DNA methylation in lymphoma: an opportunity?

Epigenetic mechanisms, including DNA methylation, play an important role in not only the development and maturation of normal cells, but also the development and progression of malignant cells. In this edition of Blood, Arribas et al show that DNA methylation profiling identifies 2 subtypes of splenic marginal zone lymphoma with different clinical and genetic features. These findings provide an opportunity to better understand the biology of marginal zone lymphoma and optimize therapy by using demethylating agents to reverse the high-methylation phenotype and thereby target malignant B cells.