Decoding CD79B Expression Gradient in Diffuse Large B-Cell Lymphoma: Implications for Germinal Center B-Cell Differentiation and Therapeutic Targeting

Highlight

This study establishes a novel gradient of CD79B expression in diffuse large B-cell lymphoma (DLBCL) corresponding to cell-of-origin (COO) subtypes and germinal center (GC) B-cell maturation stages. It shows that CD79B expression is lowest in activated B-cell-like (ABC) DLBCL, higher in germinal center B-cell-like (GCB) DLBCL, and highest in dark-zone signature-positive (DZsigpos) cases. Single-cell proteomic and transcriptomic analyses reveal that CD79B expression progressively decreases as GC B-cells differentiate, elucidating the biological underpinning of these clinical observations and bearing implications for CD79B-targeted therapies such as polatuzumab-vedotin.

Study Background