Lymphomas: Correlation between 67Ga scintigraphy and transferrin receptor expression in lymphomas

Aim: To determine the correlation between the intensity of 67Ga uptake with the expression of TfR/CD71 in lymphomatous cells. Materials and Methods: Forty one (41) with histological proven lymphomas were included. Age: 18-75. M/F: 24/17. Hodgkin disease: 11. Non Hodgkin's lymphoma: 30 (4Ki1). Gallium scintigraphy was performed at the initial staging before treatment using a dose of 9.9 mCi. Images were acquired on three peaks of 93, 184 and 296 keV. 67Ga at 48 hs and 7 days. The 67 Ga uptake index was determined in each patient by [(T-BGD)/BGD]. The expression of TfR/CD71 was performed on paraffin sections using mAb to human TfR/CD71. The evaluation was based on the percentage of positive cell as follows: Negative <10%, Low >10% and <30%, Intermediate > 30% and <80%, High >80%. Results: Positive correlation between 67Ga uptake TfR/CD71 was found in 30/41 patients (73.1%): positive 27/30, negative 3/30, but different immunostaining patterns were observed. The relationship with the histology was: Hodgkin disease 9/2 (correlation 81.81%), Non Hodgkin lymphoma (30) 21/9 (correlation 70%). Conclusion: The correlation between the expression CD/67Ga is high, 73.1% in total, relevantly in Hodgkin disease. The mechanisms that regulate the 67Ga uptake by the lymphomatous cells are partially dependent on the density of Transferrin receptor CD71