OCCURRENCE OF THE T(2-5)(P23-Q35) IN NON-HODGKINS-LYMPHOMA

Primary CD30(Ki-1)-positive anaplastic large-cell lymphoma (ALCL) is c onsidered by some to be a distinct clinicopathologic entity associated with the t(2;5) (p23;q35). However, the specificity of t(2;5) for ALC L has not been carefully studied. Therefore, we performed a detailed a nalysis of all cases of ALCL with abnormal cytogenetics results in the Nebraska Lymphoma Study Group registry, as well as all other cases of non-Hodgkin's lymphoma with t(2;5) in the registry. We found the t(2; 5) in only five of 10 cases of ALCL, four of whom were young patients. However, we also found the t(2;5) in 11 other cases of nonanaplastic lymphoma, including eight children with typical peripheral T-cell lymp homas of various types. The t(2;5) was also found in three older adult s with B-cell lymphomas of various types. Thus, the t(2;5) was not spe cific for CD30(+) ALCL. However, t(2;5) may define a clinicopathologic entity in children and young adults characterized by variable morphol ogies with a T-cell or indeterminate phenotype, CD30-positivity, nodal disease with frequent extranodal involvement, advanced stage, and an excellent response to therapy, including bone marrow transplantation f or relapsed disease. The clinical relevance of the t(2;5) in older pat ients requires further study. (C) 1996 by The American Society of Hema tology.