A Prognostic Gene Signature for Predicting Survival Outcome in Diffuse Large B-Cell Lymphoma

Abstract Diffuse large B-cell lymphoma (DLBCL) is an heterogenous cancer that can have profound differences in survival outcomes. Molecular profiling has allowed for the identification of DLBCL subclasses, and together with clinical prognostic factors, such as the international prognostic index, have improved clinical care and survival. Despite these advances, a gene signature that is associated with overall survival (OS) and is reproducible across different DLBCL studies could better classify risk and predict OS. Here, we have identified genes that are associated with OS in DLBCL using data from the Lymphoma/Leukemia Molecular Profiling Project and developed a prognostic gene signature consisting of 33 genes that — when transformed into a risk score — can stratify individuals into high or low risk groups that have significantly different OS. The prognostic gene signature was associated with OS in multiple clinical studies, and when used in conjunction with DLBCL molecular subtype and IPI score, significantly predicted OS. Thus, we identified a potential prognostic gene signature that can discriminate high-risk from low-risk DLBCL patients.