BCL2 translocation in high grade B cell lymphoma (NOS, DH/TH) is associated with reduced progression free survival

High Grade B Cell Lymphoma, NOS, and High Grade B Cell Lymphoma with Dual Hit or Triple Hit have been recently recategorized in the 2016 revision of the WHO classification of lymphoid neoplasms. In this study we have characterized the genetic, histopathological, and clinical features of a series of this type of lymphoid neoplasia (17 HGBCL NOS and 53 HGBCL DH/TH). HGBCL NOS showed better response to first line treatment than HGBCL with DH/TH but no significant differences in PFS or OS were found between the two categories. Survival analysis in the whole cohort of cases found that only the presence of BCL2 translocation was significantly associated with PFS. Other clinical features such as IPI, LDH or stage were equivalent in both categories. Furthermore, both high grade and DLBCL morphological patterns showed equivalent PFS and OS in this set of High grade BCL NOS/DH/TH.

Automated summary

High Grade B Cell Lymphoma, NOS and High Grade B Cell Lymphoma with Dual Hit or Triple Hit were recently reclassified in the 2016 WHO classification. This study found that HGBCL NOS had better response to first line treatment compared to HGBCL with DH/TH, and only the presence of BCL2 translocation significantly affected PFS. Other clinical features were similar between the two categories, and both high grade and DLBCL morphological patterns showed equivalent PFS and OS.