Image Description
DBA.44 is a relatively specific and sensitive marker of HCL. The hairy projections of neoplastic cells in the bone marrow sections are often difficult to visualize with routine H&E stains but may be more readily seen with DBA.44 immunostain. Immunostaining with markers such as DBA.44 and CD20 on bone marrow sections may be a useful diagnostic tool in subtle cases as well as to assess the presence of minimal residual disease following therapy. Image courtesy of: Jared Block, MD, Carolinas Pathology, Charlotte, NC; Sciplicity, LLC.
About the Disease
Hairy Cell Leukemia (HCL) is a mature B-cell neoplasm that mainly involves the blood, bone marrow, and splenic red pulp. It makes up only about 2% of all leukemias and predominantly affects middle-aged men (M:F = 4:1).The clinical features are often related to cytopenias and include recurrent infections (due to neutropenia) and weakness and fatigue (due to anemia). Monocytopenia is one of most sensitive markers of HCL. Splenomegaly is seen in 80% to 90% of cases; lymphadenopathy is uncommon. A small proportion of patients show polyclonal hypergammaglobulinemia. In about one-fourth of the patients, HCL is diagnosed incidentally.The neoplastic lymphocytes have an ill-defined, ruffled cytoplasmic border with hair-like surface projections. They express B-cell associated antigens CD19, CD20, and CD22. In addition, they are positive for CD103, CD25, and CD11c.