ALK+ CD30+ lymphomas:: A distinct molecular genetic subtype of non-Hodgkin's lymphoma

Conventional methods of non-Hodgkin's lymphoma (NHL) diagnosis and classification are based principally on morphology and immunophenotype and have significant shortcomings in the diagnosis of large-cell lymphoma. Rather than being discriminatory, morphological and immunophenotypic parameters have revealed a significant heterogeneity in the large-cell lymphomas and for the most part have failed to detect distinct clinically and biologically meaningful subsets. More specific pathogenic molecular markers are clearly needed to define further and to separate specific clinicopathological entities within large-cell lymphoma for targeted therapy. As detailed in this review, the discovery of anaplastic lymphoma kinase (ALK) has permitted the definition of a distinct molecular genetic subtype of NHL within the clinically and pathologically heterogeneous group of CD30(+) lymphomas.