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Follicular helper T-cell lymphomas (TFHL) harbour frequent alterations in genes that regulate DNA methylation. Preliminary reports suggest that treatment with 5-azacitidine has clinical activity in patients with relapsed or refractory TFHL. We aimed to compare the oral form of azacitidine with investigator's choice standard therapy (ICT; ie, gemcitabine, bendamustine, or romidepsin) in patients with relapsed or refractory TFHL.

Selective activator protein (AP)-1 inhibitors are potentially promising therapeutic agents for atopic dermatitis (AD) because AP-1 is an important regulator of skin inflammation. However, few studies have investigated the effect of topical application of AP-1 inhibitors in treating inflammatory skin disorders.

IMPORTANCE: Substantial heterogeneity exists in treatment recommendations across molecular tumor boards (MTBs), especially for biomarkers with low evidence levels; therefore, the learning program is essential. OBJECTIVE: To determine whether a learning program sharing treatment recommendations for biomarkers with low evidence levels contributes to the standardization of MTBs and to investigate the efficacy of an artificial intelligence (AI)–based annotation system. DESIGN, SETTING, AND PARTICIPANTS: This prospective quality improvement study used 50 simulated cases to assess concordance of treatment recommendations between a central committee and participants. Forty-seven participants applied from April 7 to May 13, 2021. Fifty simulated cases were randomly divided into prelearning and postlearning evaluation groups to assess similar concordance based on previous investigations. Participants included MTBs at hub hospitals, treating physicians at core hospitals, and AI systems. Each participant made treatment recommendations for each prelearning case from registration to June 30, 2021; participated in the learning program on July 18, 2021; and made treatment recommendations for each postlearning case from August 3 to September 30, 2021. Data were analyzed from September 2 to December 10, 2021. EXPOSURES: The learning program shared the methodology of making appropriate treatment recommendations, especially for biomarkers with low evidence levels. MAIN OUTCOMES AND MEASURES: The primary end point was the proportion of MTBs that met prespecified accreditation criteria for postlearning evaluations (approximately 90% concordance with high evidence levels and approximately 40% with low evidence levels). Key secondary end points were chronological enhancements in the concordance of treatment recommendations on postlearning evaluations from prelearning evaluations. Concordance of treatment recommendations by an AI system was an exploratory end point. RESULTS: Of the 47 participants who applied, 42 were eligible. The accreditation rate of the MTBs was 55.6% (95% CI, 35.3%-74.5%; P < .001). Concordance in MTBs increased from 58.7% (95% CI, 52.8%-64.4%) to 67.9% (95% CI, 61.0%-74.1%) (odds ratio, 1.40 [95% CI, 1.06-1.86]; P = .02). In postlearning evaluations, the concordance of treatment recommendations by the AI system was significantly higher than that of MTBs (88.0% [95% CI, 68.7%-96.1%]; P = .03). CONCLUSIONS AND RELEVANCE: The findings of this quality improvement study suggest that use of a learning program improved the concordance of treatment recommendations provided by MTBs to central ones. Treatment recommendations made by an AI system showed higher concordance than that for MTBs, indicating the potential clinical utility of the AI system.

•ABC-DLBCL is enriched in Japanese DLBCL.•DLBCL90 is a robust biomarker that is consistent across geographical areas.

Primary mediastinal large B-cell lymphoma (PMBL) is a type of aggressive B-cell lymphoma that typically affects young adults, characterized by presence of a bulky anterior mediastinal mass. Lymphomas with gene expression features of PMBL have been described in nonmediastinal sites, raising questions about how these tumors should be classified. Here, we investigated whether these nonmediastinal lymphomas are indeed PMBLs or instead represent a distinct group within diffuse large B-cell lymphoma (DLBCL). From a cohort of 325 de novo DLBCL cases, we identified tumors from patients without evidence of anterior mediastinal involvement that expressed a PMBL expression signature (nm-PMBLsig+; n = 16; 5%). A majority of these tumors expressed MAL and CD23, proteins typically observed in bona fide PMBL (bf-PMBL). Evaluation of clinical features of nm-PMBLsig+ cases revealed close associations with DLBCL, and a majority displayed a germinal center B cell–like cell of origin (GCB). In contrast to patients with bf-PMBL, patients with nm-PMBLsig+ presented at an older age and did not show pleural disease, and bone/bone marrow involvement was observed in 3 cases. However, although clinically distinct from bf-PMBL, nm-PMBLsig+ tumors resembled bf-PMBL at the molecular level, with upregulation of immune response, JAK-STAT, and NF-κB signatures. Mutational analysis revealed frequent somatic gene mutations in SOCS1, IL4R, ITPKB, and STAT6, as well as CD83 and BIRC3, with the latter genes significantly more frequently affected than in GCB DLBCL or bf-PMBL. Our data establish nm-PMBLsig+ lymphomas as a group within DLBCL with distinct phenotypic and genetic features. These findings may have implications for gene expression– and mutation-based subtyping of aggressive B-cell lymphomas and related targeted therapies.

When the World Health Organization defined high-grade B-cell lymphoma with MYC and BCL2 and/or BCL6 rearrangements (HGBL-DH/TH) as a clinical category, rearrangements were the only structural variant (SV) incorporated. An “atypical double-hit” category has been proposed, encompassing tumors with concurrent MYC and BCL2 SVs other than cooccurring translocations (ie, copy number variations [CNVs]). Although the identification of a gene expression signature (DHITsig) shared among tumors harboring MYC and BCL2 rearrangements (HGBL-DH/TH-BCL2) has confirmed a common underlying biology, the biological implication of MYC and BCL2 CNVs requires further elucidation. We performed a comprehensive analysis of MYC and BCL2 SVs, as determined by fluorescent in situ hybridization (FISH), in a cohort of 802 de novo tumors with diffuse large B-cell lymphoma morphology. Although BCL2 CNVs were associated with increased expression, MYC CNVs were not. Furthermore, MYC and BCL2 CNVs, in the context of atypical double-hit, did not confer a similar gene expression profile as HGBL-DH/TH-BCL2. Finally, although MYC immunohistochemistry (IHC) has been proposed as a screening tool for FISH testing, 2 mechanisms were observed that uncoupled MYC rearrangement from IHC positivity: (1) low MYC messenger RNA expression; and (2) false-negative IHC staining mediated by a single-nucleotide polymorphism resulting in an asparagine-to-serine substitution at the 11th amino acid residue of MYC (MYC-N11S). Taken together, these results support the current exclusion of MYC and BCL2 CNVs from HGBL-DH/TH and highlight the ability of a molecular-based classification system to identify tumors with shared biology that FISH and IHC fail to fully capture.

When the World Health Organization defined high-grade B-cell lymphoma with MYCand BCL2and/or BCL6rearrangements (HGBL-DH/TH) as a clinical category, rearrangements were the only structural variant (SV) incorporated. An “atypical double-hit” category has been proposed, encompassing tumors with concurrent MYCand BCL2SVs other than cooccurring translocations (ie, copy number variations [CNVs]). Although the identification of a gene expression signature (DHITsig) shared among tumors harboring MYCand BCL2rearrangements (HGBL-DH/TH-BCL2) has confirmed a common underlying biology, the biological implication of MYCand BCL2CNVs requires further elucidation. We performed a comprehensive analysis of MYCand BCL2SVs, as determined by fluorescent in situ hybridization (FISH), in a cohort of 802 de novo tumors with diffuse large B-cell lymphoma morphology. Although BCL2CNVs were associated with increased expression, MYCCNVs were not. Furthermore, MYCand BCL2CNVs, in the context of atypical double-hit, did not confer a similar gene expression profile as HGBL-DH/TH-BCL2.Finally, although MYC immunohistochemistry (IHC) has been proposed as a screening tool for FISH testing, 2 mechanisms were observed that uncoupled MYCrearrangement from IHC positivity: (1) low MYCmessenger RNA expression; and (2) false-negative IHC staining mediated by a single-nucleotide polymorphism resulting in an asparagine-to-serine substitution at the 11th amino acid residue of MYC (MYC-N11S). Taken together, these results support the current exclusion of MYCand BCL2CNVs from HGBL-DH/TH and highlight the ability of a molecular-based classification system to identify tumors with shared biology that FISH and IHC fail to fully capture.

Transmembrane protein 30A (TMEM30A) maintains the asymmetric distribution of phosphatidylserine, an integral component of the cell membrane and ‘eat-me’ signal recognized by macrophages. Integrative genomic and transcriptomic analysis of diffuse large B-cell lymphoma (DLBCL) from the British Columbia population-based registry uncovered recurrent biallelic TMEM30Aloss-of-function mutations, which were associated with a favorable outcome and uniquely observed in DLBCL. Using TMEM30A-knockout systems, increased accumulation of chemotherapy drugs was observed in TMEM30A-knockout cell lines and TMEM30A-mutated primary cells, explaining the improved treatment outcome. Furthermore, we found increased tumor-associated macrophages and an enhanced effect of anti-CD47 blockade limiting tumor growth in TMEM30A-knockout models. By contrast, we show that TMEM30A loss-of-function increases B-cell signaling following antigen stimulation—a mechanism conferring selective advantage during B-cell lymphoma development. Our data highlight a multifaceted role for TMEM30A in B-cell lymphomagenesis, and characterize intrinsic and extrinsic vulnerabilities of cancer cells that can be therapeutically exploited.

Background: Primary central nervous system lymphoma (PCNSL) constitutes approximately 5% of extranodal lymphomas. More than 90% of PCNSL are diagnosed as diffuse large B-cell lymphomas (DLBCL), mainly classified as the activated B cell (ABC) subtype. Recent genetic analyses have identified key molecular drivers of PCNSL, including MYD88, CARD11and CD79B. However, molecular analyses using bulk samples have provided limited insights into the heterogeneity in lymphoma cells of PCNSL. To improve our understanding in the biology of PCNSL, we conducted a multimodal single-cell analyses and integrated single-cell and spatial analyses to characterize the molecular properties of PCNSL tumors.

Introduction: CD79B is a target of polatuzumab vedotin, an antibody-drug conjugate, which significantly improved the prognosis of both previously untreated and relapsed/refractory patients with diffuse large B-cell lymphoma (DLBCL). However, the biological and clinical significance of CD79B protein and gene expression have not been fully explored in DLBCL, thus we aimed at examining these relationships.

Background:Follicular lymphoma (FL) is a chronic and incurable disease requiring multiple lines of therapy for patients (pts) with relapsed/refractory (R/R) disease. Covalent Bruton tyrosine kinase inhibitors (cBTKi) have transformed the management of select B-cell malignancies, in particular chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL) and mantle cell lymphoma (MCL). However, despite the transformative impact in CLL and MCL, the efficacy of single-agent cBTKi has been limited in pts with R/R FL, with an overall response rate (ORR) of 20.9% to 37.5% (Gopal et al, J Clin Oncol, 2018; Bartlett et al, Blood, 2018). Pirtobrutinib, a highly selective, non-covalent (reversible) BTKi, inhibits both wildtype and C481-mutant BTK with equal low nM potency and has a favorable oral pharmacology that enables continuous BTK inhibition throughout the once-daily dosing interval. Pirtobrutinib has demonstrated promising efficacy and tolerability in pts with poor-prognosis B-cell malignancies following prior therapy, including cBTKi. Here, we report the safety and efficacy of pirtobrutinib in a cohort of pts with R/R FL from the BRUIN study (NCT03740529).

Genomic rearrangements in the MYClocus occur in ∼12% of lymphomas with diffuse large B-cell lymphoma (DLBCL) morphology and are associated with inferior outcome. Previous studies exploring MYCrearrangements have primarily used fluorescence in situ hybridization (FISH) assays to characterize break-apart status but have rarely examined breakpoint location, and in some cases have not examined partner identity. We performed targeted sequencing of MYC, BCL2, BCL6, and the immunoglobulin (IG) loci in 112 tumors with DLBCL morphology harboring MYCrearrangement. We characterized the location of the MYCrearrangement at base pair resolution and identified the partner in 88 cases. We observed a cluster of breakpoints upstream of the MYCcoding region and in intron 1 (the “genic cluster”). Genic cluster rearrangements were enriched for translocations involving IGH(80%), whereas nongenic rearrangements occurred mostly downstream of the MYCgene with a variety of partners, including IGLand IGK. Other recurrent partners included BCL6, ZCCHC7, and RFTN1, which has not previously been described as a MYCpartner. We compared 2 commercially available FISH break-apart assays for the MYClocus and observed discordant results in 32% of cases examined, including some with MYC-IGLand MYC-IGKrearrangements. In cases of high-grade B-cell lymphoma with MYCand BCL2and/or BCL6rearrangement (HGBL-DH), so-called “double-hit” lymphomas, the majority of MYCrearrangements had non-IGpartners (65%), with breakpoints outside the genic cluster (72%). In patients with de novo HGBL-DH of DLBCL morphology, MYC-IGrearrangements showed a trend toward inferior time to progression and overall survival compared with MYC–non-IGrearrangements. Our data reveal clinically relevant architecture of MYCrearrangements in lymphomas with DLBCL morphology.

Genomic rearrangements in the MYC locus occur in ~12% of lymphomas with diffuse large B-cell lymphoma (DLBCL) morphology and are associated with inferior outcome. Previous studies exploring MYC rearrangements have primarily used fluorescence in situ hybridization (FISH) assays to characterize break-apart status but have rarely examined breakpoint location, and in some cases have not examined partner identity. We performed targeted sequencing of MYC, BCL2, BCL6, and the immunoglobulin (IG) loci in 112 tumors with DLBCL morphology harboring MYC rearrangement. We characterized the location of the MYC rearrangement at base pair resolution and identified the partner in 88 cases. We observed a cluster of breakpoints upstream of the MYC coding region and in intron 1 (the “genic cluster”). Genic cluster rearrangements were enriched for translocations involving IGH (80%), whereas nongenic rearrangements occurred mostly downstream of the MYC gene with a variety of partners, including IGL and IGK. Other recurrent partners included BCL6, ZCCHC7, and RFTN1, which has not previously been described as a MYC partner. We compared 2 commercially available FISH break-apart assays for the MYC locus and observed discordant results in 32% of cases examined, including some with MYC-IGL and MYC-IGK rearrangements. In cases of high-grade B-cell lymphoma with MYC and BCL2 and/or BCL6 rearrangement (HGBL-DH), so-called “double-hit” lymphomas, the majority of MYC rearrangements had non-IG partners (65%), with breakpoints outside the genic cluster (72%). In patients with de novo HGBL-DH of DLBCL morphology, MYC-IG rearrangements showed a trend toward inferior time to progression and overall survival compared with MYC–non-IG rearrangements. Our data reveal clinically relevant architecture of MYC rearrangements in lymphomas with DLBCL morphology.

High-grade B-cell lymphoma with MYC and BCL2 and/or BCL6 rearrangements (HGBL-DH/TH) is a newly defined entity in the latest World Health Organization Classification. Accurate diagnosis would appear to mandate fluorescence in situ hybridization (FISH) for all tumors with diffuse large B-cell lymphoma (DLBCL) morphology. We present the results of FISH, cell-of-origin, and immunohistochemistry (IHC) testing from 1228 DLBCL biopsies from 3 clinical trials and a population-based registry. HGBL-DH/TH made up 7.9% of the DLBCL, confined primarily to the germinal center B-cell–like (GCB; 13.3%) compared with activated B-cell-like (ABC; 1.7%) subtype (P < .001). HGBL-DH/TH with BCL2 rearrangement is a GCB phenomenon with no cases observed in 415 ABC DLBCL. A screening strategy restricting FISH testing to tumors of GCB subtype (by Lymph2Cx or Hans IHC) plus dual protein expression of MYC and BCL2 by IHC could limit testing to 11% to 14% of tumors, with a positive predictive value of 30% to 37%; however, this strategy would miss approximately one-quarter of tumors with HBGL-DH/TH with BCL2 rearrangement and one-third of all HGBL-DH/TH. These results provide accurate estimation of the proportion of HGBL-DH/TH among tumors with DLBCL morphology and allow determination of the impact of various methods available to screen DLBCL tumors for FISH testing.

High-grade B-cell lymphoma with MYCand BCL2and/or BCL6rearrangements (HGBL-DH/TH) is a newly defined entity in the latest World Health Organization Classification. Accurate diagnosis would appear to mandate fluorescence in situ hybridization (FISH) for all tumors with diffuse large B-cell lymphoma (DLBCL) morphology. We present the results of FISH, cell-of-origin, and immunohistochemistry (IHC) testing from 1228 DLBCL biopsies from 3 clinical trials and a population-based registry. HGBL-DH/TH made up 7.9% of the DLBCL, confined primarily to the germinal center B-cell–like (GCB; 13.3%) compared with activated B-cell-like (ABC; 1.7%) subtype (P< .001). HGBL-DH/TH with BCL2rearrangement is a GCB phenomenon with no cases observed in 415 ABC DLBCL. A screening strategy restricting FISH testing to tumors of GCB subtype (by Lymph2Cx or Hans IHC) plus dual protein expression of MYC and BCL2 by IHC could limit testing to 11% to 14% of tumors, with a positive predictive value of 30% to 37%; however, this strategy would miss approximately one-quarter of tumors with HBGL-DH/TH with BCL2rearrangement and one-third of all HGBL-DH/TH. These results provide accurate estimation of the proportion of HGBL-DH/TH among tumors with DLBCL morphology and allow determination of the impact of various methods available to screen DLBCL tumors for FISH testing.

Targeted next-generation sequencing panels are increasingly used to assess the value of gene mutations for clinical diagnostic purposes. For assay development, amplicon-based methods have been preferentially used on the basis of short preparation time and small DNA input amounts. However, capture sequencing has emerged as an alternative approach because of high testing accuracy. We compared capture hybridization and amplicon sequencing approaches using fresh-frozen and formalin-fixed, paraffin-embedded tumor samples from eight lymphoma patients. Next, we developed a targeted sequencing pipeline using a 32-gene panel for accurate detection of actionable mutations in formalin-fixed, paraffin-embedded tumor samples of the most common lymphocytic malignancies: chronic lymphocytic leukemia, diffuse large B-cell lymphoma, and follicular lymphoma. We show that hybrid capture is superior to amplicon sequencing by providing deep more uniform coverage and yielding higher sensitivity for variant calling. Sanger sequencing of 588 variants identified specificity limits of thresholds for mutation calling, and orthogonal validation on 66 cases indicated 93% concordance with whole-genome sequencing. The developed pipeline and assay identified at least one actionable mutation in 91% of tumors from 219 lymphoma patients and revealed subtype-specific mutation patterns and frequencies consistent with the literature. This pipeline is an accurate and sensitive method for identifying actionable gene mutations in routinely acquired biopsy materials, suggesting further assessment of capture-based assays in the context of personalized lymphoma management.

The clinical significance of MYC and BCL2 genetic alterations in diffuse large B-cell lymphoma (DLBCL), apart from translocations, has not been comprehensively investigated using high-resolution genetic assays. In this study, we profiled MYC and BCL2 genetic alterations using next-generation sequencing and high-resolution SNP array in 347 de novo DLBCL cases treated with R-CHOP (rituximab, cyclophosphamide, doxorubicin, vincristine, and prednisone) at the British Columbia Cancer Agency. Cell-of-origin (COO) subtype was determined by Lymph2Cx digital gene expression profiling. We showed that the incidence of MYC/BCL2 genetic alterations and their clinical significance were largely dependent on COO subtypes. It is noteworthy that the presence of BCL2 gain/amplification is significantly associated with poor outcome in activated B-cell-like and BCL2 translocation with poor outcome in germinal center B-cell subtypes, respectively. Both have prognostic significance independent of MYC/BCL2 dual expression and the International Prognostic Index (IPI). Furthermore, the combination of BCL2 genetic alterations with IPI identifies markedly worse prognostic groups within individual COO subtypes. Thus, high-resolution genomic assays identify extremely poor prognostic groups within each COO subtype on the basis of BCL2 genetic status in this large, uniformly R-CHOP-treated population-based cohort of DLBCL. These results suggest COO subtype-specific biomarkers based on BCL2 genetic alterations can be used to risk-stratify patients with DLBCL treated with immunochemotherapy.

The clinical significance of MYCand BCL2genetic alterations in diffuse large B-cell lymphoma (DLBCL), apart from translocations, has not been comprehensively investigated using high-resolution genetic assays. In this study, we profiled MYCand BCL2genetic alterations using next-generation sequencing and high-resolution SNP array in 347 de novo DLBCL cases treated with R-CHOP (rituximab, cyclophosphamide, doxorubicin, vincristine, and prednisone) at the British Columbia Cancer Agency. Cell-of-origin (COO) subtype was determined by Lymph2Cx digital gene expression profiling. We showed that the incidence of MYC/BCL2genetic alterations and their clinical significance were largely dependent on COO subtypes. It is noteworthy that the presence of BCL2gain/amplification is significantly associated with poor outcome in activated B-cell-like and BCL2translocation with poor outcome in germinal center B-cell subtypes, respectively. Both have prognostic significance independent of MYC/BCL2 dual expression and the International Prognostic Index (IPI). Furthermore, the combination of BCL2genetic alterations with IPI identifies markedly worse prognostic groups within individual COO subtypes. Thus, high-resolution genomic assays identify extremely poor prognostic groups within each COO subtype on the basis of BCL2genetic status in this large, uniformly R-CHOP-treated population-based cohort of DLBCL. These results suggest COO subtype-specific biomarkers based on BCL2genetic alterations can be used to risk-stratify patients with DLBCL treated with immunochemotherapy.

•Corticosteroid administration is used for CRS/ICANS in patients with tisa-cel.•Excessive corticosteroid use is an independent poor prognostic factor.•This poor prognostic impact remains only in SD/PD patients, but not CR/PR patients.•Early elevation of regulatory T-cells after tisa-cel suppresses CRS onset.•Elevation of CD4+central memory T-cells is a favorable prognostic factor.

Dual expression of MYC and BCL2 by immunohistochemistry (IHC) is associated with poor outcome in diffuse large B-cell lymphoma (DLBCL). Dual translocation of MYC and BCL2, so-called “double-hit lymphoma,” has been associated with a high risk of central nervous system (CNS) relapse; however, the impact of dual expression of MYC and BCL2 (dual expressers) on the risk of CNS relapse remains unknown. Pretreatment formalin-fixed paraffin-embedded DLBCL biopsies derived from patients subsequently treated with rituximab plus cyclophosphamide, doxorubicin, vincristine, and prednisone (R-CHOP) were assembled on tissue microarrays from 2 studies and were evaluated for expression of MYC and BCL2 by IHC. In addition, cell of origin was determined by IHC and the Lymph2Cx gene expression assay in a subset of patients. We identified 428 patients who met the inclusion criteria. By the recently described CNS risk score (CNS–International Prognostic Index [CNS-IPI]), 34% were low risk (0 to 1), 45% were intermediate risk (2 to 3), and 21% were high risk (4 or greater). With a median follow-up of 6.8 years, the risk of CNS relapse was higher in dual expressers compared with non-dual expressers (2-year risk, 9.7% vs 2.2%; P = .001). Patients with activated B-cell or non–germinal center B-cell type DLBCL also had an increased risk of CNS relapse. However, in multivariate analysis, only dual expresser status and CNS-IPI were associated with CNS relapse. Dual expresser MYC+ BCL2+ DLBCL defines a group at high risk of CNS relapse, independent of CNS-IPI score and cell of origin. Dual expresser status may help to identify a high-risk group who should undergo CNS-directed evaluation and consideration of prophylactic strategies.

Dual expression of MYC and BCL2 by immunohistochemistry (IHC) is associated with poor outcome in diffuse large B-cell lymphoma (DLBCL). Dual translocation of MYCand BCL2, so-called “double-hit lymphoma,” has been associated with a high risk of central nervous system (CNS) relapse; however, the impact of dual expression of MYC and BCL2 (dual expressers) on the risk of CNS relapse remains unknown. Pretreatment formalin-fixed paraffin-embedded DLBCL biopsies derived from patients subsequently treated with rituximab plus cyclophosphamide, doxorubicin, vincristine, and prednisone (R-CHOP) were assembled on tissue microarrays from 2 studies and were evaluated for expression of MYC and BCL2 by IHC. In addition, cell of origin was determined by IHC and the Lymph2Cx gene expression assay in a subset of patients. We identified 428 patients who met the inclusion criteria. By the recently described CNS risk score (CNS–International Prognostic Index [CNS-IPI]), 34% were low risk (0 to 1), 45% were intermediate risk (2 to 3), and 21% were high risk (4 or greater). With a median follow-up of 6.8 years, the risk of CNS relapse was higher in dual expressers compared with non-dual expressers (2-year risk, 9.7% vs 2.2%; P= .001). Patients with activated B-cell or non–germinal center B-cell type DLBCL also had an increased risk of CNS relapse. However, in multivariate analysis, only dual expresser status and CNS-IPI were associated with CNS relapse. Dual expresser MYC+BCL2+DLBCL defines a group at high risk of CNS relapse, independent of CNS-IPI score and cell of origin. Dual expresser status may help to identify a high-risk group who should undergo CNS-directed evaluation and consideration of prophylactic strategies.

Diffuse large B-cell lymphoma (DLBCL) is an aggressive disease, with 30% to 40% of patients failing to be cured with available primary therapy. microRNAs (miRNAs) are RNA molecules that attenuate expression of their mRNA targets. To characterize the DLBCL miRNome, we sequenced miRNAs from 92 DLBCL and 15 benign centroblast fresh frozen samples and from 140 DLBCL formalin-fixed, paraffin-embedded tissue samples for validation. We identify known and candidate novel miRNAs, 25 of which are associated with survival independently of cell-of-origin and International Prognostic Index scores, which are established indicators of outcome. Of these 25 miRNAs, six miRNAs are significantly associated with survival in our validation cohort. Abundant expression of miR-28-5p, miR-214-5p, miR-339-3p, and miR-5586-5p is associated with superior outcome, while abundant expression of miR-324-5p and NOVELM00203M is associated with inferior outcome. Comparison of DLBCL miRNA-seq expression profiles with those from other cancer types identifies miRNAs that were more abundant in B-cell contexts. Unsupervised clustering of miRNAs identifies two clusters of patients that have distinct differences in their outcomes. Our integrative miRNA and mRNA expression analyses reveal that miRNAs increased in abundance in DLBCL appear to regulate the expression of genes involved in metabolism, cell cycle, and protein modification. Additionally, these miRNAs, including one candidate novel miRNA, miR-10393-3p, appear to target chromatin modification genes that are frequent targets of somatic mutation in non-Hodgkin lymphomas. Our comprehensive sequence analysis of the DLBCL miRNome identifies candidate novel miRNAs and miRNAs associated with survival, reinforces results from previous mutational analyses, and reveals regulatory networks of significance for lymphomagenesis.

Follicular lymphoma (FL) is an indolent disease but transforms in 2% to 3% of patients per year into aggressive, large cell lymphoma, a critical event in the course of the disease associated with increased lymphoma-related mortality. Early transformation cannot be accurately predicted at the time of FL diagnosis and the biology of transformed FL (TFL) is poorly understood. Here, we assembled a cohort of 126 diagnostic FL specimens including 40 patients experiencing transformation (<5 years) and 86 patients not experiencing transformation for at least 5 years. In addition, we assembled an overlapping cohort of 155 TFL patients, including 114 cases for which paired samples were available, and assessed temporal changes of routinely available biomarkers, outcome after transformation, as well as molecular subtypes of TFL. We report that the expression of IRF4 is an independent predictor of early transformation (Hazard ratio, 13.3; P< .001). We also show that composite histology at the time of transformation predicts favorable prognosis. Moreover, applying the Lymph2Cx digital gene expression assay for diffuse large B-cell lymphoma (DLBCL) cell-of-origin determination to 110 patients with DLBCL-like TFL, we demonstrate that TFL is of the germinal-center B-cell–like subtype in the majority of cases (80%) but that a significant proportion of cases is of the activated B-cell–like (ABC) subtype (16%). These latter cases are commonly negative for BCL2translocation and arise preferentially from BCL2translocation-negative and/or IRF4-expressing FLs. Our study demonstrates the existence of molecular heterogeneity in TFL as well as its relationship to the antecedent FL.

Follicular lymphoma (FL) is an indolent disease but transforms in 2% to 3% of patients per year into aggressive, large cell lymphoma, a critical event in the course of the disease associated with increased lymphoma-related mortality. Early transformation cannot be accurately predicted at the time of FL diagnosis and the biology of transformed FL (TFL) is poorly understood. Here, we assembled a cohort of 126 diagnostic FL specimens including 40 patients experiencing transformation (<5 years) and 86 patients not experiencing transformation for at least 5 years. In addition, we assembled an overlapping cohort of 155 TFL patients, including 114 cases for which paired samples were available, and assessed temporal changes of routinely available biomarkers, outcome after transformation, as well as molecular subtypes of TFL. We report that the expression of IRF4 is an independent predictor of early transformation (Hazard ratio, 13.3; P < .001). We also show that composite histology at the time of transformation predicts favorable prognosis. Moreover, applying the Lymph2Cx digital gene expression assay for diffuse large B-cell lymphoma (DLBCL) cell-of-origin determination to 110 patients with DLBCL-like TFL, we demonstrate that TFL is of the germinal-center B-cell–like subtype in the majority of cases (80%) but that a significant proportion of cases is of the activated B-cell–like (ABC) subtype (16%). These latter cases are commonly negative for BCL2 translocation and arise preferentially from BCL2 translocation-negative and/or IRF4-expressing FLs. Our study demonstrates the existence of molecular heterogeneity in TFL as well as its relationship to the antecedent FL.

The influence of hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection on prognosis and hepatic toxicity in patients with diffuse large B-cell lymphoma in the rituximab era is unclear. Thus, we analyzed 553 patients, 131 of whom were HCV-positive and 422 of whom were HCV-negative, with DLBCL treated with rituximab, cyclophosphamide, doxorubicin, vincristine, and prednisone (RCHOP)–like chemotherapy. Survival outcomes and hepatic toxicity were compared according to HCV infection. The median follow-up was 31 and 32 months for patients who were HCV-positive and HCV-negative, respectively. HCV infection was not a significant risk factor for prognosis (3-year progression-free survival, 69% vs 77%, P= .22; overall survival, 75% vs 84%, P= .07). Of 131 patients who were HCV-positive, 36 (27%) had severe hepatic toxicity (grade 3-4), compared with 13 of 422 (3%) patients who were HCV-negative. Multivariate analysis revealed that HCV infection was a significant risk factor for severe hepatic toxicity (hazard ratio: 14.72; 95% confidence interval, 6.37-34.03; P< .001). An exploratory analysis revealed that pretreatment transaminase was predictive of severe hepatic toxicity. HCV-RNA levels significantly increased during immunochemotherapy (P= .006). These results suggest that careful monitoring of hepatic function and viral load is indicated during immunochemotherapy for HCV-positive patients.

The influence of hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection on prognosis and hepatic toxicity in patients with diffuse large B-cell lymphoma in the rituximab era is unclear. Thus, we analyzed 553 patients, 131 of whom were HCV-positive and 422 of whom were HCV-negative, with DLBCL treated with rituximab, cyclophosphamide, doxorubicin, vincristine, and prednisone (RCHOP)–like chemotherapy. Survival outcomes and hepatic toxicity were compared according to HCV infection. The median follow-up was 31 and 32 months for patients who were HCV-positive and HCV-negative, respectively. HCV infection was not a significant risk factor for prognosis (3-year progression-free survival, 69% vs 77%, P = .22; overall survival, 75% vs 84%, P = .07). Of 131 patients who were HCV-positive, 36 (27%) had severe hepatic toxicity (grade 3-4), compared with 13 of 422 (3%) patients who were HCV-negative. Multivariate analysis revealed that HCV infection was a significant risk factor for severe hepatic toxicity (hazard ratio: 14.72; 95% confidence interval, 6.37-34.03; P < .001). An exploratory analysis revealed that pretreatment transaminase was predictive of severe hepatic toxicity. HCV-RNA levels significantly increased during immunochemotherapy (P = .006). These results suggest that careful monitoring of hepatic function and viral load is indicated during immunochemotherapy for HCV-positive patients.

Background:

Craig: Bayer: Consultancy. Slack: Seagen: Consultancy, Honoraria. Scott: Abbvie: Consultancy; AstraZeneca: Consultancy; Celgene: Consultancy; NanoString Technologies: Patents & Royalties: Patent describing measuring the proliferation signature in MCL using gene expression profiling.; BC Cancer: Patents & Royalties: Patent describing assigning DLBCL COO by gene expression profiling--licensed to NanoString Technologies. Patent describing measuring the proliferation signature in MCL using gene expression profiling. ; Rich/Genentech: Research Funding; Janssen: Consultancy, Research Funding; Incyte: Consultancy. Steidl: Epizyme: Research Funding; Bayer: Consultancy; Curis Inc.: Consultancy; Seattle Genetics: Consultancy; AbbVie: Consultancy; Trillium Therapeutics: Research Funding; Bristol-Myers Squibb: Research Funding.

Primary mediastinal large B-cell lymphoma (PMBL) is a type of aggressive B-cell lymphoma that typically affects young adults, characterized by presence of a bulky anterior mediastinal mass. Lymphomas with gene expression features of PMBL have been described in non-mediastinal sites, raising questions about how these tumors should be classified.

Background:With the goal of translating biological discovery into clinical actionability, deciphering crosstalk in the cellular ecosystem of the tumor microenvironment (TME) has emerged as a research focus. Although comparatively little is known about the immune biology of diffuse large B-cell lymphoma (DLBCL), as reflected in clonal selection of specific somatic gene mutations in response to immune system pressure and the specific composition of the TME, PRAME has emerged as a prominent member of the cancer germline antigen/ tumor associated antigen (TAA) family of proteins. It is expressed in various types of cancers, but generally not in normal tissues, apart from male germinal cells, and triggers autologous T-cell mediated immune responses. PRAME is highlighted as a new cancer therapeutic target of T-cell or antibody-based immunotherapies with promising anti-tumor responses in early phase clinical trials and pre-clinical models for several types of cancers. In the context of developing new immunotherapies, targeting TAAs that are presented by major histocompatibility complexes on tumor cells is a promising therapeutic strategy for patients that experience treatment failure.

Introduction:Central nervous system (CNS) relapse is a rare phenomenon in diffuse large B-cell lymphoma (DLBCL), occurring in less than 5% of all patients, but is associated with disproportionate morbidity and mortality. Indeed, the median survival of patients diagnosed with CNS relapse is as low as 2-4 months. Individual risk factors for CNS relapse are well established, and include clinical parameters such as stage, number/type of extranodal sites and elevated lactate dehydrogenase. These and other clinical risk factors have been integrated into a risk score that is reproducible and easy to calculate (CNS International Prognostic Index). Moreover, molecular attributes such as double-hit translocation status, MYC/BCL2 dual protein expression and the activated B-cell-like subtype have been associated with a higher risk of CNS relapse. However, while experts recommend prophylactic interventions for high-risk patients, the major shortcoming of available risk tools is their limited sensitivity. Herein, we evaluated whether gene expression and/or mutational profiles can identify those patients that will ultimately experience CNS relapse, and whether intratumoral heterogeneity impedes accurate prognostication.

Kridel: Gilead Sciences: Research Funding. Villa:Roche, Abbvie, Celgene, Seattle Genetics, Lundbeck, AstraZeneca, Nanostring, Janssen, Gilead: Consultancy, Honoraria. Steidl:Nanostring: Patents & Royalties: Filed patent on behalf of BC Cancer; Juno Therapeutics: Consultancy; Bristol-Myers Squibb: Research Funding; Roche: Consultancy; Tioma: Research Funding; Bayer: Consultancy; Seattle Genetics: Consultancy. Savage:BMS, Merck, Novartis, Verastem, Abbvie, Servier, and Seattle Genetics: Consultancy, Honoraria; Seattle Genetics, Inc.: Consultancy, Honoraria, Research Funding. Scott:Celgene: Consultancy; Roche/Genentech: Research Funding; NanoString: Patents & Royalties: Named inventor on a patent licensed to NanoSting [Institution], Research Funding; Janssen: Consultancy, Research Funding.

Villa: Roche, Abbvie, Celgene, Seattle Genetics, Lundbeck, AstraZeneca, Nanostring, Janssen, Gilead: Consultancy, Honoraria. Savage:BMS, Merck, Novartis, Verastem, Abbvie, Servier, and Seattle Genetics: Consultancy, Honoraria; Seattle Genetics, Inc.: Consultancy, Honoraria, Research Funding. Sehn:Abbvie: Consultancy, Honoraria; Seattle Genetics: Consultancy, Honoraria; F. Hoffmann-La Roche/Genentech: Consultancy, Honoraria, Research Funding; Amgen: Consultancy, Honoraria; Morphosys: Consultancy, Honoraria; TEVA Pharmaceuticals Industries: Consultancy, Honoraria; Acerta: Consultancy, Honoraria; TG Therapeutics: Consultancy, Honoraria; Merck: Consultancy, Honoraria; TG Therapeutics: Consultancy, Honoraria; Lundbeck: Consultancy, Honoraria; Lundbeck: Consultancy, Honoraria; Seattle Genetics: Consultancy, Honoraria; F. Hoffmann-La Roche/Genentech: Consultancy, Honoraria, Research Funding; Verastem: Consultancy, Honoraria; Apobiologix: Consultancy, Honoraria; Janssen-Ortho: Consultancy, Honoraria; Takeda: Consultancy, Honoraria; Acerta: Consultancy, Honoraria; Celgene: Consultancy, Honoraria; Morphosys: Consultancy, Honoraria; TEVA Pharmaceuticals Industries: Consultancy, Honoraria; Amgen: Consultancy, Honoraria; Karyopharm: Consultancy, Honoraria; Janssen-Ortho: Honoraria; Merck: Consultancy, Honoraria; Astra Zeneca: Consultancy, Honoraria; Gilead: Consultancy, Honoraria; Kite Pharma: Consultancy, Honoraria; Kite Pharma: Consultancy, Honoraria; Astra Zeneca: Consultancy, Honoraria; Abbvie: Consultancy, Honoraria. Steidl:Nanostring: Patents & Royalties: Filed patent on behalf of BC Cancer; Bristol-Myers Squibb: Research Funding; Roche: Consultancy; Bayer: Consultancy; Seattle Genetics: Consultancy; Juno Therapeutics: Consultancy; Tioma: Research Funding. Scott:Roche/Genentech: Research Funding; Celgene: Consultancy; Janssen: Consultancy, Research Funding; NanoString: Patents & Royalties: Named inventor on a patent licensed to NanoSting [Institution], Research Funding.

Sarkozy: Takeda: Research Funding. Savage:BMS, Merck, Novartis, Verastem, Abbvie, Servier, and Seattle Genetics: Consultancy, Honoraria; Seattle Genetics, Inc.: Consultancy, Honoraria, Research Funding. Scott:Celgene: Consultancy; Roche/Genentech: Research Funding; Janssen: Consultancy, Research Funding; NanoString: Patents & Royalties: Named inventor on a patent licensed to NanoSting [Institution], Research Funding. Steidl:Bristol-Myers Squibb: Research Funding; Nanostring: Patents & Royalties: Filed patent on behalf of BC Cancer; Juno Therapeutics: Consultancy; Tioma: Research Funding; Roche: Consultancy; Bayer: Consultancy; Seattle Genetics: Consultancy.

Background: Diffuse large B-cell lymphoma (DLBCL) is a highly heterogeneous neoplasm with 40% of patients experiencing treatment failure following immuno-chemotherapy (R-CHOP). Both cell-of-origin (COO) and presence of concurrent MYC/BCL2rearrangements (DHIT) are significantly associated with distinct inferior outcome. Recently, next-generation sequencing (NGS) studies have uncovered distinct genetic subtypes, including a sizable ABC/GCB-independent group characterized by more frequent TP53abnormalities. The patterns of TP53mutations and the prognostic significance in DLBCL have been previously reported. However, such information is rarely available at the time of diagnosis as diagnosis of DLBCL for most patients is based on morphology and phenotype, assessed by immunohistochemistry (IHC). To bridge the gap between genotype and phenotype, we examined the TP53mutational status and TP53 protein over-expression (IHC) in a large population-based DLBCL cohort uniformly treated with R-CHOP (Ennishi et al. Blood 2017 129:2760-2770).