title: Molecular subtyping of diffuse large B-cell lymphoma: update on biology, diagnosis and emerging platforms for practising pathologists.
abstract: Molecular classification of diffuse large B-cell lymphoma (DLBCL) is critical. Numerous methodologies have demonstrated that DLBCL is biologically heterogeneous despite morphological similarities. This underlies the disparate outcomes of treatment response or failure in this common non-Hodgkin lymphoma. This review will summarise historical approaches to lymphoma classifications, current diagnosis of DLBCL, molecular techniques that have primarily been used in the research setting to distinguish and subclassify DLBCL, evaluate contemporary diagnostic methodologies that seek to translate lymphoma biology into clinical practice, and introduce novel diagnostic platforms that may overcome current issues. The review concludes with an overview of key molecular lesions currently identified in DLBCL, all of which are potential targets for drug treatments that may improve survival and cure.
authors.affiliation: Northern Blood Research Centre, Kolling Institute of Medical Research, University of Sydney, Sydney, NSW, Australia. Electronic address: grace.k.gifford@gmail.com.
authors.forename: Grace K
authors.initials: GK
authors.lastname: Gifford
authors.affiliation: Cancer Diagnosis and Pathology Group, Kolling Institute of Medical Research, University of Sydney, Sydney, NSW, Australia; Department of Anatomical Pathology, Royal North Shore Hospital, St Leonards, Sydney, NSW, Australia.
authors.forename: Anthony J
authors.initials: AJ
authors.lastname: Gill
authors.affiliation: Northern Blood Research Centre, Kolling Institute of Medical Research, University of Sydney, Sydney, NSW, Australia; Department of Haematology and Transfusion Medicine, Royal North Shore Hospital, St Leonards, Sydney, NSW, Australia.
authors.forename: William S
authors.initials: WS
authors.lastname: Stevenson
mesh_terms: D006801:Humans; D016403:Lymphoma, Large B-Cell, Diffuse / Q000145:classification* / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000235:genetics; D025202:Molecular Diagnostic Techniques; D000072142:Pathologists
keywords: Diffuse large B-cell lymphoma; cell-of-origin assignment; molecular biology; molecular profiling and subtyping; novel diagnostic testing; subclassification