Skip to main content
Arjan Diepstra
dr.

As a hematopathologist, I work on diagnostics of all types of hematological malignancies using a comprehensive panel of different techniques. Moreover, my main research interest involves Hodgkin lymphoma, with a strong focus on interactions between tumor cells and the microenvironment. In addition, I also have a long standing interest in genetic susceptibility. My areas of expertise are: immunology, tumor cell biology, genetic association studies and molecular diagnostics in pathology. I actively participate in international (EORTC) and national (HOVON) clinical trials.

Treatment of patients with MYC rearrangement positive large B-cell lymphoma with R-CHOP plus lenalidomide: results of a multicenter phase II HOVON trial
Published in: Haematologica
Patients with MYC-rearrangement positive large B-cell lymphoma (MYC+ LBCL) have an inferior prognosis following standard first-line therapy with rituximab, cyclophosphamide, doxorubicin, vincristine, and prednisolone (R-CHOP) compared to patients withoutMYC rearrangement. Although intensive chemotherapy regimens yield higher remission rates, toxicity remains a concern. Lenalidomide is an oral immunomodulatory drug which downregulates MYC and its target genes thereby providing support using lenalidomide as additional therapeutic option for MYC+ LBCL. A phase II trial was conducted evaluating the efficacy of lenalidomide (15 mg day 1-14) in combination with R-CHOP (R2CHOP) in...
Martine E D Chamuleau, Coreline N Burggraaff, Marcel Nijland, Katerina Bakunina, Rogier Mous, Pieternella J Lugtenburg, Daan Dierickx, Gustaaf W van Imhoff, Joost S P Vermaat, Erik A F Marijt, Otto Visser, Caroline Mandigers, Yavuz M Bilgin, Aart Beeker, Mark F Durian, Bas van Rees, Lara H Bohmer, Lidwine W Tick, Rinske S Boersma, Tjeerd J F SnijdersHarry C Schouten, Harry R Koene, Eva de Jongh, Nathalie Hijmering, Arjan Diepstra, Anke van den Berg, Anne I J Arens, Julia Huijbregts, Otto Hoekstra, Josee M Zijlstra, Daphne de Jong, Marie José Kersten
Rosetting T cells in Hodgkin lymphoma are activated by immunological synapse components HLA class II and CD58
Published in: Blood
A unique feature of Hodgkin lymphoma (HL) is the presence of CD4+ T cells that surround, protect, and promote survival of tumor cells. The adhesion molecules involved in this so-called T-cell rosetting are important components of the immunological synapse (IS). However, it is unknown whether this synapse is fully assembled and leads to T-cell activation by enabling interaction between the T-cell receptor (TCR) and human leukocyte antigen class II (HLA-II). We established a novel rosetting model by coculturing HLA-II-matched peripheral blood mononuclear cells with HL cell lines and...
Johanna Veldman, Lydia Visser, Magdalena Huberts-Kregel, Natasja Muller, Bouke Hepkema, Anke Van den Berg, Arjan Diepstra
Biopsy-Controlled Non-Invasive Quantification of Collagen Type VI in Kidney Transplant Recipients: A Post-Hoc Analysis of the MECANO Trial
Published in: Journal of Clinical Medicine
The PRO-C6 assay, a reflection of collagen type VI synthesis, has been proposed as a non-invasive early biomarker of kidney fibrosis. We aimed to investigate cross-sectional and longitudinal associations between plasma and urine PRO-C6 and proven histological changes after kidney transplantation. The current study is a post-hoc analysis of 94 participants of the MECANO trial, a 24-month prospective, multicenter, open-label, randomized, controlled trial aimed at comparing everolimus-based vs. cyclosporine-based immunosuppression. PRO-C6 was measured in plasma and urine samples collected 6 and 24 months post-transplantation. Fibrosis was evaluated in...
Manuela Yepes-Calderón, Camilo G Sotomayor, Daniel Guldager Kring Rasmussen, Ryanne S Hijmans, Charlotte A Te Velde-Keyzer, Marco van Londen, Marja van Dijk, Arjan Diepstra, Stefan P Berger, Morten Asser Karsdal, Frederike J Bemelman, Johan W de Fijter, Jesper Kers, Sandrine Florquin, Federica Genovese, Stephan J L Bakker, Jan-Stephan Sanders, Jacob Van Den Born
F-18-FDG PET/CT in the Diagnostic and Treatment Evaluation of Pediatric Posttransplant Lymphoproliferative Disorders
Published in: Journal of Nuclear Medicine
We aimed to evaluate the diagnostic performance of 18F-FDG PET/CT for the detection of posttransplantation lymphoproliferative disorder (PTLD) in a pediatric population and explore its feasibility during response assessment. Methods: This retrospective study included 28 pediatric transplant recipients who underwent a total of 32 18F-FDG PET/CT scans due to clinical suspicion of PTLD within an 8-y period. Pathology reports and 2 y of follow-up were used as the reference standard. Twenty-one response assessment 18F-FDG PET/CT scans were reevaluated according to the Lugano criteria. Results: The diagnosis of PTLD...
Interim thymus and activation regulated chemokine versus interim F-18-fluorodeoxyglucose positron-emission tomography in classical Hodgkin lymphoma response evaluation
Published in: British Journal of Haematology
Serum thymus and activation regulated chemokine (TARC) levels reflect classical Hodgkin lymphoma (cHL) disease activity and correspond with treatment response. We compared mid-treatment interim TARC (iTARC) with interim 18 F-fluorodeoxyglucose positron-emission tomography (iPET) imaging to predict modified progression-free survival (mPFS) in a group of 95 patients with cHL. High iTARC levels were found in nine and positive iPET in 17 patients. The positive predictive value (PPV) of iTARC for a 5-year mPFS event was 88% compared to 47% for iPET. The negative predictive value was comparable at 86%...