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Introduction

Follicular dendritic cells are, due to their function of presenting and retaining antigens, important contributors to memory B-Cell maturation during germinal centre reaction (GCR) (1). They organise B-Cell homeostasis and immune response in secondary lymphoid organs and seem to be the connection between innate and adaptive (B cell) response (2,3). B-Cell migration from follicles and competent humoral immune response are dependent on Follicular Dendritic Cells (4-6). They secrete CXCL13 chemokine for B-Cell follicle homing and built a scaffold for B-cell migration (7,8). Cellular mechanisms of Follicular Dendritic Cells are subject to research and lymph node FDC progenitor cells are still unknown. Research is especially difficult considering the fact that FDCs work in delicate 3D networks subsequent to pathogen exposition, limiting vitro examination in particular (2,9,10). The extremely rare neoplasm follicular dendritic cell sarcoma (FDCS) was first characterised by Monda et al (11) in 1986. Until today about 120 cases of FDCS of the head and neck region have been reported (12). The majority (60%) arises primarily in cervical, abdominal or axillar lymph nodes, but also extra-nodal origin from secondary lymphatic tissue like the tonsils, Waldeyer's ring or MALT is not uncommon (40%) (13). Final diagnosis of FDCS can only be established by immunohistochemical profiling. FDCS usually proves positive for CD21, CD23, CD35, KI-M4p, clusterin, Claudin 4, CXCL 13 and Ki-FDC1p, and in some cases for vimentin, S-100 protein, CD68, and specific muscle actin (SMA) (12,14,15). Often further pathological, electron microscope and cytochemical analyses are required. Clinically, FDCS shows low to intermediate malignant potential and a local recurrence rate of 40%. Distant metastasis occurs in 25% of cases, most often in the lungs, liver, peritoneum, and lymph nodes resulting in a mortality rate of 16.7% (14). Because the origin of follicular dendritic cells is uncertain, therapy of the FDCS varies. Krautler et al (16), found that FDCs are stromal in origin. In contrast to other dendritic cells, which are hematopoietic, they develop from mural cells (16) but opinions in literature vary (5,17). Therapeutic approaches of FDCS vary significantly and include total surgical removal with or without adjuvant radio and/or chemotherapy or chemotherapy by itself.

Case report

A 66-year-old patient suffered from an otherwise asymptomatic suddenly arisen right cervical mass in December of 2001. Upon clinical examination he presented with a rounded well-relocatable submandibular tumour of about 2 cm in maximum diameter and underwent surgical resection in early 2002 alio loco (University Hospital Aachen, Germany). The tumour was completely removed and the specimen was diagnosed as a metastasis of a medium proliferative spindle-cell mesenchymal tumour to a cervical lymph node, for instance a fibrosarcoma or a nerve sheath tumour. After extensive subsequent screening of the patient for further metastases and a primary tumour was negative, the specimens were referred to the national reference centre for soft tissue tumours. Histopathologic re-evaluation revealed a relatively uniform aspect with balls and curls of tumour cells with a chromatin-rich, hardly definable cytoplasm reminiscent of a nerve sheath tumour (Fig. 1; H&E micrographs). Immunohistochemistry confirmed the suspected diagnosis of a FDCS (Table I). In 2001 only few cases of FDCS were reported, most of them treated FDSC with total, local excision without adjuvant therapy (18-20). In some cases of FDCS occurring in multiple locations chemotherapy (alone or adjuvant) was performed (20,21). Therefore, the patient was not subjected to any further therapy.

Figure 1 H&E micrographs. H&E staining in 2002 (left) showing balls and curls of tumour cells with a chromatin-rich, hardly definable cytoplasm, and in 2007 (right) showing spindle-shaped, less pleomorphic cells with a light prominent nucleus and grained chromatin. Magnification, x20. H&E, haematoxylin and eosin.

Table I Immunohistochemical results.

Table I

Immunohistochemical results.

Marker	2002	2005	2007	2008
CD23	+++	+++	+++	+++
CD21	+++	+++	+++	+++
CD35	-	-	+	-
PD-L1	-	-	-	-
D2-40	+++	+++	+++	+++
CD68	+	+	+	+
EMA	-	+	+	-
Vimentin	+++	+++	+++	+++
S100	\	-	\	\
CK	\	-	\	\
Mib-1 (in hot spot areas), %	30	45	30	40

[i] -, negative; +, partially positive; +++, positive.

In June 2005 the patient was referred to our outpatient department (University Hospital Düsseldorf, Germany) with a right-sided submandibular nontender cervical lump of 2.5x2.5 cm right beneath the scar of the former surgical approach. Again, the lesion was asymptomatic otherwise, and clinically there were no further pathologic findings. A contrast-enhanced CT scan (SOMATOM® Sensation 6-System; Siemens) raised the suspicion of a metastatic lymph node conglomerate in the right neck-region I B without evidence of a primary tumour. MRI (1,5 T Magnetom® Vision system; Siemens) demonstrated two cervical masses almost isointense with skeletal muscles on T1-weighted imaging, with a high signal intensity on T2-weighted images and only weakly enhanced on fat-suppressed contrast-enhanced T1-weigthed images obtained after administration of gadolinium-DTPA. Conventional B-scan-sonography of the region (Technos MPX System by Esaote™) showed four homogenous round masses of low echogenicity in the right submandibular region with a pathologic diffuse vascularisation pattern [Fig. 2; sonography in 2005-B-Mode and color doppler ultrasound using a linear (14-8 MHz)]. The size of the masses ranged from 11.3 to 18.3 mm in maximum diameter. Additionally, the lesions were investigated using power doppler-analysis, tissue-enhanced imaging (TEI), and contrast-enhanced phase inversion low MI (<0-1) real-time ultrasound (CnTI) with the second-generation echo enhancer SonoVue™ (4.8 ml as a bolus i.v. followed by 5 ml NaCl i.v.; Bracco Corp.) (Fig. 2; sonography in 2005). Unfortunately, there were no PET images taken. A PET-CT could have added further information.

Figure 2 Sonography in 2005. B-Mode and color Doppler ultrasound using a linear (14-8 MHz) transducer revealed four round hypoechoic lesions (of up to 20 mm in maximum diameter) in the right submandibular region (IB) with dorsal sound reinforcement indicative of a high cell content of the tumour. The vascularization pattern is characterized by multiple feeders and chaotic intranodal vascular branching indicative of a malignant process.

Under the differential diagnosis of a recurrence of the FDC-Tumour versus a CUP-syndrome (carcinoma of unknown primary), the four masses were removed using the same submandibular approach as used in 2002, and again they appeared to be well-encapsulated and were removed macroscopically in toto. Histopathologic evaluation now revealed four tumours well defined by connective tissue consisting of spindle-shaped, less pleomorphic cells with a light prominent nucleus and grained chromatin (Fig. 1; H&E micrographs).

Upon confirmation of the suspected diagnosis by a national reference centre the patient was submitted to a restaging-program including CT-scans of the head and neck region, the chest, and the abdomen as well as a contrast-enhanced ultrasonographic examination of the abdominal organs. All investigations were negative for any other primary or metastatic disease. Again, the patient declined receiving any further therapy and was closely monitored.

In 2007 the patient presented once more with two enlarged lymph nodes both about 2.5x2.1x1.7 cm in size. One in the right submandibular region (IB), the other in the anterior submandibular region (IA) (Fig. 3; CT scans in 2007-Somatom Emotion 6 by Siemens Healthcare GmbH). The lymph nodes were surgically removed and histologically investigated. Specimens showed cells matching the previously identified follicular dendritic cell sarcoma. Adjuvant radiotherapy and/or chemotherapy was offered but refused by the patient, because of its indefinite success (22), its side effects, and prolonged hospitalisation.

Figure 3 CT scans in 2007. High resolution (2 mm) computed tomography in the sagittal (left) and the axial (right) planes are shown. A 2.5x2.1x1.7 cm big mass in level 1b adjacent to the right submandibular gland could be found.

In 2008 the patient felt another submandibular mass growing. In addition, several slightly enlarged lymph nodes were found. Considering the quick recurrence and the involvement of several lymph nodes the patient agreed to receive systemic chemotherapy with a CHOP regimen. Nevertheless, to receive a second opinion, he transferred to another hospital (University Hospital Cologne, Germany), where a mass of 2x2x1.4 cm was identified sonographically and a tumour resection in combination with a neck dissection was performed in June of 2008. The pathohistological examination of the excised specimens was congruous with the previously described follicular dendritic cell sarcoma. No adjuvant therapy was performed. After close monitoring the patient has been recurrence-free for ten years.

Retrospectively (in 2018) samples from all operations (using formalin-fixed and paraffin-embedded archival samples from 2002, 2005, 2007, and 2008) were reevaluated immunohistochemically (Fig. 4; immunochemical micrographs; Table I; immunohistochemial results) and analysed by molecular pathology using next-generation sequencing (NGS). Immunohistochemical staining was performed according to standard procedures on a Leica Bond system (Leica Microsystems) using monoclonal antibodies directed against CD21 (clone 1F8, 1:50; Dako), CD23 (clone SP23, 1: 100; Thermo Fischer Scientific, Inc.), CD35 (clone LRB25, 1:25; Cell Marque), and PD-L1 (Clone 28-8, 1:100; Dako). For NGS six sections of 10 µm thickness were cut from FFPE tissue blocks. Sections were deparaffinised and the tumour areas were macrodissected from unstained slides using a marked haematoxylin-eosin (H&E) stained slide as a reference. After proteinase K digestion, the DNA was isolated with the Maxwell® 16 FFPE Plus Tissue LEV DNA purification kit (Promega) on the Maxwell® 16 (Promega) following manufacturer's instructions. The DNA content was measured using quantitative PCR (qPCR).

Figure 4 Immunochemical micrographs. CD21+, CD23+ and CD35- immunochemical results in 2007. Magnification, x20.

For multiplex PCR-based target enrichment, the isolated DNA (10 ng each) was amplified with a customised GeneRead DNAseq Targeted Panel V2 (Qiagen) and the GeneRead DNAseq Panel PCR kit V2 (Qiagen) according to the GeneRead DNASeq Gene Panel handbook (Qiagen). The custom panel comprised a subset of cancer relevant genes including: BRAF, CDK4, CDKN2A, GNA11, GNAQ, HRAS, IDH1, KIT, KNSTRN, KRAS, NRAS, OXA1L, PDGFRA, PIK3CA, PTEN, RAC1 and TP53.

Libraries were constructed using the Gene Read DNA Library I Core kit and the Gene Read DNA I Amp kit (Qiagen). After end-repair and adenylation, NEXTflex DNA Barcodes were ligated (Bio Scientific). Barcoded libraries were amplified and then the final library product was quantified with QuantiFluor dsDNA System (Promega) on the Quantus Fluorometer (Promega), diluted and pooled in equal amounts. Finally, 12 pM of the constructed libraries were sequenced on the MiSeq (Illumina) with a MiSeq reagent kit V2 (300-cycles; Illumina) following the manufacturer's recommendations.

Data were exported as FASTQ files. Alignment and annotation was done using a modified version of a previously described method (23). BAM files were visualised in the Integrative Genomics viewer (http://www.broadinstitute.org/igv/). A 5% cut-off for variant calls was used and results were only interpreted if the coverage was >200x.

Discussion

Because of the rarity of FDCS, there is no standardized or even guideline-based treatment of the tumour. Therefore, treatment modalities can differ significantly. Depending on its supposed origin (stromal or lymphoid) the tumour is treated differently.

On the one hand FDCS is treated similar to sarcoma by surgery. Surgical excision has proven successful in unilocular FDCS (18-20) Amin at al. for example reported a case of FDCS of the head and neck which was treated by surgical excision. No neck dissection was performed. Their patient showed no recurrence after two years (12). Surgery in combination with adjuvant chemo- or radiotherapy has also been attempted in cases of multilocular FDCS (20,21). Pisani et al (24), treated FDCS of the head and neck by surgical excision and five courses of adjuvant chemotherapy with COP plus (PEG)-liposomal doxorubicin. Nevertheless, in localised FDCS adjuvant treatment showed no significant effect on overall survival (22).

On the other hand FDCS is treated like lymphoid tumours by chemotherapy with cyclophosphamide, doxorubicin, vincristine, and prednisone (CHOP) or CHOP-like regimens. As immunotherapeutial and chemotherapeutical options increase due to advances in research and technology, there are more therapeutic attempts coming from this field. Choi et al (13), reported a case of FDCS in which the patient was treated with a CHOP regimen. The outcome was a partial response after two cycles. High recurrence rates could be a result of not yet elaborated regimens. Roesch et al (25), for example hypothesized in 2014 that intensive chemotherapies lead to a depletion of immune cells allowing an early regrowth of the tumour.

Our patient tested positive for CD21, CD23, D2-40 and Vimentin, partially positive for CD68, and negative for CD35 (except in 2007) in every sample taken (Table I). This indicates an apparently low evolution of the tumour over a long period of time. In NGS no somatic mutation was detected, all genes were wild type. This combination could be specific for a locally less aggressive and only slowly progressive tumour with a low malignant potential. Furthermore, it might indicate a high recurrence rate. Our case is unique because although there were many recurrences (indeed, this many recurrences in one patient haven't been described before) in different locations of the neck, the patient refused to obtain any treatment other than surgery. This case raises the question whether the excisions left behind vital tumour tissue giving raise to the recurrences or if there is some kind of local (micro-) metastasis in lymph nodes occurring in FDCS causing further spread. After the 4th recurrence a comprehensive neck dissection was performed. Following that, the patient has been recurrence-free for over ten years. A more extensive surgical approach might therefore, in the individual case, prevent regrowth and can lead to a full recovery even in multiple recurrences.

Molecular technologies like whole transcriptome sequencing (WTS) have not only revealed new markers for FDC, such as FDCSP or serglycin (26), but they also might open the door to definitively clear the histogenesis of FDCs and to study the immunological microenvironment (27). Those techniques are expected to lead to new targeted drug therapies for FDCS in the future. Even though it might be challenging, research has to be continued in order to fully understand the function and progenitors of follicular dendritic cells. Only if FDCs are fully understood, a way for adequate therapy for FDC Sarcoma can be developed.

Acknowledgements

Not applicable.

Funding

No funding was received.

Availability of data and materials

The datasets used and/or analysed during the present study are available from the corresponding author on reasonable request.

Authors' contributions

LS wrote the manuscript. JL, NK, MR and RD revised the manuscript critically. CH and PL performed and interpreted the histopathological and immunohistochemical staining in 2018. PK was involved in the earlier histopathological and immunohistochemical staining. CS collected samples, performed sonographies, was the leading surgeon and had the idea to publish this case. All authors read and approved the final manuscript.

Ethics approval and consent to participate

Not applicable.

Patient consent for publication

Written informed consent was obtained.

Competing interests

The authors declare that they have no competing interests.

References