Cancers, Vol. 10, Pages 169: The Transition between Telomerase and ALT Mechanisms in Hodgkin Lymphoma and Its Predictive Value in Clinical Outcomes

Cancers, Vol. 10, Pages 169: The Transition between Telomerase and ALT Mechanisms in Hodgkin Lymphoma and Its Predictive Value in Clinical Outcomes

Cancers doi: 10.3390/cancers10060169

Authors: Radhia M'kacher Corina Cuceu Mustafa Al Jawhari Luc Morat Monika Frenzel Grace Shim Aude Lenain William M. Hempel Steffen Junker Theodore Girinsky Bruno Colicchio Alain Dieterlen Leonhard Heidingsfelder Claire Borie Noufissa Oudrhiri Annelise Bennaceur-Griscelli Olivier Moralès Sarah Renaud Zoé Van de Wyngaert Eric Jeandidier Nadira Delhem Patrice Carde

Background: We analyzed telomere maintenance mechanisms (TMMs) in lymph node samples from HL patients treated with standard therapy. The TMMs correlated with clinical outcomes of patients. Materials and Methods: Lymph node biopsies obtained from 38 HL patients and 24 patients with lymphadenitis were included in this study. Seven HL cell lines were used as in vitro models. Telomerase activity (TA) was assessed by TRAP assay and verified through hTERT immunofluorescence expression; alternative telomere lengthening (ALT) was also assessed, along with EBV status. Results: Both TA and ALT mechanisms were present in HL lymph nodes. Our findings were reproduced in HL cell lines. The highest levels of TA were expressed in CD30−/CD15− cells. Small cells were identified with ALT and TA. Hodgkin and Reed Sternberg cells contained high levels of PML bodies, but had very low hTERT expression. There was a significant correlation between overall survival (p < 10−3), event-free survival (p < 10−4), and freedom from progression (p < 10−3) and the presence of an ALT profile in lymph nodes of EBV+ patients. Conclusion: The presence of both types of TMMs in HL lymph nodes and in HL cell lines has not previously been reported. TMMs correlate with the treatment outcome of EBV+ HL patients.

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