Incorporation of digital gene expression profiling for cell-of-origin determination (Lymph2Cx testing) into the routine work-up of diffuse large B cell lymphoma

Abstract

Diffuse large B cell lymphomas (DLBCL) represent a clinically heterogeneous group of lymphomas that are classified together based on similarities in morphology and immunophenotype. Gene expression profiling further classifies DLBCL into distinct molecular subgroups based on cell-of-origin (COO), including germinal center B cell type, activated B cell type, and unclassified type. COO assignment of DLBCL has important biological and prognostic significance, as well as emerging therapeutic implications. Herein, we describe the first clinical validation of a digital gene expression-profiling assay (Lymph2Cx) to perform COO assignment in the routine work-up of DLBCL using formalin-fixed paraffin-embedded (FFPE) tissue sections and describe the results of 90 consecutive DLBCL cases analyzed prospectively by a College of American Pathologists/Clinical Laboratory Improvement Amendments (CAP/CLIA)-certified clinical molecular diagnostics laboratory.