Researchers from the Translational Hematopathology Research Group at the Marqués de Valdecilla Research Institute (IDIVAL) have demonstrated the value of a genetic alteration in the molecular classification of diffuse large B-cell lymphoma (DLBCL), the most common type of non-Hodgkin lymphoma in adults.
The findings, published in Virchows Archiv, show that the MYD88L265P mutation is strongly associated with a specific molecular subtype of this tumour, known as the activated B-cell (ABC) subtype, which is typically characterised by a more aggressive clinical course and a higher tendency to spread to organs outside the lymph nodes, including the central nervous system.
The study demonstrates the usefulness of a simple and cost-effective molecular test to detect this mutation, enabling a more accurate classification of lymphoma cases. This information is particularly relevant because, in recent years, new targeted therapies specifically developed for this lymphoma subtype have shown better outcomes than conventional treatment in Phase III clinical trials.
According to the researchers, identifying the MYD88L265P mutation may provide valuable information to guide therapeutic decision-making and support the advancement of more personalised medicine for patients with this disease.
Given its clinical relevance, testing for this mutation has already been incorporated into the routine workflow of the Molecular Diagnostics Laboratory within the Department of Pathology, where it is performed on samples from patients receiving standard clinical care.
