Immunohistological Diagnosis of Primary Brain Lymphoma Using Monoclonal Antibodies: Confirmation of B—Cell Origin

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Abstract
The antigenic characteristics of 20 primary cerebral lymphomas have been defined by their reactivity with a panel of monoclonal antibodies recognizing differentiation antigens of lymphocytes and other cell types. In 7 out of 20 cases (35%), immunohistological results were diagnostically crucial and this approach appeared almost to double the detection rate of brain lymphomas over a 10-year period. All 20 tumours were confirmed as B-cell neoplasms by the use of a monoclonal antibody (B-1) specific for B-lymphocytes, rather than by the demonstration of immunoglobulin production. Further immunophenotyping with antibody FMC7 indicated that the neoplastic B-cells had been ''arrested'' at a relatively mature stage of differentiation. The importance of monoclonal antibody markers in the accurate diagnosis and characterization of primary cerebral lymphomas has now been established.