Journal of Clinical & Experimental Pathology
Open Access

Abstract

Double-hit lymphoma (DHL) has been defined by 2008 WHO as a B-cell lymphoma with MYC/8q24 rearrangement in combination with a translocation involving another gene such as BCL2 or BCL6. The most common form of DHL has translocations involving MYC and BCL2, also known as MYC/BCL2 DHL. In the past few years, numerous case series of MYC/BCL2 DHL have been reported in the literature. Most cases of MYC/BCL2 DHL morphologically resemble diffuse large B-cell lymphoma (DLBCL) or B-cell lymphoma, unclassifiable with features intermediate between DLBCL and Burkitt lymphoma. These tumors have a germinal center B-cell immunophenotype but an aggressive clinical course characterized by a high proliferation rate, advanced-stage disease, extranodal involvement, high International Prognostic Index score and high serum lactate dehydrogenase levels. All tumors have a complex karyotype. Despite a variety of therapeutic approaches that have been used to date, patients with DHL have a poor prognosis. Here we will discuss the clinicopathologic, immunophenotypic, cytogenetic and prognostic features of MYC/BCL2 DHL and some remaining issues.

Biography

Shaoying Li has received her MD from Beijing Medical University. She is currently an Assistant Professor in the Department of Hematopathology at the University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center. She is board certified by the American Board of Pathology in Anatomic Pathology, Clinical Pathology and Hematology. In addition to clinical responsibilities on lymphoma, leukemia and flow cytometry services, she has been actively participating in multiple research projects in lymphoma and leukemia, which has led to over 30 research papers and multiple book chapters. She also serves as a Member of Editorial Boards and ad hoc Reviewer for multiple journals. Her major research interests include molecular cytogenetic risk stratification of DLBCL with a focus on double hit lymphoma and MYC/BCL2 double expresser lymphoma, clinicopathologic and molecular study of mantle cell lymphoma and molecular genetics aberrations in lymphoma and leukemia.

Email: SLi6@mdanderson.org