Diffuse large B cell lymphoma: Molecular targeted therapy

Abstract

Diffuse large B cell lymphoma (DLBCL) is a biologically heterogeneous disease and the most common subtype of B cell non-Hodgkin's lymphoma in the USA. Even though it is a curable lymphoma in advanced stages, up to 40 % of patients eventually relapse or fail to achieve remission. Improved understanding of the biologic complexity of DLBCL reveals a diverse range of oncogenic driver mutations and signaling pathways that are essential for growth and survival of malignant cells. Since many of these signaling pathways can be targeted by small-molecule inhibitors, the therapy for DLBCL is currently undergoing a paradigm shift away from conventional chemotherapy and toward targeted agents that capitalize on an improved biologic understanding of the subsets with the highest risk of treatment failure. Participation in wellconducted and rationally designed clinical trials will be essential to realize the potential of these targeted agents and realize the goal of improving overall outcomes in the most common B cell lymphoma in the world.© 2012 The Japanese Society of Hematology (outside the USA).