A large review of nearly 10,000 patients with diffuse large B-cell lymphoma found that those with double-expressor lymphoma (DEL) had worse outcomes. Patients with DEL had about an 80% higher chance of their cancer progressing and a 90% higher chance of dying compared to other patients.
The study looked at many different treatments. It found that two newer drug combinations, zanubrutinib plus R-CHOP and venetoclax plus R-CHOP, showed the best results for patients with DEL. The zanubrutinib combination also had fewer blood-related side effects than other new treatments.
Other factors that made survival worse for DEL patients included being older, having a high score on a risk index, and having certain symptoms. The review could not pinpoint the exact best treatment or risk level, so more research is needed.
Doctors should know that double-expressor lymphoma is a more aggressive form of this cancer. The new drug combinations look helpful but must be tested in future studies to confirm they work well.