Expression and significance of leptin receptor, p-STAT3 and p-AKT in diffuse large B-cell lymphoma

We investigated the expression and clinical significance of leptin receptor (OBR), p-STAT3 and p-AKT in patients with diffuse large B-cell lymphoma (DLBCL) by immunohistochemical analysis. Immunohistochemistry revealed high expression of OBR, p-STAT3 and p-AKT in 45.0% (36/80), 28.8% (23/80) and 18.8% (15/80) cases of DLBCL, respectively, and minimal staining in 100% (20/20) cases of RLH (P < 0.05). Compared with GCB group, the non-GCB group had higher p-STAT3 expression rate (21/57 vs. 2/23, P < 0.01). The expression of OBR was positively related with that of p-STAT3 and p-AKT in DLBCL patients (P < 0.05). Our data suggest that OBR stimulates the JAK/STAT and PI3K/AKT signaling pathway and induces the phosphorylation of STAT3 and AKT. This may be involved in carcinogenesis and prognosis of DLBCL. The specific inhibitions could interfere in the combination of leptin with OBR and obstruct the JAK/STAT and PI3K/AKT signaling pathways, which could lead to new research and treatment strategies for DLBCL treatment.