Classification of diffuse large B-cell lymphoma by immunohistochemistry demonstrates that elderly patients are more common in the non-GC subgroup and younger patients in the GC subgroup (Reply)

Using immunohistochemistry and the Hans Algorithm, Thunberg and colleagues1 reported that elderly patients with diffuse large B-cell lymphoma (DLBCL) are more common in the non-GC subgroup compared to younger patients. In this study, a rate of 67% of non-GCB DLBCL was observed after 80 years, similar to the rate reported in our own series. Finally, three independent series, using distinct technological approaches (immunohistochemistry, gene expression profiling with low or high throughput technologies) demonstrated a clear skewing distribution of the two main molecular subtypes during aging.1–3 Before designing future therapeutic strategies based on the use of drugs proved to be more efficient in the ABC subtype, the next challenge is to determine whether this molecular subclassification maintains clinical and prognostic relevance in a geriatric setting in which several additional specific prognostic factors, including geriatric scales, have been identified.4