New Highly-Sensitive Test to Help More Easily Diagnose B-Cell Lymphoma

Image: The new test helps differentiate a B-cell cancer from a normal, reactive immune response (Photo courtesy of Roche)

B-cell lymphoma, a cancer primarily originating in the lymphatic system, represents about 85% of non-Hodgkin lymphoma (NHL) diagnoses. NHL ranks as the tenth most prevalent cancer globally, claiming over 250,000 lives annually. In its early stages, NHL can manifest with symptoms such as swollen lymph nodes, fever, fatigue, loss of appetite, or a red rash. These symptoms, however, can mimic the body’s typical response to infections, making a precise diagnosis crucial. symptoms of lymphoma can appear similar to the body’s normal reactive response to an infection. Now, a first-of-its-kind assay can offer diagnostic certainty for patients with suspected B-cell lymphoma.

Roche (Basel, Switzerland) has introduced the first clinically approved, highly sensitive in-situ hybridization (ISH) test, the VENTANA Kappa and Lambda Dual ISH mRNA Probe Cocktail assay, available in regions accepting the CE Mark. This assay stands out as the first clinically approved ISH test designed to detect the entire range of B-cell lymphoma subtypes. It assists pathologists in distinguishing between a B-cell malignancy and a normal, reactive condition stemming from an infection.

This test’s enhanced sensitivity allows for the evaluation of over 60 different B-cell lymphoma subtypes and plasma cell neoplasms using just a single tissue slide. It is capable of analyzing small biopsies and formalin-fixed tissues, thus eliminating the necessity for fresh tissue samples, which might be unavailable, particularly when lymphoma was not initially suspected. The characteristics of this test not only conserve tissue but also potentially reduce the need for additional biopsies, simplify the diagnostic process for pathologists, and expedite both diagnosis and treatment access for patients.