Dendritic cell neoplasms: An overview

Abstract

Dendritic cell neoplasms are rare tumors that are being recognized with increasing frequency. They were previously classified as lymphomas, sarcomas, or histiocytic neoplasms. The World Health Organization (WHO) classifies dendritic cell neoplasms into five groups: Langerhans' cell histiocytosis, Langerhans' cell sarcoma, Interdigitating dendritic cell sarcoma/tumor, Follicular dendritic cell sarcoma/tumor, and Dendritic cell sarcoma, not specified otherwise (Jaffe, World Health Organization classification of tumors 2001; 273–289). Recently, Pileri et al. provided a comprehensive immunohistochemical classification of histiocytic and dendritic cell tumors (Pileri et al., Histopathology 2002;59:161–167). In this article, a concise overview regarding the pathological, clinical, and therapeutic aspects of follicular dendritic, interdigitating dendritic, and Langerhans' cell tumors is presented. Am. J. Hematol. 82:924–928, 2007. © 2007 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.

Braf mutation in interdigitating dendritic cell sarcoma: a case report and review of the literature

“…Limited response, short duration of clinical benefit and a 2-year overall survival rate of about 30% have been reported. 5,6,33 In 3 patients high-dose chemotherapy and autologous bone marrow transplantation have been tried without any benefit, 34-36 whereas a case report has described one complete radiological response after a chemotherapy regimen for Hodgkin lymphoma (ABVD) in metastatic disease. 37 Ultimately, the most used chemotherapy combinations contain alkylating agents and anthracyclines; in this context chemotherapy combinations indicated for sarcomas such as epirubicin and ifosfamide thus appear as a reasonable option.…”

“…For non-resectable relapses and metastatic disease, chemotherapy is currently administered and some retrospective series have been published including different chemotherapy combinations commonly used for the treatment of lymphomas and sarcomas. 5,6 B-RAF V600E mutation has been detected in several human tumors 7 and it results in the activation of MAPkinase pathway independently of RAS activation. Vemurafenib, a small molecule inhibiting B-RAF, demonstrated efficacy in metastatic melanoma carrying V600E mutations.…”

Follicular dendritic cells: origin, function, and different disease-associated patterns

“…Within the lymph nodes, there are at least 4 types of dendritic cells that exist, which provide structural and functional stability for the nodal microenvironment [1]. The four cell types differ in their location, histology, ultrastructure, and function and they include: follicular dendritic cells (FDCs), interdigitating reticular cells, Langerhans cells, and fibroblastic/histiocytic cells [1].…”

“…Within the lymph nodes, there are at least 4 types of dendritic cells that exist, which provide structural and functional stability for the nodal microenvironment [1]. The four cell types differ in their location, histology, ultrastructure, and function and they include: follicular dendritic cells (FDCs), interdigitating reticular cells, Langerhans cells, and fibroblastic/histiocytic cells [1]. A fifth type of dendritic cell named indeterminate cells (a presumed precursor of Langerhans cells) has been hypothesized to also migrate to the paracortical area of the lymph node, especially in the context of paracortical hyperplasia [2].…”

Paraneoplastic pemphigus associated with dendritic cell neoplasm and Castleman’s disease: report of a new case and review of the literature

“…The World Health Organization recommends classifying them into five groups: Langerhans' cell histiocytosis, Langerhans' cell sarcoma, interdigitating dendritic cell sarcoma/tumor, follicular dendritic cell sarcoma/tumor, and dendritic cell sarcoma, not otherwise specified [4]. Follicular dendritic cell sarcoma generally presents as an asymptomatic, slow growing well circumscribed mass, with a favorable prognosis; but in some cases it can locally invade tissues and even metastasize, most commonly to the liver and lungs, and constitutional symptoms may then be present.…”