International Collaborations
Important for Lymphoma Research
Dr. Louis Staudt, Deputy Branch Chief of the Molecular Biology of Lymphoid Malignancies Section at NCI, is a
co-leader in a ground-breaking international research collaboration. The Lymphoma/Leukemia Molecular
Profiling Project (LLMPP) is a partnership of 31 scientists from institutions in the United States
as well as other countries including Spain, Canada, Norway, Netherlands, and Germany. This
international group is using molecular profiling to distinguish between Burkitt's Lymphoma and
Diffuse Large B-cell Lymphoma, two types of cancer that originate in lymphocytes (a type of white
blood cell). The tumor cells have very similar appearances when viewed under a microscope, which has
made accurate diagnosis of these types of lymphoma difficult.
International collaboration has been very important in this particular project since Burkitt's lymphoma cases are rare. Utilizing international resources, including samples from other countries, has been beneficial to the success of the project as it has allowed for a more rapid sample collection than can be done in the U.S. alone.
The LLMPP has addressed the complexity of these two types of lymphoma cancers by gathering samples and using molecular profiling (analyzing many genes simultaneously) to determine whether the patient has Burkitt's Lymphoma or Diffuse Large B-cell Lymphoma. The expectation is that once a patient is given an accurate diagnosis, the most appropriate treatment choices can be made. In a recent article, Dr. Staudt stated, "The value of molecular profiling to accurately diagnosis Burkitt's lymphoma versus DLBCL will have a major impact on patients because the treatment for these two lymphomas is very different," …"If Burkitt's patients are treated with intensive therapy, there is roughly an 80-percent survival rate. However, if they are misdiagnosed with DLBCL, and treated with lower intensity chemotherapy, the survival rate is reversed to 20 percent or even less."1
The team has been successful in demonstrating that gene expression profiling is an accurate, quantitative method to distinguish Burkitt Lymphoma from Diffuse Large B-cell Lymphoma, a critical diagnostic decision that alters treatment choice. In this study, the diagnostic test based on molecular profiling was 100% accurate in identifying cases of Burkitt's lymphoma. Further information on the study can be found in the New England Journal of Medicine, " Molecular Diagnosis of Burkitt's Lymphoma" 2006; 354:2431-42.
For additional information on NCI's lymphoma research, you may view "Making Sense of Lymphoma" CCR Connections, Volume 1, No. 2, 20081.
