T(14;18)(q32;q21) involving MALT1 and IGH genes in an extranodal diffuse large B-cell lymphoma

• Published in: Human pathology 2003-11, Vol.34 (11), p.1212-1215
• Main Authors: Cook, James R, Sherer, Maureen, Craig, Fiona E, Shekhter-Levin, Sofia, Swerdlow, Steven H
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Abdomen; Aged; Biological and medical sciences; Bone marrow; Cancer; Cardiovascular disease; Caspases; Chromosome Aberrations; Chromosomes; Chromosomes, Human, Pair 14; Chromosomes, Human, Pair 18; diffuse large B-cell lymphoma; Female; Forearm - pathology; Genes; Genes, Immunoglobulin; Hematologic and hematopoietic diseases; Humans; IGH/MALT 1 translocation; In Situ Hybridization, Fluorescence; Leukemias. Malignant lymphomas. Malignant reticulosis. Myelofibrosis; Lymphoma; Lymphoma, B-Cell - genetics; Lymphoma, B-Cell, Marginal Zone - genetics; Lymphoma, Large B-Cell, Diffuse - genetics; MALT1; Medical imaging; Medical sciences; Mucosa-Associated Lymphoid Tissue Lymphoma Translocation 1 Protein; Musculoskeletal system; Neoplasm Proteins - genetics; Skin Neoplasms - genetics; Studies; Translocation, Genetic
• ISSN: 0046-8177; 1532-8392
• DOI: 10.1016/j.humpath.2003.08.007

Two translocations involving the MALT1 gene have been described in extranodal marginal zone B-cell lymphomas of MALT type. A t(11;18)(q21;q21) involving API2 and MALT1 occurs in a subset of MALT lymphomas but with only rare exception is absent in diffuse large B-cell lymphomas (DLBCL), even at MALT sites. More recently, a t(14;18)(q32;q21) involving IGH and MALT1 has been described in nongastric extranodal MALT lymphomas. This translocation is indistinguishable from the IGH- BCL2 translocation by using classical cytogenetics. We report the IGH- MALT1 translocation in a cutaneous DLBCL as shown by classical cytogenetics and molecular cytogenetic analysis. This is the first report of an IGH- MALT1 translocation in DLBCL. These findings indicate that MALT1 translocations are not restricted to indolent-appearing lymphomas, provide further evidence that API2- MALT1 and IGH- MALT1 translocations exhibit biologic differences, have implications regarding the pathogenesis of some extranodal DLBCL, and emphasize that a t(14;18)(q32;q21) cannot be assumed to reflect a BCL2 translocation.