For years, researchers have been looking for the right biomarkers to make the most accurate predictions of diffuse large B cell lymphoma survival rates among patients.
One method for determining diffuse large B cell lymphoma survival in patientsis by using what is known as the Revised International Prognostic Index. The relative accuracy of this index has been supported by several subsequent studies. The R-IPI can be more closely examined at this page.
Seeking prognostic indicators of value has not been easy for researchers, but according to the resuls of a paper published in 2009, at least one marker, found by way of pathologic techniques known as immunohistochemistry (IHC) and fluorescence in situ hybridization (FISH).
What they determined was that no single, individual protein marker found on cell surfaces (identified with CD placed before the number, such as "CD20") could be associated with diffuse large B cell lymphoma survival, and nor could two common chromosomal translocations, BCL-2 or c-MYC. However, the presence of the chromosomal translocation BCL-6 in fact does correlate with a poorer prognosis and poorer 5 year diffuse large B cell lymphoma survival rates than in patients with no BLC-6 translocation.
Sehn LH et al. The revised International Prognostic Index (R-IPI) is a better predictor of outcome than the standard IPI for patients with diffuse large B-cell lymphoma treated with R-CHOP. Blood. 2007 Mar 1;109(5):1857-61.
Copie-Bergman C et al. Index predicts survival in patients with diffuse large B-cell lymphoma treated with R-CHOP: A GELA study. . J Clin Oncol 2009 Sep 28.