What are the cell markers for Burkitt leukemia (Burkitt lymphoma/leukemia)?

From the Guidelines

Burkitt leukemia cells are characterized by the expression of CD19, CD20, CD22, and CD10 markers, as well as surface immunoglobulin M (IgM), with a high proliferation rate and specific genetic translocations involving the MYC gene. The diagnosis of Burkitt leukemia relies on the identification of these distinctive markers, which can be detected through flow cytometry and confirmed by cytogenetic analysis, such as FISH or karyotyping, to identify the characteristic translocations, including t(8;14)(q24;q32), t(2;8), or t(8;22) 1. The expression of CD20, in particular, is highly relevant, as it is present in 86%-100% of Burkitt lymphoma/leukaemia cases, making it a valuable target for antibody therapies, such as rituximab and ofatumumab 1. Additionally, CD19 and CD22 are also highly expressed in Burkitt leukemia, with CD19 expression ranging from 95% to 100% and CD22 expressed in >90% of cases, making them potential targets for therapies like blinatumomab, CAR-T, and inotuzumab ozogamicin 1.

Key markers for Burkitt leukemia include:

• CD19
• CD20
• CD22
• CD10 (CALLA)
• Surface immunoglobulin M (IgM)
• High proliferation rate, with Ki-67 positivity approaching 100%
• Specific genetic translocations involving the MYC gene, including t(8;14)(q24;q32), t(2;8), or t(8;22)

These markers are essential for distinguishing Burkitt leukemia from other aggressive B-cell malignancies and for selecting the appropriate intensive chemotherapy regimens, which are critical for improving outcomes in terms of morbidity, mortality, and quality of life.

From the Research

Cell Markers for Burkitt Leukemia

The cell markers for Burkitt leukemia (Burkitt lymphoma/leukemia) are:

• CD45 (bright) 2
• CD20 (bright) 2
• CD10 2, 3, 4
• CD19 2
• Surface immunoglobulin (SIg) 2
• Ig light chain restriction 2
• Terminal deoxynucleotidyl transferase (TdT)-negative 5, 2
• c-myc rearrangement 5, 4
• BCL6 positive and BCL2 negative 4

Immunophenotypic Characteristics

The immunophenotypic characteristics of Burkitt leukemia are distinct from other B-cell neoplasms, including:

• CD5 negativity (usually) 5
• CD43 negativity 3
• CD79b positivity 3
• CD71 positivity 3

Diagnostic Challenges

The diagnosis of Burkitt leukemia can be challenging due to overlapping features with other aggressive lymphoid malignancies, such as:

• Mantle cell lymphoma 5
• Diffuse large B-cell lymphoma (DLBCL) 3, 4
• High-grade B-cell lymphoma, not otherwise specified (HGBL, NOS) 4