The t(11;18)(q21;q21) translocation is a specific marker for Helicobacter pylori-independent status of low-grade gastric mucosa-associated lymphoid tissue (MALT) lymphoma. However, there are no reliable markers to predict tumor response to H pylori eradication in patients without t(11;18)(q21;q21). Nuclear expression of BCL10 and nuclear factor kappa B (NF-kappa B) was recently found to be closely associated with Hpylori-independent status of the high-grade counterpart of gastric MALT lymphoma, which usually lacks t(11;18)(q21;q21). This study examined whether these 2 markers can also predict H pyloi-independent status of low-grade gastric MALT lymphomas without t(11; 18)(q21;q21). Sixty patients who underwent successful H pylori eradication for low-grade gastric MALT lymphomas were included. Forty-seven (78.3%) patients were negative for t(11;18)(q21;q21); among them, 36 (76.6%) were H pylori dependent and 11 (23.4%) were H pylori independent. Nuclear expression of BCL10 was significantly higher in H pylori-independent than in H pylori-dependent tumors (8 of 11 [72.7%] vs 3 of 36 [8.3%](.) P <.001). Nuclear expression of NF-kappa B was also significantly higher in H pylori-independent than in H pylori-dependent tumors (7 of 11 [63.6%] vs 3 of 36 [8.3%1; P <.001). Further, nuclear translocation of BCL10 and NF-kappa B was observed in 12 of the 13 patients with t(11;18)(q21;q21), and all these 12 patients were H pylori independent. In summary, nuclear expression of BCL10 or NF-kappa B is predictive of H pylori-independent status of low-grade gastric MALT lymphoma with or without t(11;18)(q21; q21).
