Tumor Abnormal Protein Level Predicts Disease Response and Progression of Diffuse Large B-Cell Lymphoma in the Rituximab Era.

BACKGROUND: Changes of glycoprotein are hallmarks for various malignancies; however, the prognostic impact in diffuse large B-cell lymphoma (DLBCL) has not been well elucidated. METHODS: Here we used serum tumor abnormal protein (TAP) level, a lectin-based agglutination assay, to investigate the clinical value of circulating glycoprotein level in DLBCL. One hundred and thirty-one newly diagnosed DLBCL patients treated by rituximab combined chemotherapy were retrospectively enrolled, all with data available for TAP level at initial diagnosis. Additionally, TAP levels during and after initial treatments were measured in 97 cases. RESULTS: Our results showed elevated pre-treatment TAP level was significantly associated with shorter progression-free survival (PFS, p = 0.019) and overall survival (OS, p = 0.025), especially in the high-risk subgroups. In the multivariate Cox regression analyses, pre-treatment TAP level was an independent predictive factor for PFS (p = 0.048). Moreover, ≥ 25% decrease of TAP level indicated superior PFS (p = 0.006) and OS (p = 0.024) in patients with elevated TAP levels at diagnosis. In cases which achieved complete or partial remission, TAP levels were significantly reduced during treatment, but not in non-responsive or progressed patients. CONCLUSIONS: TAP level is a strong prognostic tool for predicting disease progression and monitoring individual response for DLBCL in the rituximab era.

Circulating tumor DNA: clinical roles in diffuse large B cell lymphoma.

Diffuse large B cell lymphoma (DLBCL), the most common non-Hodgkin lymphoma (NHL), is a clinically and molecularly heterogeneous malignant lymphoproliferative disease. In the era of personalized medicine, genetic information is critical to early diagnosis, aiding risk stratification, directing therapeutic option, and monitoring disease relapse. However, lacking a circulating disease with most DLBCL cases hampers the acquisition of tumor genomic landscapes and disease dynamics. Circulating tumor DNA (ctDNA) is a novel noninvasive, real-time, and tumor-specific biomarker, reliably reflecting the comprehensive tumor genetic profiles, thus holds great promise in individualized medicine, including precise diagnosis and prognosis, response monitoring, and relapse detection of DLBCL. Here, we reviewed the recent advances of ctDNA in DLBCL and discussed its clinical values at different time points during the disease courses by comparing with the current routine methods in clinical practice. Collectively, we anticipated that ctDNA will ultimately be integrated into the management of DLBCL to facilitate precision medicine.

Ocular adnexal mucosa-associated lymphoid tissue lymphoma: a single center experience of 32 patients from China.

MALT represents the most common subtype in ocular adnexa lymphoma. Little data, however, has been reported in China. We consecutively analyzed 32 patients from April 2008 to January 2016. Median age at diagnosis was 57 (32-90) years. Most patients presented with stage IE (30/32, 87.5%) and the remaining 2 staged IVE. Treatment and followup data were available for 29 patients. Other than resection and biopsy for diagnosis, most of them (20/29, 68.9%) received radiotherapy. The rest underwent chemotherapy (1, 3.5%), both radiotherapy and chemotherapy (2, 6.9%), or 'watch and wait' (6, 20.7%). With a median followup of 28 (6-94) months, all of the patients are alive. Two cases progressed at 24 months and 30 months. Comparing the PFS for four treatment arms, no significant difference can be observed (P=0.147). Our data demonstrated the chronic clinical course and excellent prognosis of OAML. For localized cases, surgery combined with radiotherapy is recommended.

[Research Progress in Transgenic Animal Models of Chronic Lymphocytic Leukemia -Review].

Transgenic mouse models of chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL) are crucially required for the elucidation of the underlying pathogenic mechanisms and for finding new therapies. So far, several mouse models have been established, mimicking either genetic aberrations or dysregulated gene expression in CLL. Among all the models, TCL1 transgenic model is the most commonly used one. Additionally, there are also other models, such as 13q14-deletion model. In this review, the major genetically engineered mouse models of CLL in current use are summarized, the main problems include TCL-1 transgenic mice, miR15a/16-1 gene knockdown mice and miR29 transgeneic mice, BAFF and APRIL transgeneic mice, BCL-2:Traf2DN double transgeneic mice, IRF4-/-Vh11 transgeneic mice and so on.