CD200 Expression in Diagnostic and Prognostic Assessment of Mature B Cell Lymphophoproliferative Neoplasms

BACKGROUND: Multiparameter flow cytometry is a useful tool for diagnostic evaluation of mature B-cell neoplasms (MBN). Recently, it has been shown that assessment of CD200 expression may improve the distinction between chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL; CD200 positive) and mantle cell lymphoma (MCL; CD200 negative), but any potential as a prognostic marker for CLL remains to be established. MATERIALS AND METHODS: This cross sectional study was conducted on sixty-seven patients newly diagnosed as having mature B-cell lymphoproliferative disorders Levels of CD 200 in lymphoma cells were assessed. RESULTS: CD200 was consistently expressed in CLL and hairy cell leukemia B cells, but not in MCL cells. Heterogeneous expression was noted in other CD5 positive Non-Hodgkin lymphomas. High CD200 expression (≥50%) was associated with a higher CD5, 19 and CD23 expression, older age, higher TLC and absolute lymphocyte count, hepatomegaly, splenomegaly and a higher Rai stage. There were no significant correlations between CD200 expression and response to treatment. CONCLUSION: CD200 could be of high value in distinguishing CLL, MCL, and atypical CLL. CD200 expression can also be of prognostic and therapeutic value in CLL cases.