Improved biological insight and influence on management in indolent lymphoma. Talk 3: Update on nodal and splenic marginal zone lymphoma

Abstract

Splenic marginal zone lymphoma (SMZL) and nodal marginal zone lymphoma (NMZL) are rare indolent chronic B-cell lymphomas. Prognosis is typically good with median survival around 10-15 years. Management is generally based on the presence of symptoms or high tumor burden. There are no standard treatments for these 2 entities, and therapeutic strategies are rapidly evolving. Clinical developments for these 2 entities are oriented by genomic studies, with largely overlapping mutational profiles involving the NOTCH, B-cell receptor (BcR) and nuclear factor kB (NF-kB) signaling, chromatin remodeling, and the cytoskeleton. Although new therapeutic options based on targeting signaling pathways and overcoming resistance are increasingly available, few specific prospective studies are performed for these rare subtypes, limiting the conclusions that can be drawn. Novel drugs targeting B-cell signaling have shown promise, including ibrutinib and copanlisib. The second-generation oral immunomodalator (IMiD) lenalidomide showed impressive results when combined with rituximab. Other potential solutions include targeting the NF-kB, JAK/STAT, BCL2, NOTCH, and Toll-like receptor signaling pathways; however, studies in these 2 MZL entities are yet to prove a definitive benefit. Molecular profiling is now a cornerstone of diagnostic, prognostic, and therapeutic strategies to offer patient- and disease-specific solutions. The development of a wider range of effective targeted therapies and prognostic biomarkers is keenly awaited and is expected to strongly affect the natural history of SMZL and NMZL.