What is PMBL lymphoma?

Primary mediastinal B-cell lymphoma (PMBL) is a cancer of mature B-lymphocytes. It is a form of non-Hodgkin lymphoma, a type of cancer that originates in cells of the immune system, called lymphocytes.

What is B cell Immunophenotype?

B lymphocytes or B cells are a subset of adaptive immune cells that start their maturation in the fetal liver and postnatal bone marrow. B cells are known for their ability to support humoral immunity through the production of antibodies, but they carry other key functions such as phagocytosis and antigen presentation.

What is GCB DLBCL?

There are two major biologically distinct molecular subtypes of DLBCL: germinal center B-cell (GCB) and activated B-cell (ABC). ABC DLBCL is associated with substantially worse outcomes when treated with standard chemoimmunotherapy.

Is primary mediastinal B-cell lymphoma curable?

Dunleavy: The prognosis for PMBCL is very good. Most patients are cured of their disease. One of the challenges is that standard treatments in the past have included chemotherapy followed by mediastinal radiation.

What is bcl2 and bcl6?

Bcl-2 and Bcl-6 are two markers linked to germinal center B cells. The Bcl-2 gene, located at chromosome 18q21, encodes for a 25kd protein located mainly in the mitochondrial membrane. This Bcl-2 protein is an anti-apoptosis factor that is important in normal B-cell development and differentiation.

How is DLBCL diagnosed?

The diagnosis of DLBCL is confirmed by removing part or all of an enlarged lymph node with a biopsy. This procedure may be performed with local anesthesia if the involved tissue is relatively close to the skin’s surface. If the node is deeper, general anesthesia is required.

How do you treat DLBCL?

Diffuse large B-cell lymphoma (DLBCL) tends to grow quickly. Most often, the treatment is chemotherapy (chemo), usually with a regimen of 4 drugs known as CHOP (cyclophosphamide, doxorubicin, vincristine, and prednisone), plus the monoclonal antibody rituximab (Rituxan).