Cancer Biomarkers V: Update on B-Cell Lymphoma Biomarkers.

Abstract

Context: Pathologists play an increasingly critical role in optimizing testing on scant specimens to ensure patients not only receive a correct and timely diagnosis, but also that the appropriate evaluation of biologic markers, or "biomarkers," is performed to inform prognosis and best guide therapeutic options. Advances in biomarkers have been particularly impactful in the field of hematopathology, where the identification of cytogenetic abnormalities, specific mutations, morphologic features, and/or protein expression may help guide clinical decision-making, including type and intensity of therapy and eligibility for clinical trials.

Objective: To stay up to date with advances in relevant biomarkers for diagnosis, prognosis, and therapy. The Cancer Biomarkers Conference (CBC) has been developed as a highly focused meeting to provide key biomarker updates across medical fields with the inclusion of industry partners, to reach a broader audience, and cross-pollinate emerging areas for biomarker application and future discovery. The objective of this article is to raise awareness of the potential utility of such meetings for improving patient care and facilitating collaboration.

Data sources: Recently released guidelines related to B-cell lymphoma diagnosis from the World Health Organization and International Consensus Classification and associated manuscripts are reviewed. Material presented at the CBC conference is summarized.

Conclusions: This article covers highlights of the updates presented on B-cell lymphoma biomarkers at the most recent Cancer Biomarkers Conference in Flowood, Mississippi, in September 2022.