Distinct Genetically Determined Origins of Myd88/BCL2-Driven Aggressive Lymphoma Rationalize Targeted Therapeutic Intervention Strategies

Genomic profiling revealed the identity of at least 5 subtypes of diffuse large B-cell lymphoma (DLBCL), including the MCD/C5 cluster characterized by aberrations in MYD88, BCL2, PRDM1, and/or SPIB. We generated mouse models harboring B cell–specific Prdm1 or Spib aberrations on the background of oncogenic Myd88 and Bcl2 lesions. We deployed whole-exome sequencing, transcriptome, flow-cytometry, and mass cytometry analyses to demonstrate that Prdm1- or Spib-altered lymphomas display molecular features consistent with prememory B cells and light-zone B cells, whereas lymphomas lacking these alterations were enriched for late light-zone and plasmablast-associated gene sets. Consistent with the phenotypic evidence for increased B cell receptor signaling activity in Prdm1-altered lymphomas, we demonstrate that combined BTK/BCL2 inhibition displays therapeutic activity in mice and in five of six relapsed/refractory DLBCL patients. Moreover, Prdm1-altered lymphomas were immunogenic upon transplantation into immuno-competent hosts, displayed an actionable PD-L1 surface expression, and were sensitive to antimurine-CD19-CAR-T cell therapy, in vivo. SIGNIFICANCE: Relapsed/refractory DLBCL remains a major medical challenge, and most of these patients succumb to their disease. Here, we generated mouse models, faithfully recapitulating the biology of MYD88-driven human DLBCL. These models revealed robust preclinical activity of combined BTK/BCL2 inhibition. We confirmed activity of this regimen in pretreated non–GCB-DLBCL patients. See related commentary by Leveille et al., p. 8. This article is highlighted in the In This Issue feature, p. 1