A20 Mutation Is Not a Prognostic Marker for Activated B-Cell-Like Diffuse Large B-Cell Lymphoma

Constitutive activation of nuclear factor κB (NF-κB) is a hallmark of activated B-cell-like diffuse large B-cell lymphoma (ABC-DLBCL). Mutations in the A20 gene activate NF-κB, but the prognostic value of A20 mutations in ABC-DLBLC is unclear.

To investigate the prognostic value of A20 mutation in ABC-DLBCL patients.

The somatic mutation of A20 was investigated in 68 de novo ABC-DLBCLs by PCR/sequencing. The Kaplan-Meier method was used to estimate median overall survival (OS) and progression-free survival (PFS).

The A20 mutation rate in ABC-DLBCL patients was 29.4%. Complete remission rates were 35% and 45.8% in patients with and without A20 mutations, respectively (P = 0.410). In patients with and without A20 mutations, the median OS was 24.0 and 30.6 months, respectively (P = 0.58), and the median PFS was 15 and 17.4 months, respectively (P = 0.52). None of the differences between the patient groups were significant.

Our findings suggested that the A20 mutation is a frequent event in ABC-DLBCLs. However, there was no significant difference in PFS and OS in patients with or without A20 mutations. Further study is required to completely exclude A20 somatic mutation as a prognostic marker in the ABC subtype of DLBLC.