L. Jakovic - Academia.edu (original) (raw)

Papers by L. Jakovic

Research paper thumbnail of Contents Vol. 35, 2012

Research paper thumbnail of BCL2 positive and BCL6 negative diffuse large B cell lymphoma patients benefit from R-CHOP therapy irrespective of germinal and non germinal center B cell like subtypes

Journal of B.U.ON. : official journal of the Balkan Union of Oncology

Despite major advances in the treatment of diffuse large B cell lymphoma (DLBCL), approximately o... more Despite major advances in the treatment of diffuse large B cell lymphoma (DLBCL), approximately one third of the patients progress or die, suggesting the existence of additional oncogenic events. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the prognostic value of the "Hans classifier", and BCL2 and MYC protein expression and gene alterations in DLBCL patients treated with CHOP or R-CHOP chemotherapy over a 5-year period. Furthermore, we tried to correlate these parameters with the International Prognostic Index (IPI). The immunohistochemical (IHC) expression of CD10, BCL6, MUM1 and BCL2 on paraffin-embedded formalin-fixed tumor samples from 103 centroblastic DLBCLs was analyzed. IHC expression of MYC and fluorescence in situ hybridization (FISH) for MYC and BCL2 gene alterations was performed on 67 samples using the tissue microarray (TMA) method. The Hans algorithm was not predictive of survival in both therapy groups. No significant difference in BCL2 and MYC alterations o...

Research paper thumbnail of Extramedullary plasmacytoma of the tongue base: A rare presentation of head and neck plasmacytoma

Vojnosanitetski pregled, 2013

Introduction. Special entities like solitary bone plasmocytoma (SBP) or extramedullary plasmacyto... more Introduction. Special entities like solitary bone plasmocytoma (SBP) or extramedullary plasmacytoma (EMP) can be found in a less than 5% of patients with plasma cell disorders. EMP of the tongue represents very rare localization of the head and neck plasmacytoma. Case report. We report a case of 78-years-old woman who developed EMP of the tongue base detected by the magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) of the head and neck region. Immunohistochemical profile of the tumor tissue biopsy (CD38, IgG, kappa positivity) indicated diagnosis of EMP. The diagnosis was established with additional staging which confirmed the absence of other manifestation of the disease. The patient was treated with 40 Gy of radiotherapy in 20 doses resulting in the achievement of the complete remission of the disease. This case was discussed with the reference to the literature. Conclusion. EMP of the tongue base is a very rare entity of plasma cell dyscrasias. Appropriate irradiation results in the achievement o...

Research paper thumbnail of Mediastinal lymphomas: Differential diagnosis

Vojnosanitetski pregled, 2008

Research paper thumbnail of The expression of Ki-67 and Bcl-2 in hodgkin’s lymphoma: Correlation with the international prognostic score and bulky disease

Medical Oncology, 2007

The prognosis of Hodgkin's lymphoma has been improved over last 10 yr due to identification of pr... more The prognosis of Hodgkin's lymphoma has been improved over last 10 yr due to identification of prognostic parameters. These factors may predict the clinical outcome and therefore may have influence on the selection of appropriate treatment. In a cohort of 40 patients with Hodgkin's lymphoma of nodular sclerosis subtype, treated with ABVD (doxorubicin, bleomycin, vinblastine, dacarbazine) regimen, we analyzed prognostic relevance of the expression of Ki-67 and Bcl-2 at diagnosis as well as other clinical parameters: International Prognostic Score, bulky disease, tissue eosinophilia, and high erythrocyte sedimentation rate. Significance was tested according to response rate and overall survival. Patients with a high proliferative fraction (Ki-67 > 50%) had worse overall survival compared with those with low proliferation, 56% vs 91%. There was a correlation between Ki-67 positivity and the achievement of complete remission. Cox's multivariate model revealed that Ki-67 positivity at threshold of 50% was a significant independent prognostic factor. The Bcl-2 expression in less than 50% of tumor cells was detected in 65.5% of patients, and in a majority of cases it was associated with complete remission. Patients with high IPS had more progressive disease and shorter survival. Bulky disease, tissue eosinophilia, and high erythrocyte sedimentation rate had no significant influence on complete remission and survival. However, there was a marked divergence in survival curves after 4 yr follow-up for each of these parameters. Patients with high Ki-67, IPS > 3, bulky disease, tissue eosinophilia, and high sedimentation rate are at a higher risk of treatment failure and relapse and therefore might be eligible for other aggressive therapeutic approach.

Research paper thumbnail of P079 The prognosis of AIDS-related non-Hodgkin's lymphoma: the experience of the Serbian Lymphoma Study Group (SLG)

Research paper thumbnail of P066 The combination of rituximab and HyperCVAD in treatment of Burkitt lymphoma – a single institution expirience

Research paper thumbnail of P056 International prognostic index, bulky disease, Ki67, bcl-2 and the outcome in newly diagnosed patients with diffuse large B cell lymphoma

Research paper thumbnail of P039 The clinical outcome in patients with T-cell chronic lymphocytic leukemia

Research paper thumbnail of Spinal epidural granulocytic sarcoma in non-leukemic patient

International Journal of Hematology, 2008

A previously healthy 24-year-old male presented with a 3-month history of progressive backache an... more A previously healthy 24-year-old male presented with a 3-month history of progressive backache and weakness in both legs. Magnetic resonance imaging of the spine showed a large soft tissue mass infiltrating paraspinal musculature of lumbosacral area, sacral laminas, last lumbar and all sacral vertebra, protruding into the spinal canal, and with propagation into pelvis. Baseline laboratory data were normal. Decompressive laminectomy and tumor removal were performed resulting in neurological improvement. Histological examination identified granulocytic sarcoma (GS). Bone marrow biopsy showed normal findings. The patient underwent adjuvant chemotherapy and radiotherapy, resulting in the elimination of residual lesion, followed by autologous transplant. Immediate diagnosis and adequate systematic treatment are essential to achieve optimal results in patients with isolated GS. The patient is alive and free of the disease 14 months from the diagnosis.

Research paper thumbnail of Isolated Myeloid Sarcoma of the Gastrointestinal Tract

Internal Medicine, 2010

Myeloid sarcoma (MS) is a rare disease that presents as an extramedullary tumor of myeloid cells.... more Myeloid sarcoma (MS) is a rare disease that presents as an extramedullary tumor of myeloid cells. Most patients subsequently develop acute myelogenous leukemia (AML), and their prognosis is poor. Here, we report the case of a 28-year-old woman with a primary isolated myeloid sarcoma which originated in the gastrointestinal (GI) tract. Two months after intial presentation, bone marrow tests led to a diagnosis of AML. This case is noteworthy because GI tract infiltration with leukemic cells is very rare, and it is even more rare as an occurrence preceding the development of systemic leukemia.

Research paper thumbnail of The Number of Lymphoma-associated Macrophages in Tumor Tissue Is an Independent Prognostic Factor in Patients With Follicular Lymphoma

Applied Immunohistochemistry & Molecular Morphology, 2012

The clinical course of patients with follicular lymphoma is variable from a slowly progressive di... more The clinical course of patients with follicular lymphoma is variable from a slowly progressive disease to a progressive disease with a survival time of approximately 1 year. Many prognostic models have been suggested to identify high-risk patients. Recent gene profiling analysis showed that the clinical behavior of follicular lymphoma is determined by the properties of the nonmalignant tumor microenvironment. We investigated the role of lymphoma-associated macrophages (LAMs) in tumor tissue in patients with newly diagnosed follicular lymphoma. The LAM was determined immunohistochemically in lymph node tissue sections by anti-CD68 PG-M1 and analyzed through high-power field (HPF) magnification intrafollicularly (IF) and extrafollicularly. In our study, the patients who had an IF LAM count equal to or more than 10/HPF had significantly shorter overall survival (P=0.018) and 3 years of progression-free survival (P=0.034) compared with patients with <10 LAM/HPF. Multivariate analysis indicated that IF LAM/HPF ≥ 10 and Eastern Cooperative Oncology Group performance status >1 are independent prognostic factors for a poor outcome.

Research paper thumbnail of Simultaneous Presentation of Hairy Cell Leukemia and Metastatic Signet Ring Carcinoma of the Stomach Diagnosed by Bone Marrow Biopsy

Applied Immunohistochemistry & Molecular Morphology, 2011

Hairy cell leukemia is a lymphoproliferative disorder of the B lymphoid system that is associated... more Hairy cell leukemia is a lymphoproliferative disorder of the B lymphoid system that is associated with an increased incidence of second malignancies. Most of these second neoplasma have been solid tumours and few reports of lymphoid malignancies exist. We report here a case of simultaneous presentation of hairy cell leukemia diagnosed in the spleen of a patient under therapy for follicular lymphoma who had an antecedent history of renal cell carcinoma. The hairy cell leukemia and the follicular lymphoma were studied by means of molecular techniques and they were found to contain two different clonal B cell proliferations. This suggests an independent origin of these two B cell neoplasms. As far as we know, this is the first report of the coexistence of hairy cell leukemia and follicular lymphoma.

Research paper thumbnail of Hodgkin’s lymphoma relapse in the uterine cervix 15 years after the initial cure

Medical Oncology, 2007

Uterine cervix is an uncommon site for the presentation of Hodgkin's lymphoma. We describe a 62ye... more Uterine cervix is an uncommon site for the presentation of Hodgkin's lymphoma. We describe a 62year-old woman who developed an unusual relapse of classical Hodgkin's lymphoma, a nodular sclerosis subtype, in the uterine cervix, with propagation to the vaginal wall. She relapsed 15 years after achieving a complete remission of Hodgkin's lymphoma, initially in clinical stage IVB. This late relapse of the Hodgkin's lymphoma was in the clinical stage IEB and the treatment was initiated according to ABVD regimen. After the second course, lethal outcome ensued due to progression of the renal failure, which ensued in the meantime, probably as an adverse effect of the previous therapy.

Research paper thumbnail of P039 The clinical outcome in patients with T-cell chronic lymphocytic leukemia

Research paper thumbnail of Isolated Myeloid Sarcoma of the Gastrointestinal Tract

Internal Medicine, 2010

Here, we report the case of a 28-year-old woman with a primary isolated myeloid sarcoma which ori... more Here, we report the case of a 28-year-old woman with a primary isolated myeloid sarcoma which originated in the gastrointestinal (GI) tract. Two months after intial presentation, bone marrow tests led to a diagnosis of AML. This case is noteworthy because GI tract infiltration with leukemic cells is very rare, and it is even more rare as an occurrence preceding the development of systemic leukemia.

Research paper thumbnail of P056 International prognostic index, bulky disease, Ki67, bcl-2 and the outcome in newly diagnosed patients with diffuse large B cell lymphoma

Research paper thumbnail of Extramedullary plasmacytoma of the tongue base: A rare presentation of head and neck plasmacytoma

Vojnosanitetski pregled, 2013

Special entities like solitary bone plasmocytoma (SBP) or extramedullary plasmacytoma (EMP) can b... more Special entities like solitary bone plasmocytoma (SBP) or extramedullary plasmacytoma (EMP) can be found in a less than 5% of patients with plasma cell disorders. EMP of the tongue represents very rare localization of the head and neck plasmacytoma. We report a case of 78-years-old woman who developed EMP of the tongue base detected by the magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) of the head and neck region. Immunohistochemical profile of the tumor tissue biopsy (CD38, IgG, kappa positivity) indicated diagnosis of EMP. The diagnosis was established with additional staging which confirmed the absence of other manifestation of the disease. The patient was treated with 40 Gy of radiotherapy in 20 doses resulting in the achievement of the complete remission of the disease. This case was discussed with the reference to the literature. EMP of the tongue base is a very rare entity of plasma cell dyscrasias. Appropriate irradiation results in the achievement of a long-term remission and a potential cure of the disease.

Research paper thumbnail of Prognostic Significance of Bcl-2, Tumor-Associated Macrophages, and Total Neoplastic and Inflammatory Lymph Node Involvement in Advanced Stage Classical Hodgkin’s Lymphoma

Onkologie, 2012

Although Hodgkin'... more Although Hodgkin's lymphoma (HL) is a curable cancer, current treatment strategies based on risk stratification and response modulation are not precise enough. The predictive power of biological and morphological parameters is controversial, with prognostic models not reaching wide acceptance. We analyzed the prognostic relevance of 8 parameters in 85 advanced stage classical HL patients, in order to determine whether tissue-based variables could add prognostic value to standard clinical parameters, thus contributing to better risk stratification at presentation. Univariate analysis confirmed 5 indicators of shorter overall survival (OS): Bcl-2 overexpression; increased CD68+ tumor-associated macrophages (TAM); international prognostic score (IPS) > 2; bulky disease; and total lymph node involvement (TLNI) with regard to neoplastic and inflammatory cells. Apart from TLNI, these parameters influenced lower event-free survival (EFS). Multivariate analysis identified 5 independent factors for OS: Bcl-2 overexpression; increased CD68+ TAM; TLNI; IPS > 2; and bulky disease. Increased CD68+ TAM, IPS > 2, and bulky disease affected the EFS. Utilizing the cumulative score of unfavorable prognostic factors for OS, we designed a prognostic model stratifying patients into 4 risk groups (with 0-1, 2, 3, or 4-5 factors), each with progressively reduced OS (p < 0.001). Our findings support the combination of tissue-based variables with clinical parameters at diagnosis, identifying patients who are at higher risk of poor outcome.

Research paper thumbnail of The prognostic relevance of tumor associated macrophages in advanced stage classical Hodgkin lymphoma

Leukemia & Lymphoma, 2011

Although the treatment of Hodgkin lymphoma (HL) has been improved, distinguishing reliable progno... more Although the treatment of Hodgkin lymphoma (HL) has been improved, distinguishing reliable prognostic biomarkers could better stratify patients for more effective treatment. We analyzed the prognostic relevance of CD68+ tumor-associated macrophages (TAMs) by immunohistochemical analysis at diagnosis and standard clinical parameters in 52 ABVD (doxorubicin, bleomycin, vinblastine, dacarbazine)-treated patients with advanced stage classical HL (cHL). Patients with >25% CD68+ TAMs compared to those with ≤25% had worse 5-year overall survival (45% vs. 77%, log-rank p = 0.019) and showed a trend toward shorter 5-year event-free survival (51% vs. 71%, log-rank p = 0.19). Additionally, no significant correlation with selected clinical features was found. Significantly shorter 5-year overall survival was associated with International Prognostic Score (IPS) >2, bulky disease, elevated erythrocyte sedimentation rate (log-rank test, p = 0.003, p = 0.049, p = 0.007, respectively). In multivariate analysis, increased CD68+TAMs, IPS >2, and bulky disease were identified as independent prognostic factors for overall survival (Cox multivariate model, p = 0.006, p = 0.007, p = 0.013, respectively). Tumor-associated macrophages represent a potential prognostic biomarker which could contribute to better risk stratification of patients with cHL.

Research paper thumbnail of Contents Vol. 35, 2012

Research paper thumbnail of BCL2 positive and BCL6 negative diffuse large B cell lymphoma patients benefit from R-CHOP therapy irrespective of germinal and non germinal center B cell like subtypes

Journal of B.U.ON. : official journal of the Balkan Union of Oncology

Despite major advances in the treatment of diffuse large B cell lymphoma (DLBCL), approximately o... more Despite major advances in the treatment of diffuse large B cell lymphoma (DLBCL), approximately one third of the patients progress or die, suggesting the existence of additional oncogenic events. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the prognostic value of the "Hans classifier", and BCL2 and MYC protein expression and gene alterations in DLBCL patients treated with CHOP or R-CHOP chemotherapy over a 5-year period. Furthermore, we tried to correlate these parameters with the International Prognostic Index (IPI). The immunohistochemical (IHC) expression of CD10, BCL6, MUM1 and BCL2 on paraffin-embedded formalin-fixed tumor samples from 103 centroblastic DLBCLs was analyzed. IHC expression of MYC and fluorescence in situ hybridization (FISH) for MYC and BCL2 gene alterations was performed on 67 samples using the tissue microarray (TMA) method. The Hans algorithm was not predictive of survival in both therapy groups. No significant difference in BCL2 and MYC alterations o...

Research paper thumbnail of Extramedullary plasmacytoma of the tongue base: A rare presentation of head and neck plasmacytoma

Vojnosanitetski pregled, 2013

Introduction. Special entities like solitary bone plasmocytoma (SBP) or extramedullary plasmacyto... more Introduction. Special entities like solitary bone plasmocytoma (SBP) or extramedullary plasmacytoma (EMP) can be found in a less than 5% of patients with plasma cell disorders. EMP of the tongue represents very rare localization of the head and neck plasmacytoma. Case report. We report a case of 78-years-old woman who developed EMP of the tongue base detected by the magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) of the head and neck region. Immunohistochemical profile of the tumor tissue biopsy (CD38, IgG, kappa positivity) indicated diagnosis of EMP. The diagnosis was established with additional staging which confirmed the absence of other manifestation of the disease. The patient was treated with 40 Gy of radiotherapy in 20 doses resulting in the achievement of the complete remission of the disease. This case was discussed with the reference to the literature. Conclusion. EMP of the tongue base is a very rare entity of plasma cell dyscrasias. Appropriate irradiation results in the achievement o...

Research paper thumbnail of Mediastinal lymphomas: Differential diagnosis

Vojnosanitetski pregled, 2008

Research paper thumbnail of The expression of Ki-67 and Bcl-2 in hodgkin’s lymphoma: Correlation with the international prognostic score and bulky disease

Medical Oncology, 2007

The prognosis of Hodgkin's lymphoma has been improved over last 10 yr due to identification of pr... more The prognosis of Hodgkin's lymphoma has been improved over last 10 yr due to identification of prognostic parameters. These factors may predict the clinical outcome and therefore may have influence on the selection of appropriate treatment. In a cohort of 40 patients with Hodgkin's lymphoma of nodular sclerosis subtype, treated with ABVD (doxorubicin, bleomycin, vinblastine, dacarbazine) regimen, we analyzed prognostic relevance of the expression of Ki-67 and Bcl-2 at diagnosis as well as other clinical parameters: International Prognostic Score, bulky disease, tissue eosinophilia, and high erythrocyte sedimentation rate. Significance was tested according to response rate and overall survival. Patients with a high proliferative fraction (Ki-67 > 50%) had worse overall survival compared with those with low proliferation, 56% vs 91%. There was a correlation between Ki-67 positivity and the achievement of complete remission. Cox's multivariate model revealed that Ki-67 positivity at threshold of 50% was a significant independent prognostic factor. The Bcl-2 expression in less than 50% of tumor cells was detected in 65.5% of patients, and in a majority of cases it was associated with complete remission. Patients with high IPS had more progressive disease and shorter survival. Bulky disease, tissue eosinophilia, and high erythrocyte sedimentation rate had no significant influence on complete remission and survival. However, there was a marked divergence in survival curves after 4 yr follow-up for each of these parameters. Patients with high Ki-67, IPS > 3, bulky disease, tissue eosinophilia, and high sedimentation rate are at a higher risk of treatment failure and relapse and therefore might be eligible for other aggressive therapeutic approach.

Research paper thumbnail of P079 The prognosis of AIDS-related non-Hodgkin's lymphoma: the experience of the Serbian Lymphoma Study Group (SLG)

Research paper thumbnail of P066 The combination of rituximab and HyperCVAD in treatment of Burkitt lymphoma – a single institution expirience

Research paper thumbnail of P056 International prognostic index, bulky disease, Ki67, bcl-2 and the outcome in newly diagnosed patients with diffuse large B cell lymphoma

Research paper thumbnail of P039 The clinical outcome in patients with T-cell chronic lymphocytic leukemia

Research paper thumbnail of Spinal epidural granulocytic sarcoma in non-leukemic patient

International Journal of Hematology, 2008

A previously healthy 24-year-old male presented with a 3-month history of progressive backache an... more A previously healthy 24-year-old male presented with a 3-month history of progressive backache and weakness in both legs. Magnetic resonance imaging of the spine showed a large soft tissue mass infiltrating paraspinal musculature of lumbosacral area, sacral laminas, last lumbar and all sacral vertebra, protruding into the spinal canal, and with propagation into pelvis. Baseline laboratory data were normal. Decompressive laminectomy and tumor removal were performed resulting in neurological improvement. Histological examination identified granulocytic sarcoma (GS). Bone marrow biopsy showed normal findings. The patient underwent adjuvant chemotherapy and radiotherapy, resulting in the elimination of residual lesion, followed by autologous transplant. Immediate diagnosis and adequate systematic treatment are essential to achieve optimal results in patients with isolated GS. The patient is alive and free of the disease 14 months from the diagnosis.

Research paper thumbnail of Isolated Myeloid Sarcoma of the Gastrointestinal Tract

Internal Medicine, 2010

Myeloid sarcoma (MS) is a rare disease that presents as an extramedullary tumor of myeloid cells.... more Myeloid sarcoma (MS) is a rare disease that presents as an extramedullary tumor of myeloid cells. Most patients subsequently develop acute myelogenous leukemia (AML), and their prognosis is poor. Here, we report the case of a 28-year-old woman with a primary isolated myeloid sarcoma which originated in the gastrointestinal (GI) tract. Two months after intial presentation, bone marrow tests led to a diagnosis of AML. This case is noteworthy because GI tract infiltration with leukemic cells is very rare, and it is even more rare as an occurrence preceding the development of systemic leukemia.

Research paper thumbnail of The Number of Lymphoma-associated Macrophages in Tumor Tissue Is an Independent Prognostic Factor in Patients With Follicular Lymphoma

Applied Immunohistochemistry & Molecular Morphology, 2012

The clinical course of patients with follicular lymphoma is variable from a slowly progressive di... more The clinical course of patients with follicular lymphoma is variable from a slowly progressive disease to a progressive disease with a survival time of approximately 1 year. Many prognostic models have been suggested to identify high-risk patients. Recent gene profiling analysis showed that the clinical behavior of follicular lymphoma is determined by the properties of the nonmalignant tumor microenvironment. We investigated the role of lymphoma-associated macrophages (LAMs) in tumor tissue in patients with newly diagnosed follicular lymphoma. The LAM was determined immunohistochemically in lymph node tissue sections by anti-CD68 PG-M1 and analyzed through high-power field (HPF) magnification intrafollicularly (IF) and extrafollicularly. In our study, the patients who had an IF LAM count equal to or more than 10/HPF had significantly shorter overall survival (P=0.018) and 3 years of progression-free survival (P=0.034) compared with patients with <10 LAM/HPF. Multivariate analysis indicated that IF LAM/HPF ≥ 10 and Eastern Cooperative Oncology Group performance status >1 are independent prognostic factors for a poor outcome.

Research paper thumbnail of Simultaneous Presentation of Hairy Cell Leukemia and Metastatic Signet Ring Carcinoma of the Stomach Diagnosed by Bone Marrow Biopsy

Applied Immunohistochemistry & Molecular Morphology, 2011

Hairy cell leukemia is a lymphoproliferative disorder of the B lymphoid system that is associated... more Hairy cell leukemia is a lymphoproliferative disorder of the B lymphoid system that is associated with an increased incidence of second malignancies. Most of these second neoplasma have been solid tumours and few reports of lymphoid malignancies exist. We report here a case of simultaneous presentation of hairy cell leukemia diagnosed in the spleen of a patient under therapy for follicular lymphoma who had an antecedent history of renal cell carcinoma. The hairy cell leukemia and the follicular lymphoma were studied by means of molecular techniques and they were found to contain two different clonal B cell proliferations. This suggests an independent origin of these two B cell neoplasms. As far as we know, this is the first report of the coexistence of hairy cell leukemia and follicular lymphoma.

Research paper thumbnail of Hodgkin’s lymphoma relapse in the uterine cervix 15 years after the initial cure

Medical Oncology, 2007

Uterine cervix is an uncommon site for the presentation of Hodgkin's lymphoma. We describe a 62ye... more Uterine cervix is an uncommon site for the presentation of Hodgkin's lymphoma. We describe a 62year-old woman who developed an unusual relapse of classical Hodgkin's lymphoma, a nodular sclerosis subtype, in the uterine cervix, with propagation to the vaginal wall. She relapsed 15 years after achieving a complete remission of Hodgkin's lymphoma, initially in clinical stage IVB. This late relapse of the Hodgkin's lymphoma was in the clinical stage IEB and the treatment was initiated according to ABVD regimen. After the second course, lethal outcome ensued due to progression of the renal failure, which ensued in the meantime, probably as an adverse effect of the previous therapy.

Research paper thumbnail of P039 The clinical outcome in patients with T-cell chronic lymphocytic leukemia

Research paper thumbnail of Isolated Myeloid Sarcoma of the Gastrointestinal Tract

Internal Medicine, 2010

Here, we report the case of a 28-year-old woman with a primary isolated myeloid sarcoma which ori... more Here, we report the case of a 28-year-old woman with a primary isolated myeloid sarcoma which originated in the gastrointestinal (GI) tract. Two months after intial presentation, bone marrow tests led to a diagnosis of AML. This case is noteworthy because GI tract infiltration with leukemic cells is very rare, and it is even more rare as an occurrence preceding the development of systemic leukemia.

Research paper thumbnail of P056 International prognostic index, bulky disease, Ki67, bcl-2 and the outcome in newly diagnosed patients with diffuse large B cell lymphoma

Research paper thumbnail of Extramedullary plasmacytoma of the tongue base: A rare presentation of head and neck plasmacytoma

Vojnosanitetski pregled, 2013

Special entities like solitary bone plasmocytoma (SBP) or extramedullary plasmacytoma (EMP) can b... more Special entities like solitary bone plasmocytoma (SBP) or extramedullary plasmacytoma (EMP) can be found in a less than 5% of patients with plasma cell disorders. EMP of the tongue represents very rare localization of the head and neck plasmacytoma. We report a case of 78-years-old woman who developed EMP of the tongue base detected by the magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) of the head and neck region. Immunohistochemical profile of the tumor tissue biopsy (CD38, IgG, kappa positivity) indicated diagnosis of EMP. The diagnosis was established with additional staging which confirmed the absence of other manifestation of the disease. The patient was treated with 40 Gy of radiotherapy in 20 doses resulting in the achievement of the complete remission of the disease. This case was discussed with the reference to the literature. EMP of the tongue base is a very rare entity of plasma cell dyscrasias. Appropriate irradiation results in the achievement of a long-term remission and a potential cure of the disease.

Research paper thumbnail of Prognostic Significance of Bcl-2, Tumor-Associated Macrophages, and Total Neoplastic and Inflammatory Lymph Node Involvement in Advanced Stage Classical Hodgkin’s Lymphoma

Onkologie, 2012

Although Hodgkin'... more Although Hodgkin's lymphoma (HL) is a curable cancer, current treatment strategies based on risk stratification and response modulation are not precise enough. The predictive power of biological and morphological parameters is controversial, with prognostic models not reaching wide acceptance. We analyzed the prognostic relevance of 8 parameters in 85 advanced stage classical HL patients, in order to determine whether tissue-based variables could add prognostic value to standard clinical parameters, thus contributing to better risk stratification at presentation. Univariate analysis confirmed 5 indicators of shorter overall survival (OS): Bcl-2 overexpression; increased CD68+ tumor-associated macrophages (TAM); international prognostic score (IPS) > 2; bulky disease; and total lymph node involvement (TLNI) with regard to neoplastic and inflammatory cells. Apart from TLNI, these parameters influenced lower event-free survival (EFS). Multivariate analysis identified 5 independent factors for OS: Bcl-2 overexpression; increased CD68+ TAM; TLNI; IPS > 2; and bulky disease. Increased CD68+ TAM, IPS > 2, and bulky disease affected the EFS. Utilizing the cumulative score of unfavorable prognostic factors for OS, we designed a prognostic model stratifying patients into 4 risk groups (with 0-1, 2, 3, or 4-5 factors), each with progressively reduced OS (p < 0.001). Our findings support the combination of tissue-based variables with clinical parameters at diagnosis, identifying patients who are at higher risk of poor outcome.

Research paper thumbnail of The prognostic relevance of tumor associated macrophages in advanced stage classical Hodgkin lymphoma

Leukemia & Lymphoma, 2011

Although the treatment of Hodgkin lymphoma (HL) has been improved, distinguishing reliable progno... more Although the treatment of Hodgkin lymphoma (HL) has been improved, distinguishing reliable prognostic biomarkers could better stratify patients for more effective treatment. We analyzed the prognostic relevance of CD68+ tumor-associated macrophages (TAMs) by immunohistochemical analysis at diagnosis and standard clinical parameters in 52 ABVD (doxorubicin, bleomycin, vinblastine, dacarbazine)-treated patients with advanced stage classical HL (cHL). Patients with >25% CD68+ TAMs compared to those with ≤25% had worse 5-year overall survival (45% vs. 77%, log-rank p = 0.019) and showed a trend toward shorter 5-year event-free survival (51% vs. 71%, log-rank p = 0.19). Additionally, no significant correlation with selected clinical features was found. Significantly shorter 5-year overall survival was associated with International Prognostic Score (IPS) >2, bulky disease, elevated erythrocyte sedimentation rate (log-rank test, p = 0.003, p = 0.049, p = 0.007, respectively). In multivariate analysis, increased CD68+TAMs, IPS >2, and bulky disease were identified as independent prognostic factors for overall survival (Cox multivariate model, p = 0.006, p = 0.007, p = 0.013, respectively). Tumor-associated macrophages represent a potential prognostic biomarker which could contribute to better risk stratification of patients with cHL.