Burkitt Lymphoma in Adults: Genomic Landscape and Treatment Challenges
This review covers the clinical, pathologic, and genomic features of Burkitt lymphoma in adults, highlighting how next-generation sequencing has characterised its mutational landscape, though these findings have not yet influenced treatment. Most patients are cured with intensive combination chemotherapy, but optimal regimens remain undefined due to a lack of randomised trials. Unmet needs persist for elderly patients, those with CNS involvement, and relapsed disease.
The original study
The treatment of Burkitt lymphoma in adults.
- Authors
- Crombie J, LaCasce A
- Journal
- Blood
- Type
- Journal Article, Review
- PMID
- 33171490
Original abstract
Burkitt lymphoma (BL) is a highly aggressive, B-cell, non-Hodgkin lymphoma categorized into endemic, sporadic, and immunodeficiency-associated subtypes. BL has distinct pathologic and clinical features, characterized by rapidly progressive tumors with high rates of extranodal involvement. Next-generation-sequencing analyses have further characterized the genomic landscape of BL and our understanding of disease pathogenesis, although these findings have yet to influence treatment. Although most patients are cured with intensive combination chemotherapy, given the paucity of randomized trials, optimal therapy has not been defined. Furthermore, treatment of elderly patients, patients with central nervous system involvement, or those with relapsed disease remains an unmet need. In this review, we highlight the clinical, pathologic, and genomic features, as well as standard and emerging treatment options for adult patients with BL.