ALK-positive large B-cell lymphoma: a clinicopathological and molecular characteristics analysis of seven cases

Abstract

Anaplastic lymphoma kinase-positive large B-cell lymphoma (ALK⁺ LBCL) is a rare and highly aggressive lymphoma with characteristic ALK rearrangements. Various fusion genes involving ALK have been demonstrated, but the influence of the ALK fusion partners on ALK protein expression and the genetic characteristics of ALK⁺ LBCL remain relatively unknown. In this study, we conducted an extensive clinicopathological and molecular analysis on seven cases of ALK⁺ LBCL to explore the correlation between ALK fusion genes and ALK protein expression, thereby enriching the genetic characteristics of this tumour. We integrated the findings from clinical, histopathological/immunophenotypic, and molecular studies, including three samples subjected to next-generation sequencing, and six cases underwent RNA-based ALK fusion gene detection. We identified five distinct types of ALK fusion genes, including CLTC, NPM1, PABPC1, SEC31A, and TFG. Notably, only the NPM1::ALK fusion showed nuclear and cytoplasmic ALK staining, and the remaining four fusion genes resulted in cytoplasmic ALK staining. Our analysis revealed that the CLTC::ALK fusion resulted in a unique cytoplasmic perinuclear Golgi zone focal granular heterogeneous staining pattern of ALK. Additionally, we identified six potentially clinically significant gene mutations, including TET2, CHD2, DTX1, KMT2D, LRP1B, and XPO1. Furthermore, in all cases, the absence of 5-hydroxymethylcytosine (5hmC) was observed. We present seven cases of ALK⁺ LBCL, discussing the correlation between fusion genes and ALK protein expression, and enhancing our understanding of the genetic attributes of this tumour. This study also shows the loss of 5hmC in nearly all seven ALK⁺ LBCL cases, independently of TET2 mutations.