Frequent expression of CD99 in anaplastic large cell lymphoma: a clinicopathologic and immunohistochemical study of 160 cases

Am J Clin Pathol. 2009 Apr;131(4):574-9. doi: 10.1309/AJCPE68HZXCGWTKK.

Abstract

Originally described as a diagnostically useful marker for Ewing sarcoma, CD99 immunoreactivity has also been documented in a variety of other tumors, including hematopoietic neoplasms. By using conventional paraffin immunoperoxidase staining and tissue microarrays, we retrospectively investigated CD99 expression in a series of 160 anaplastic large cell lymphoma (ALCL) cases. Of the 160 cases, 103 (64.4%) were positive for CD99. The distribution of CD99 positivity was similar for nodal (66/103 [64.1%]), extranodal, (21/32 [66%]), and primary cutaneous lesions (16/25 [64%]). CD99 expression was present in 96 (64.4%) of 149 of the common type, 4 (80%) of 5 of the small cell variant, and 3 (50%) of 6 of the lymphohistiocytic variant cases. CD99 expression was slightly more frequent in anaplastic large cell lymphoma kinase (ALK)+ cases compared with ALK- cases (43/54 [80%] vs 44/81 [54%]). With 2 exceptions, ALK+ ALCL was seen only in patients younger than 41 years. We conclude that CD99 is frequently expressed in ALCL, with a slightly increased frequency in the younger age ALK+ cases. Nodal and extranodal ALCL should be considered in the differential diagnosis when a CD99+ neoplasm is encountered.

MeSH terms

  • 12E7 Antigen
  • Adolescent
  • Adult
  • Aged
  • Aged, 80 and over
  • Anaplastic Lymphoma Kinase
  • Antigens, CD / biosynthesis*
  • Biomarkers, Tumor / analysis*
  • Cell Adhesion Molecules / biosynthesis*
  • Child
  • Child, Preschool
  • Female
  • Humans
  • Immunohistochemistry
  • Infant
  • Lymphoma, Large-Cell, Anaplastic / metabolism*
  • Male
  • Middle Aged
  • Protein-Tyrosine Kinases / metabolism
  • Receptor Protein-Tyrosine Kinases
  • Tissue Array Analysis

Substances

  • 12E7 Antigen
  • Antigens, CD
  • Biomarkers, Tumor
  • CD99 protein, human
  • Cell Adhesion Molecules
  • ALK protein, human
  • Anaplastic Lymphoma Kinase
  • Protein-Tyrosine Kinases
  • Receptor Protein-Tyrosine Kinases