CD163 and c-Met expression and serum free light chain in advanced classical Hodgkin’s lymphoma: correlation with different clinicopathological parameters

Background: Advances in the understanding of classical Hodgkin’s lymphoma (cHL) biology and immunology show that infiltrating immune cells and cytokines play different roles in relation to clinical outcomes. High levels of expression of the monocyte/macrophage lineage antigen CD163 were suggested to exert protumor effects. Lymphoid malignancies were found to express c-Met with a possible role in the pathogenesis of these diseases. Lymphoid malignancies often have a polyclonal B-cell infiltrate that can secrete immunoglobulins. This study aimed to evaluate the expressions of CD163 and c-Met and serum free light chain (sFLC) in relation to the clinicopathological features in patients with advanced cHL. Materials and methods: Thirty-four patients with cHL were enrolled. CD163 and c-Met expressions were assessed immunohistochemically on lymph node biopsy sections together with a pretreatment estimation of sFLC using Enzyme Linked Immunosorbent Assay (ELISA). Results: The median age of the patients was 30 years, with a 1 : 1 male to female ratio. High CD163 expression correlated with increased age, B symptoms, International Prognostic Score of at least 3, mixed cellularity subtype, and low response to treatment. Also, high c-Met expression was correlated with increased age at diagnosis, leukocytosis, B symptoms, and lower complete remission rates. Elevated sFLC correlated with increased age at diagnosis, lymphopenia, International Prognostic Score of at least 3, B symptoms, and lower complete remission rates.Conclusion: In cHL, high expression of CD163 and c-Met and elevated sFLC correlates with adverse outcome.