baculoviral IAP repeat-containing protein 3) in this patient's DLBCL that are absent from his MZL, suggesting that these genetic alterations contributed to the large cell transformation. Conclusions: To our knowledge, this is the first report providing molecular evidence for a previously suspected link between MZL and DLBCL-IF. In addition, we describe for the first time del(20q12) and a missense mutation in BIRC3 in DLBCL. Our findings also raise awareness of DLBCL-IF and discuss the diagnostic pitfalls of this rare entity.

Original languageEnglish
Article number137
Pages (from-to)137
JournalDiagnostic Pathology
Volume11
Issue number1
DOIs
StatePublished - Dec 19 2016

Keywords

  • Baculoviral IAP Repeat-Containing 3 Protein
  • Biomarkers, Tumor/analysis
  • Chromosome Deletion
  • Chromosomes, Human, Pair 20/genetics
  • Flow Cytometry
  • Humans
  • Immunohistochemistry
  • In Situ Hybridization, Fluorescence
  • Inhibitor of Apoptosis Proteins/genetics
  • Lymphoma, B-Cell, Marginal Zone/genetics
  • Lymphoma, Large B-Cell, Diffuse/genetics
  • Male
  • Middle Aged
  • Mutation, Missense
  • Polymerase Chain Reaction
  • Ubiquitin-Protein Ligases/genetics

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