Adverse prognostic significance of CD20 positive Reed-Sternberg cells in classical Hodgkin's disease

Br J Haematol. 2004 Jun;125(6):701-8. doi: 10.1111/j.1365-2141.2004.04964.x.

Abstract

The prognostic significance of CD20 positive classical Hodgkin's disease (cHD) is uncertain. All cHD cases referred to the Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center (MSKCC) were retrospectively identified (5/92-11/00); the samples were immunostained, and clinical data ascertained. Cases were re-reviewed without knowledge of clinical outcome. Univariate and multivariate analyses were performed 248 patients had cHD: 28 CD20(+) (11%); 220 CD20(-). All clinical characteristics were comparable except haemoglobin level at presentation. With a median follow-up of 29.2 months, significant prognostic factors in multivariate analysis were: CD20 positivity, elevated white blood cell count (WBC) and low absolute lymphocyte count for time-to treatment failure (TTF); and for overall survival (OS), CD20 positivity, elevated WBC count, bone marrow involvement and age >/=45 years. TTF was significantly poorer for ABVD-treated patients with CD20(+) cHD as compared with CD20(-) cHD. Among 167 patients treated at MSKCC, both TTF (P < 0.0001) and OS (P = 0.017) were significantly decreased in CD20(+) patients as compared with CD20(-) cHD. CD20(+) cHD is a poor prognostic factor for TTF and OS. All cHD cases should be immunophenotyped for CD20. A large prospective trial is needed to confirm these findings.

MeSH terms

  • Adolescent
  • Adult
  • Aged
  • Antigens, CD20 / analysis*
  • Biomarkers / analysis
  • Female
  • Hodgkin Disease / immunology*
  • Humans
  • Immunophenotyping
  • Leukocyte Count
  • Lymphocyte Count
  • Male
  • Middle Aged
  • Multivariate Analysis
  • Prognosis
  • Reed-Sternberg Cells / immunology*
  • Survival Rate

Substances

  • Antigens, CD20
  • Biomarkers