7
Views
0
CrossRef citations to date
0
Altmetric
Research Article

Common ALK gene rearrangement in Asian CD30+ anaplastic large cell lymphoma: an immunohistochemical and fluorescence in situ hybridisation (FISH) study on paraffin-embedded tissue

, &
Pages 436-443 | Published online: 06 Jul 2009
 

Abstract

Aims: The most common recurrent genetic aberration in anaplastic large cell lymphoma (ALCL) is translocation involving the ALK gene that results in ectopic expression of ALK protein in lymphoid tissue. This study aims to investigate the frequency of ALK gene rearrangement in a series of Asian ALCL. Methods:ALK gene rearrangement was detected by immunostaining of ALK protein and fluorescence in situ hybridisation (FISH) targeting at the 2p23 region. Results: The expression of ALK protein was detected in 24/34 (71%) of the cases, and it was significantly higher in childhood cases (100%) when compared to adult cases (47%). The analyses by FISH were consistent with the results from immunostaining of ALK protein, but the analyses were only successful in 15/34 (44%) cases. FISH analyses detected extra copies of ALK gene in three cases, including one case that expressed ALK protein and showed 2p23 rearrangement. Conclusions: The current series revealed a high frequency of ALK gene rearrangement, especially in the children. Immunostaining of ALK protein is a reliable indication of ALK gene rearrangement, and is superior to FISH. However, FISH analysis is useful in detecting other genetic aberrations that are not related to ALK gene rearrangement.

Reprints and Corporate Permissions

Please note: Selecting permissions does not provide access to the full text of the article, please see our help page How do I view content?

To request a reprint or corporate permissions for this article, please click on the relevant link below:

Academic Permissions

Please note: Selecting permissions does not provide access to the full text of the article, please see our help page How do I view content?

Obtain permissions instantly via Rightslink by clicking on the button below:

If you are unable to obtain permissions via Rightslink, please complete and submit this Permissions form. For more information, please visit our Permissions help page.