Prognostic significance of CD163- and CD68-expressing macrophages in nodular sclerosis Hodgkin lymphoma

Abstract

The objective of the study was to determine the clinical and morphological criteria and prognostic significance of CD163- and CD68-expressing macrophages in formalin-fixed paraffin-embedded (FFPE) lymph node samples of nodular sclerosis Hodgkin lymphoma.Materials and methods. We have studied clinical and laboratory characteristics and treatment results of 52 patients with newly diagnosed nodular sclerosis Hodgkin lymphoma. The treatment efficacy was assessed after 2–4 courses of chemotherapy by positron emission tomography combined with computed tomography scan (PET-CT) according to the Deauville scale.Results. In FFPE lymph node samples, differences in the localization and relative number of CD163-positive macrophages in patients of both study groups were determined. Morphometric counting of CD68-positive cells did not reveal statistically significant intergroup differences. The threshold of CD163-positive cells has been established. The relationship between the CD68 expression level and the response to frontline therapy was not revealed. The ratio of tumorassociated macrophages in each patient was assessed by the CD163/CD68 index. The threshold of the index was determined, which allows predicting the course of nodular sclerosis Hodgkin lymphoma.Conclusion. The following parameters could be used as additional morphological criteria for predicting the response to frontline therapy in patients with nodular sclerosis Hodgkin lymphoma: tissue distribution pattern and quantitative calculation of macrophage-histiocytic microenvironment subpopulation composition. The results could be used to risk group stratification of patients with nodular sclerosis Hodgkin lymphoma in order to predict the response to initial phase of therapy, as well as to determine personalized treatment approaches.