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Stains & CD markers
CD30

Mario L. Marques-Piubelli, M.D.
Roberto N. Miranda, M.D.

Last author update: 15 September 2022
Last staff update: 15 September 2022

Copyright: 2002-2023, PathologyOutlines.com, Inc.

PubMed Search: CD30 pathology

Mario L. Marques-Piubelli, M.D.
Roberto N. Miranda, M.D.
Page views in 2022: 24,804
Page views in 2023 to date: 12,214
Table of Contents
Definition / general | Essential features | Terminology | Pathophysiology | Diagrams / tables | Clinical features | Interpretation | Uses by pathologists | Prognostic factors | Microscopic (histologic) images | Positive staining - normal | Positive staining - disease | Negative staining | Molecular / cytogenetics description | Sample pathology report | Additional references | Board review style question #1 | Board review style answer #1 | Board review style question #2 | Board review style answer #2
Cite this page: Marques-Piubelli ML, Miranda RN. CD30. PathologyOutlines.com website. https://www.pathologyoutlines.com/topic/cdmarkerscd30.html. Accessed June 7th, 2023.
Definition / general
Essential features
Terminology
Pathophysiology
  • CD30 gene is located at 1p36
    • Close to TNFR2 and OX40
  • Molecular weight of the protein: 120 kD
    • Mature form of CD30 protein is processed from a precursor weighing 84 kD and during transit in the Golgi complex gains weight through glycosylation
  • 3 domains:
    • Extracellular (361 amino acids)
      • Flower-like configuration
      • 2 subdomains: D1 and D2
      • Similar sequence when compared to TNFR molecules: 6 cysteine rich stretches of amino acids
      • Implications in antibody binding
      • Soluble form of CD30 (sCD30) is an 85 - 88 kD protein detected in inflammatory scenario and it is a product of the extracellular domain
    • Transmembrane (28 amino acids)
    • Intracellular (188 amino acids)
      • Contains several serine / threonine residues, which can be phosphorylated
        • Docking sites for protein binding and signaling transduction
  • Expression and function are related to the composition and functionality of the immune microenvironment (Blood Cancer J 2017;7:e603, Arch Pathol Lab Med 2022 Apr 26 [Epub ahead of print], J Mol Recognit 2003;16:28, Oncologist 2022 Aug 10 [Epub ahead of print], Blood 1995;85:1, Histopathology 2022;81:55, Clin Adv Hematol Oncol 2014;12:1)
  • First monoclonal antibody was derived from Hodgkin lymphoma cell lines and identified in 1982 (Blood Cancer J 2017;7:e603)
  • Ligand is CD30L (or TNFSF8 or CD153) (Blood Cancer J 2017;7:e603, J Mol Recognit 2003;16:28)
    • Type II glycoprotein
    • Extracellular C terminal domain is similar to TNFα, TNFβ, FasL, CD40L and CD70
    • Can be detected in activated lymphocytes, histiocytes and granulocytes
  • Stimulation of CD30 transmembrane protein leads to receptor trimerization and transduction of the signal to TNFR associated factor (TRAF) proteins (TRAF1, TRAF2 and TRAF5) (Blood Cancer J 2017;7:e603, Histopathology 2022;81:55)
    • Signaling complex may activate both MAPK / ERK1 / ERK2 and NFκB pathways
      • Direct or indirect (via JunB) activation of antiapoptosis, prosurvival or activation effects
  • Viral infection may induce activation of CD30 in both B and T cells (Arch Pathol Lab Med 2022 Apr 26 [Epub ahead of print], Clin Adv Hematol Oncol 2014;12:1)
    • Cells that carry Epstein-Barr virus (EBV), human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) and human T cell leukemia / lymphoma virus type I (HTLV1)
  • Elevated expression in autoimmune diseases (Clin Adv Hematol Oncol 2014;12:1)
    • Rheumatoid arthritis, primary progressive multiple sclerosis, localized scleroderma, systemic lupus erythematous, atopic dermatitis, asthma and allergic rhinitis
  • Role in the development of graft versus host disease (GVHD) (Clin Adv Hematol Oncol 2014;12:1)
    • Inhibition is linked to decreased incidence of GVHD
Diagrams / tables

Contributed by Mario L. Marques-Piubelli, M.D. and Roberto N. Miranda, M.D.
Activation of MAPK / ERK1 / ERK2 and NFκB pathways

Activation of MAPK / ERK1 / ERK2 and NFκB pathways

Clinical features
  • Targetable biomarker (Oncologist 2022 Aug 10 [Epub ahead of print])
    • High expression by neoplastic cells
    • Low expression by normal cells
    • Extracellular localization
  • CD30 antibody drug conjugate (ADC): brentuximab vedotin (BV) (Blood Cancer J 2017;7:e603, Oncologist 2022 Aug 10 [Epub ahead of print])
    • Composed of an IgG1 monoclonal antibody SGN 30 in combination with mono methyl auristatin E (MMAE) and a cathepsin linker
    • ADC binds to the CD30 positive cell
      • Receptor endocytosis and MMAE release
        • Leads to inhibition of tubulin formation and cell apoptosis
    • Indications of BV
      • Classic Hodgkin lymphoma (CHL) after autologous stem cell transplant or failure of at least 2 major multiagent chemotherapies
      • Systemic or primary cutaneous anaplastic large cell lymphoma or CD30 positive mycosis fungoides after failure of at least 1 multiagent chemotherapy
      • Frontline treatment of peripheral T cell lymphomas that express CD30, in combination with cyclophosphamide, doxorubicin and prednisone
      • There is no correlation between CD30 expression levels by immunohistochemistry and response to therapy
  • CD30 specific chimeric antigen receptor T (CAR T) cells (Blood Cancer J 2017;7:e603, J Clin Oncol 2020;38:3794, Sci Rep 2022;12:10488, Front Immunol 2022;13:858021)
    • 3 generations of anti-CD30 CAR T cells
    • Phase I / II studies in relapsed / refractory CHL
    • Association with anti-PD1 regimen can improve the efficacy of CD30 CAR T therapy
Interpretation
  • Typically expressed in cytoplasmic / membrane compartments (Histopathology 2022;81:55)
    • May have weak, moderate or strong intensity
    • Golgi pattern can also be found isolated or in association with cytoplasmic / membrane staining
      • Rare
    • Nuclear staining is not acceptable
    • May have a membrane enhancement in reactive mesothelial cells
Uses by pathologists
Prognostic factors
  • Expression of CD30 is associated with outcomes in lymphomas in which there is a heterogeneous expression
    • Decreased hazard of death in transformed mycosis fungoides (Am J Clin Pathol 2021;156:350)
    • Poor overall and progression free survival in extranodal NK / T cell lymphoma cases with expression of CD30 in 50% or more of the neoplastic cells (Oncol Lett 2017;13:1211, BMC Cancer 2014;14:890)
      • Expression of CD30 is correlated with presence of B symptoms and elevated serum lactate dehydrogenase
    • Better outcomes in cases of diffuse large B cell lymphoma treated with rituximab, cyclophosphamide, doxorubicin, vincristine and prednisone (R-CHOP) (Hum Pathol 2017;60:160)
Microscopic (histologic) images

Contributed by Roberto N. Miranda, M.D.
ALK+ anaplastic large cell lymphoma in lymph node   ALK+ anaplastic large cell lymphoma in lymph node

ALK+ anaplastic large cell lymphoma (ALCL) in lymph node

Primary cutaneous ALCL   Primary cutaneous ALCL

Primary cutaneous ALCL

Breast implant associated ALCL   Breast implant associated ALCL

Breast implant associated ALCL


Lymphomatoid papulosis type C   Lymphomatoid papulosis type C

Lymphomatoid papulosis type C

Peripheral T cell lymphoma, NOS, in colon   Peripheral T cell lymphoma, NOS, in colon

Peripheral T cell lymphoma, NOS, in colon

Primary mediastinal large B cell lymphoma   Primary mediastinal large B cell lymphoma

Primary mediastinal large B cell lymphoma


Mediastinal gray zone lymphoma   Mediastinal gray zone lymphoma

Mediastinal gray zone lymphoma

Nodular sclerosis classic Hodgkin lymphoma, syncytial variant   Nodular sclerosis classic Hodgkin lymphoma, syncytial variant

Nodular sclerosis classic Hodgkin lymphoma, syncytial variant

Kikuchi-Fujimoto disease   Kikuchi-Fujimoto disease

Kikuchi-Fujimoto disease


Dermatopathic lymphadenopathy   Dermatopathic lymphadenopathy

Dermatopathic lymphadenopathy

Positive staining - normal
Positive staining - disease
Negative staining
Molecular / cytogenetics description
  • Chromosomal aberrations of the short arm of chromosome 1 are described in CHL, which could be related to the CD30 expression in this entity (Blood 1995;85:1)
Sample pathology report
  • Right breast capsule, complete capsulectomy:
    • Fibrous breast capsule with mild chronic inflammation
    • No morphologic or immunophenotypic support for lymphoma
    • Histologic sections of the right breast capsule show a fibrinous breast capsule with scattered small and mature lymphocytes. Synovium-like lining formation and silicone particles are occasionally seen. There are rare foci of breast glandular epithelium on the outer surface of the specimen.
    • Immunohistochemical stains are performed and the cells are negative for CD30, while CD3 and CD20 highlight small and mature T and B lymphocytes, respectively.
  • Left breast capsule, complete capsulectomy:
    • Breast implant associated anaplastic large cell lymphoma (see comment)
    • Tumor is confined to the inner surface of the peri-implant capsule (pathologic stage T1) and margins are negative
    • Comment: According to clinical notes, the patient is a 52 year old woman with a history of bilateral breast implant placement 9 years ago due to aesthetic reasons. She noticed swelling of the left breast 10 months ago and it was initially attributed to capsular contracture and spontaneously resolved; however, 1 month ago, the swelling recurred with an ipsilateral accompanying effusion, which was aspirated. The cytologic and immunophenotypic examination showed neoplastic cells consistent with anaplastic large cell lymphoma and a bilateral complete capsulectomy was recommended.
    • Histologic sections of the left breast capsule show a thick and fibrinous breast capsule with rare, large and atypical lymphocytes with hyperchromatic and irregular surface in the luminal side of the capsule. Associated with the atypical lymphocytes, there is a dense lymphocytic infiltrate composed predominantly of small and mature lymphocytes.
    • Scrapings from the left breast implant surface show a high number of atypical cells with same cytological features of the capsule. Karyorrhectic debris is also present within the implant scrapings.
    • Touch preparation slides performed on the left breast capsule show rare large cells with irregular, multilobated nuclei and moderate cytoplasm.
    • Immunohistochemical stains are performed. The neoplastic cells are positive for CD2, CD5, CD8 and CD30 and are negative for CD3, CD4, CD7, CD10, CD56, TCR alpha beta and TCR gamma delta. Epstein-Barr virus encoding region (EBER) in situ hybridization is negative.
    • In summary, the clinicopathological features are diagnostic of breast implant associated anaplastic large cell lymphoma.
Board review style question #1


Which of the following is true about CD30 expression?

  1. CD30 belongs to tumor necrosis factor receptor superfamily
  2. High CD30 expression is required in lymphoma cells to predict better response to anti-CD30 therapy (brentuximab vedotin)
  3. It is a protein with exclusive extracellular domain
  4. Naïve normal B and T cells can express CD30
  5. There is an inconsistent correlation between the immunohistochemical expression of CD30 and mRNA levels
Board review style answer #1
A. CD30 belongs to tumor necrosis factor receptor superfamily. CD30 is a transmembrane glycoprotein, which belongs to tumor necrosis factor receptor superfamily. CD30, also known as BerH2, Ki1 or TNFRSF8, is a transmembrane glycoprotein receptor that belongs to the tumor necrosis factor receptor (TNFR) and was first identified in Hodgkin lymphoma cell lines but also expressed in normal activated B and T cells. This protein has an extracellular transmembrane and intracellular domains and the similarity of CD30 and other proteins of TNFR family is restricted only to the extracellular domain. Immunohistochemical expression of CD30 has a high concordance with mRNA levels. Interestingly, patients with any number of positive CD30+ cells in lymphoma cases can benefit from therapy with brentuximab vedotin, not only those cases that show all tumor cells positive for CD30.

Comment Here

Reference: CD30
Board review style question #2


Which of the following neoplasms is typically positive for CD30?

  1. Classic Hodgkin lymphoma
  2. Hepatosplenic T cell lymphoma
  3. High grade follicular lymphoma
  4. Nodular lymphocyte predominant Hodgkin lymphoma
  5. Testicular choriocarcinoma
Board review style answer #2
A. Classic Hodgkin lymphoma and anaplastic large cell lymphoma are typically positive for CD30, while nodular lymphocyte predominant Hodgkin lymphoma, follicular lymphoma and hepatosplenic T cell lymphoma are negative for CD30. Testicular embryonal but not choriocarcinoma is usually positive for CD30.

Comment Here

Reference: CD30
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