From the Guidelines
CD30 marker is typically negative or weakly expressed in Burkitt lymphoma. Burkitt lymphoma is characterized by a specific immunophenotype that includes positive B-cell markers (CD19, CD20, CD22, CD79a), strong expression of CD10, BCL6, and c-MYC, with a very high proliferation rate (Ki-67 nearly 100%) 1. While CD30 is an important marker in lymphoma diagnosis, it is more commonly associated with Hodgkin lymphoma and anaplastic large cell lymphoma rather than Burkitt lymphoma. The absence or weak expression of CD30 in Burkitt lymphoma helps distinguish it from other lymphomas where CD30 is strongly expressed.
This distinction is clinically important because Burkitt lymphoma requires specific intensive chemotherapy regimens like CODOX-M/IVAC or similar protocols, which differ from treatments used for CD30-positive lymphomas. In rare cases, some Burkitt lymphomas may show variable CD30 expression, but this is not a defining characteristic and would not typically alter the diagnosis if other classic features of Burkitt lymphoma are present. Recent studies on CD30-directed antibody-drug conjugates, such as brentuximab vedotin, have shown promising results in the treatment of relapsed or refractory CD30-positive lymphomas 1, but this is not directly applicable to Burkitt lymphoma due to its typical lack of CD30 expression.
Key characteristics of Burkitt lymphoma include:
- Positive B-cell markers (CD19, CD20, CD22, CD79a)
- Strong expression of CD10, BCL6, and c-MYC
- Very high proliferation rate (Ki-67 nearly 100%)
- Typically negative or weakly expressed CD30 These features are crucial for distinguishing Burkitt lymphoma from other types of lymphoma and for guiding treatment decisions. The use of CD30-directed therapies is more relevant to Hodgkin lymphoma and other CD30-positive lymphomas, as discussed in guidelines and studies on these conditions 1.
From the Research
Cd30 Marker in Burkitt Lymphoma
- The CD30 marker is a surface antigen that has been studied in various types of lymphomas, including Burkitt lymphoma 2, 3.
- CD30 expression has been found in 37.5% of diffuse large B-cell lymphomas and 46.2% of other non-diffuse large B-cell lymphomas, including Burkitt lymphoma 2.
- The CD30 ligand (CD30L) has also been studied, and its expression has been found in some Burkitt lymphoma cell lines 3.
- The interaction between CD30 and CD30L has been shown to have potent biological activity and may play a critical role in the immune response and pathogenesis of some lymphomas, including Burkitt lymphoma 3.
Clinical Implications
- The expression of CD30 in Burkitt lymphoma may have implications for treatment, as brentuximab vedotin, a CD30-targeting therapy, has shown efficacy in treating CD30-positive lymphomas 2.
- However, the use of brentuximab vedotin in Burkitt lymphoma is still being researched, and more studies are needed to determine its effectiveness in this specific type of lymphoma.
- Other treatments, such as intensive chemotherapy regimens, including CODOX-M/IVAC, have shown high efficacy in treating Burkitt lymphoma, with or without the addition of rituximab 4, 5, 6.