B-Cell Lymphomas

Classical Hodgkin Lymphoma

Benedetta Donati, Cristian Ascione Federica Torricelli

Classical Hodgkin Lymphoma (cHL) is a non-linear, open and intrinsically dynamic system of interconnected and mutually dependent components. Once considered an incurable disease, cHL is now identified as one of the most manageable human cancer. Achieving the best trade-off between control of disease and reduced chances of late events is currently identified as the main challenge in cHL. Our activity in this area aims to identify novel prognostic tools to improve personalization and effectiveness of therapies for this disease.

An integrated radiogenomic approach to anticipate cHL progression

Considered as a proxy of chemorefractoriness, FDG-PET in cHLs is currently used for the definition of response-adapted therapy but its prognostic impact is limited by the lack of accurate criteria. In this project we aim to use a radiogenomic approach, integrating several imaging parameters provided by FDG-PET scan with transcriptomic profiling, in a large cohort of cHL patients, with the idea of developing and validating an integrated prognostic model to identify upfront patients with aggressive disease.

Following temporal evolution of cHLs by deep genetic profiling in liquid biopsy

Temporal evolution of progressive lesions is accompanied by the acquisition or expansion of advantageous molecular features, which are difficult to measure due to the limited access to biological material at the time of progression. Liquid biopsy ensure non-invasive, highly sensitive and comprehensive measurement of genetic features during progression. We are developing a NGS liquid biopsy analysis to characterize genetic mutations profiles of cHL at progression and to define the accuracy of this approach to anticipate disease progression.

Follicular Lymphoma

Benedetta Donati, Cristian Ascione, Federica Torricelli, Veronica Manicardi

Follicular lymphoma (FL) is the most frequent among indolent lymphomas. Although the disease is associated with excellent outcomes, it is characterized by a relapsing and remitting clinical course and high-grade transformation to aggressive lymphoma occurs in around 3% of the patients. Thus, identifying prognostic markers able to monitor disease evolution and to individuate patients with high risk of progression remains an urgent clinical need.

Evaluation of the role of liquid biopsy in the molecular characterization of patients affected by follicular lymphoma

The main scientific evidence relating to the use of liquid biopsy in lymphoproliferative diseases derives from studies conducted in aggressive B lymphomas. The use of this approach in follicular lymphomas could have diagnostic and prognostic value and could represent a valuable tool for monitoring minimal residual disease.

The main outcome of this study is to verify that the analysis of circulating free DNA by liquid biopsy in patients with follicular lymphoma is able to confirm the presence of the disease. The study aims to determine the quantity and quality of circulating free DNA present in plasma and then to define the profile of genetic mutations specific of follicular lymphoma. We will evaluate the possibility to obtain additional information about the features of the neoplasm through liquid biopsy, comparing the molecular characteristics identified in the plasma with those present in the lymph node tissue.