Conexiant
Login
  • The Analytical Scientist
  • The Cannabis Scientist
  • The Medicine Maker
  • The Ophthalmologist
  • The Pathologist
  • The Traditional Scientist
The Pathologist
  • Explore Pathology

    Explore

    • Latest
    • Insights
    • Case Studies
    • Opinion & Personal Narratives
    • Research & Innovations
    • Product Profiles

    Featured Topics

    • Molecular Pathology
    • Infectious Disease
    • Digital Pathology

    Issues

    • Latest Issue
    • Archive
  • Subspecialties
    • Oncology
    • Histology
    • Cytology
    • Hematology
    • Endocrinology
    • Neurology
    • Microbiology & Immunology
    • Forensics
    • Pathologists' Assistants
  • Training & Education

    Career Development

    • Professional Development
    • Career Pathways
    • Workforce Trends

    Educational Resources

    • Guidelines & Recommendations
    • App Notes

    Events

    • Webinars
    • Live Events
  • Events
    • Live Events
    • Webinars
  • Profiles & Community

    People & Profiles

    • Power List
    • Voices in the Community
    • Authors & Contributors
  • Multimedia
    • Video
    • Podcasts
Subscribe
Subscribe

False

The Pathologist / Issues / 2023 / Jan / A New Subtype for Castleman Disease
Histology Histology Biochemistry and molecular biology Microscopy and imaging

A New Subtype for Castleman Disease

Researchers believe that idiopathic plasmacytic lymphadenopathy warrants its own disease subgroup

By George Francis Lee 01/18/2023 News 2 min read

Share

Idiopathic plasmacytic lymphadenopathy (IPL) is a rare benign inflammatory disease categorized by proliferation of polyclonal plasma cells in the lymph nodes, causing large amounts of antibody production. Idiopathic multicentric Castleman disease (iMCD) is a unique disease subtype that is unrelated to the unicentric and the HHV-8-associated forms. Historically, iMCD has been classified into two groups: iMCD-TAFRO (thrombocytopenia, anasarca, fever, reticulin fibrosis, and organomegaly) and iMCD-NOS (not otherwise specified).

The jury is still out on whether the aforementioned IPL should belong to the iMCD-NOS group. But a recent paper tackled the topic by examining specimens of the iMCD-NOS group, finding evidence to suggest that IPL should possibly be considered a separate disease subgroup in iMCD (1).

Historically, IPL has been associated with iMCD-NOS because they share similar clinical pathologies. To test the validity of this consensus, the team analyzed lymph node specimens from patients who both qualified for iMCD and were negative for KSHV/HHV8 infection.

The majority of the specimens (34) were classified under the IPL group, with a total of eight others being categorized as the non-IPL group. Histological analysis demonstrated unique pathological characteristics in the IPL group; namely, greater plasmacytosis and hyperplastic germinal centers compared with the non-IPL specimens. Conversely, the vascularity of the non-IPL group was higher than that of the IPL group. Clinically, the IPL group showed notable thrombocytosis and elevated serum IgG levels compared with non-IPL specimens, whereas pleural effusion and ascites were less common in the IPL counterparts. 

The IPL group was also seen to respond better to the anti-IL-6 receptor antibody, whereas the non-IPL specimens needed more intensive medical treatment. According to the researchers, these findings justify IPL forming a unique subgroup of iMCD-NOS, and further molecular analysis is required to find subtype-specific biomarkers to improve patient outcomes.

Newsletters

Receive the latest pathology news, personalities, education, and career development – weekly to your inbox.

Newsletter Signup Image

References

  1. A Nishikori et al., Int J Mol Sci, 23, 10301 (2022). PMID: 36142213.

About the Author(s)

George Francis Lee

Interested in how disease interacts with our world. Writing stories covering subjects like politics, society, and climate change.

More Articles by George Francis Lee

Explore More in Pathology

Dive deeper into the world of pathology. Explore the latest articles, case studies, expert insights, and groundbreaking research.

False

Advertisement

Recommended

False

Related Content

Your Newest Colleague?
Histology
Your Newest Colleague?

January 6, 2022

1 min read

The need for AI-based end-to-end biomarkers in oncology

Biospecimen Access For Biotechs
Histology
Biospecimen Access For Biotechs

February 14, 2022

1 min read

Quality, provenance, and “taking pot luck”

Case of the Month
Histology
Case of the Month

February 21, 2022

1 min read

The Art of the Laboratory
Histology
The Art of the Laboratory

March 25, 2022

1 min read

For the seventh time, we asked you to share the images you think capture the most beautiful, educational, or amusing aspects of pathology – and you delivered. Welcome to our gallery tour of the most visually striking discipline in medicine!

False

The Pathologist
Subscribe

About

  • About Us
  • Work at Conexiant Europe
  • Terms and Conditions
  • Privacy Policy
  • Advertise With Us
  • Contact Us

Copyright © 2025 Texere Publishing Limited (trading as Conexiant), with registered number 08113419 whose registered office is at Booths No. 1, Booths Park, Chelford Road, Knutsford, England, WA16 8GS.