Although the treatment of Hodgkin lymphoma (HL) has been improved, distinguishing reliable prognostic biomarkers could better stratify patients for more effective treatment. We analyzed the prognostic relevance of CD68+ tumor-associated macrophages (TAMs) by immunohistochemical analysis at diagnosis and standard clinical parameters in 52 ABVD (doxorubicin, bleomycin, vinblastine, dacarbazine)-treated patients with advanced stage classical HL (cHL). Patients with >25% CD68+ TAMs compared to those with ≤25% had worse 5-year overall survival (45% vs. 77%, log-rank p = 0.019) and showed a trend toward shorter 5-year event-free survival (51% vs. 71%, log-rank p = 0.19). Additionally, no significant correlation with selected clinical features was found. Significantly shorter 5-year overall survival was associated with International Prognostic Score (IPS) >2, bulky disease, elevated erythrocyte sedimentation rate (log-rank test, p = 0.003, p = 0.049, p = 0.007, respectively). In multivariate analysis, increased CD68+TAMs, IPS >2, and bulky disease were identified as independent prognostic factors for overall survival (Cox multivariate model, p = 0.006, p = 0.007, p = 0.013, respectively). Tumor-associated macrophages represent a potential prognostic biomarker which could contribute to better risk stratification of patients with cHL.

We studied the prognostic significance of the absolute lymphocyte/monocyte count ratio (ALC/AMC), its contribution to the prognostic value of the International Prognostic Score (IPS), and evaluated if ALC/AMC could serve as a proxy for the frequency of CD68 + tumor-associated macrophages (TAMs) in 101 patients with advanced Hodgkin lymphoma (HL). The receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve identified best cut-off values of 2.0 for ALC/AMC and 25% for CD68 + TAM. Patients with ALC/AMC < 2, IPS > 2 and > 25% CD68 + TAM had an inferior overall survival (OS) and event-free survival (EFS). Spearman’s test also uncovered a significant correlation between the ALC/AMC and TAM. Multivariate analysis identified ALC/AMC < 2, IPS > 2 and > 25% CD68 + TAM as poor prognostic factors of OS and EFS. After evaluating ALC/AMC and IPS, we stratified patients into three progressively-worse-outcome groups (low-risk: 0 risk factors; intermediate: 1 risk factor; high: 2 risk factors). Our study encourages the combination of ALC/AMC with IPS, for refining risk prediction in advanced HL patients.

Background/Aim. Newly diagnosed patients with diffuse large B-cell lymphoma (DLBCL) tretaed with immunochemotherapy have durable remission and improved overall survival. It is important to identify high risk patients who may benefit from even more effective therapies. Methods. In a group of 50 newly diagnosed patients with DLBCL, treated with CHOP/R-CHOP (cyclophosphemide doxorubicine, vincristine, prednisone with or without rituximab) regimen, we analyzed the prognostic value of the expression of Ki67 and bcl-2 at diagnosis as well as other standard clinical parameters: International Prognostic Index (IPI), bulky disease, extranodal distribution and lactat dehydrogenase (LDH). Significance was tested according to response rate and overall survival. Results. Univariate survival analysis showed that high IPI had a statistically significant negative influence on overall and event free survival time (log rank, p < 0.01). The log rank test analysis signified that patients with a high proliferative fraction (Ki-67 > 60%) had a worse overall survival rate (OS5y) of 40% compared to those with low proliferation (Ki-67 < 60%) with OS5y of 80% (p < 0.01). There was a clear difference between bcl-2 positivity (treshold 50%) and the achievement of complete remission (66% vs 86% in patients with bcl-2 high and low levels respectively, p < 0.05). In survival analysis, patients with low bcl-2 expression had significantly higher OS5y - 68% compared to those with high bcl-2+ with OS5y 37% (p < 0.05). Multivariate analysis performed by Cox model revealed that IPI > 3, high Ki-67+, bcl-2 positivity had a significant independent prognostic value concerning overall survival (p < 0.05). Conclusion. An initial high IPI score associated with high Ki-67+ and bcl2+ could represent possible predictive factors of poor prognosis, which would help to identify a high risk subgroup of newly diagnosed DLBCL.

Introduction. Special entities like solitary bone plasmocytoma (SBP) or extramedullary plasmacytoma (EMP) can be found in a less than 5% of patients with plasma cell disorders. EMP of the tongue represents very rare localization of the head and neck plasmacytoma. Case report. We report a case of 78-years-old woman who developed EMP of the tongue base detected by the magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) of the head and neck region. Immunohistochemical profile of the tumor tissue biopsy (CD38, IgG, kappa positivity) indicated diagnosis of EMP. The diagnosis was established with additional staging which confirmed the absence of other manifestation of the disease. The patient was treated with 40 Gy of radiotherapy in 20 doses resulting in the achievement of the complete remission of the disease. This case was discussed with the reference to the literature. Conclusion. EMP of the tongue base is a very rare entity of plasma cell dyscrasias. Appropriate irradiation results in the achievement of a long-term remission and a potential cure of the disease.

Background: Although Hodgkin’s lymphoma (HL) is a curable cancer, current treatment strategies based on risk stratification and response modulation are not precise enough. The predictive power of biological and morphological parameters is controversial, with prognostic models not reaching wide acceptance. Patients and Methods: We analyzed the prognostic relevance of 8 parameters in 85 advancedstage classical HL patients, in order to determine whether tissue-based variables could add prognostic value to standard clinical parameters, thus contributing to better risk stratification at presentation. Results: Univariate analysis confirmed 5 indicators of shorter overall survival (OS): Bcl-2 overexpression; increased CD68+ tumor-associated macrophages (TAM); international prognostic score (IPS) > 2; bulky disease; and total lymph node involvement (TLNI) with regard to neoplastic and inflammatory cells. Apart from TLNI, these parameters influenced lower event-free survival (EFS). Multivariate analysis identified 5 independent factors for OS: Bcl-2 overexpression; increased CD68+ TAM; TLNI; IPS > 2; and bulky disease. Increased CD68+ TAM, IPS > 2, and bulky disease affected the EFS. Utilizing the cumulative score of unfavorable prognostic factors for OS, we designed a prognostic model stratifying patients into 4 risk groups (with 0–1, 2, 3, or 4–5 factors), each with progressively reduced OS (p < 0.001). Conclusion: Our findings support the combination of tissue-based variables with clinical parameters at diagnosis, identifying patients who are at higher risk of poor outcome.