Diffuse large B cell lymphoma (DLBCL) is the most common subtype of non-Hodgkin lymphoma in all countries and all
age groups. DLBCL is potentially curable, and the outcome of
patients with DLBCL has completely changed with the introduction of
therapy involving the
monoclonal antibody rituximab in combination with
chemotherapy. Nonetheless,
relapse is detected
after treatment with
rituximab,
cyclophosphamide, hydroxydaunorubicin,
vincristine, and
prednisolone in approximately 30% of
patients. It has recently become clear that DLBCL represents a heterogeneous admixture of quite different entities.
Gene expression profiling has uncovered DLBCL subtypes that have distinct clinical
behaviors and
prognoses; however, incorporation of this information into
treatment algorithms awaits further investigation.
Future approaches to DLBCL
treatment will use this new genetic information to identify potential
biomarkers for
prognosis and targets for
treatment.