The Distinction between Burkitt Lymphoma and Diffuse Large B-Cell Lymphoma with c-myc Rearrangement

Abstract

To compare immunophenotypic and molecular features between Burkitt lymphoma (BL) and diffuse large B-cell lymphoma (DLBCL) with c-myc rearrangements (c-myc R DLBCL), we analyzed 18 cases of B-cell non-Hodgkin's lymphoma with c-myc R that were confirmed by chromosomal and/or Southern blotting analyses. The cases were histologically classified into 10 BLs and five DLBCLs. The remaining three cases could not be classified because of suboptimal quality of the surgical materials. BLs were from five adults and five children, whereas all DLBCLs were from adults. BLs were positive for CD20 (10/10 cases examined), CD10 (9/ 10), Bcl-2 (1/9), and Bcl-6 (10/10), whereas they were negative for CD3 (

Burkitt Lymphoma in Adults

“…Burkitt lymphoma cells also show immunologic similarity to germinal center cells of B cell follicles rather than activated B cells, [2][3][4] being positive for Bcl-6, CD10, Tcl1, and CD38, and negative for Mum-1, CD44, CD138, and Bcl-2. However, germinal center (GC) markers are not specific for Burkitt lymphoma, since a significant proportion of diffuse large cell B cell lymphomas (DLBCL) also have this GC signature.…”

“…The immunophenotypic features of Burkitt lymphoma, together with the finding that they have undergone immunoglobulin variable region hypermutation and harbor chromosomal translocations mediated through the immunoglobulin switch region, effectively rules out ALL. 4 …”

Clinical features and prognosis of de novo diffuse large B-cell lymphoma with t(14;18) and 8q24/c-MYC translocations

“…However, BL and DLBCL can have overlapping morphologic and immunophenotypic features, and both can have the 8q24/c-Myc translocation. 18,19 Using transcriptional and genomic profiling analysis, two reports highlighted the molecular differences that distinguish BL, atypical BL and DLBCL. 20,21 In the study by Hummel et al, 20 0% of the cases of molecular BL with IG-MYC had concurrent IGH-BCL2 fusion and BCL6 translocations.…”

Translocations involving 8q24 in Burkitt lymphoma and other malignant lymphomas: a historical review of cytogenetics in the light of todays knowledge

“…[16][17][18] As this distinction may be difficult using the current diagnostic tools, 19 several groups have focused on new parameters. [19][20][21][22][23][24] Recently, two comprehensive gene-expression studies on the subject have been published, showing some differences in outcome. In both studies, BL could be distinguished from other aggressive lymphomas by a distinctive gene expression pattern, that is, the combination of expression levels of multiple genes being able to predict a diagnosis of BL (predictor or index).…”