The search for novel immunophenotypic markers in aggressive B-cell lymphoma

Introduction Diffuse large B-cell lymphoma (DLBCL), the most common adult non-Hodgkin lymphoma, is well recognized as a heterogeneous disease. Although clinical indicators such as the International Prognostic Index (IPI) are used to define prognostic subgroups of DLBCL, less than half of the patients with this disease are cured by currently available therapy. At present, a consensus approach for predicting DLBCL prognosis and riskadapted management of this lymphoma has not been achieved. Therefore, identification and characterization of new markers that distinguish different subtypes of DLBCL and better stratify patients into risk groups is highly desirable.