Development of an RNA In Situ Hybridization Method for the Detection of CXCL13 mRNA in AILT and Other Lymphomas - Presented at : USCAP 2019

Angioimmunoblastic T-cell lymphoma (AITL) is a subtype of peripheral T cell lymphoma (PTCL) within the subcategory of nodal T cell lymphomas with T follicular helper (TFH) phenotype. The differential diagnosis of AITL is complex owing to its polymorphous composition and includes benign entities as well as malignancies. CXCL13 is a chemokine that controls the organization of B cells within follicles; when expressed in T lymphocytes, the biomarker reflects a germinal center origin of the T cell (TFH phenotype). CXCL13 is one of the most useful markers in the diagnosis of AILT and, when used as part of a panel, can help differentiate AILT from other lymphomas and reactive lymphoid conditions. However, IHC antibodies for CXCL13 are not widely available, leading to challenges in the use of this biomarker for routine diagnosis.

In the current study, we have developed a highly sensitive and specific RNA in situ hybridization (RISH) approach using the RNAscope technology to examine CXCL13 mRNA expression in a panel of B and T cells lymphomas, including several confirmed cases of AITL.