Centroblastic Diffuse Large B Cell Lymphoma Displays Distinct Expression Pattern and Prognostic Role of Apoptosis Resistance Related Proteins

Abstract

Centroblastic diffuse large B cell lymphoma (DLBCL) samples were analyzed by immunohistochemistry to evaluate the expression of p53, Bcl-2, Survivin, XIAP, and Ki-67. Survivin was the only protein which expression exhibited a trend for impact in progression-free (p = .077) and overall survival (p = .054). In the Mann-Whitney test, Survivin expression correlated with a negative overall survival (p = .045). These results appeared to be intimately related to Survivin cytoplasmic localization. Moreover, the anti-apoptotic proteins Bcl-2 and Survivin were less frequent in centroblastic DLBCL. Our results indicate that centroblastic DLBCL may be a disease with characteristic biology and clinical course and, therefore, specific prognostic factors.