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World J Clin Oncol. Sep 24, 2026; 17(9): 125602
Published online Sep 24, 2026. doi: 10.5306/wjco.125602
Published online Sep 24, 2026. doi: 10.5306/wjco.125602
Precision medicine in diffuse large B-cell lymphoma: Integrating molecular biomarkers, targeted therapies, and prognostic tools
Bing-Ling Guo, Yao Liu, Department of Hematologic Oncology, Chongqing University Cancer Hospital, Chongqing 400030, China
Hai-Ke Lei, Chongqing Cancer Multi-omics Big Data Application Engineering Research Center, Chongqing University Cancer Hospital, Chongqing 400030, China
Co-corresponding authors: Hai-Ke Lei and Yao Liu.
Author contributions: Guo BL and Lei HK conceptualized and designed the overall framework of this review; Guo BL performed the comprehensive literature search and data extraction, and wrote the original draft of the manuscript; Lei HK and Liu Y critically revised the manuscript for important intellectual content, with each providing distinct and complementary expertise. Lei HK was responsible for the methodological rigor of the review, including the design of the literature search strategy, the establishment of inclusion/exclusion criteria for reference selection, and the structuring of the review's conceptual framework. Lei HK also supervised the integration of molecular subtyping and prognostic model sections, ensuring that the discussion of genetic classification systems (including COO, LymphGen, and DLBClass) and their clinical applications was accurately presented. Lei HK further contributed to the critical revision of the ctDNA and liquid biopsy sections, with a particular emphasis on the clinical utility and limitations of ctDNA monitoring in DLBCL. Liu Y provided essential clinical expertise and perspective, particularly in the sections on therapeutic strategies including BTK inhibitors, BCL-2 inhibitors, antibody-drug conjugates, bispecific antibodies, and CAR-T cell therapy. Liu Y was instrumental in validating the accuracy and clinical relevance of treatment recommendations, ensuring that the discussion of frontline and relapsed/refractory settings reflected current clinical practice. Liu Y also contributed significantly to the HIV-associated DLBCL section and the conceptual framework for clinical integration, drawing on extensive clinical experience in managing DLBCL patients. Both Lei HK and Liu Y have played crucial and indispensable roles in the project, with Lei HK providing methodological and scientific rigor, and Liu Y providing clinical contextualization and therapeutic expertise. Their complementary contributions were essential for bridging the gap between molecular biology and clinical practice, a central theme of this review. Both co-corresponding authors supervised the project, administered the study, and jointly take responsibility for the overall scientific integrity and accuracy of the manuscript; and all authors have read and approved the final manuscript and agree to be accountable for all aspects of the work.
AI contribution statement: The authors used DeepSeek AI tools solely for language refinement, grammar correction, and formatting organization during the preparation of this manuscript. The authors carefully reviewed and verified all AI-assisted outputs and take full responsibility for the scientific content of the manuscript. AI tools were not used to generate original scientific data, perform independent scientific analyses, or draw scientific conclusions. AI tools are not listed as authors or co-authors.
Conflict-of-interest statement: All authors declare that they have no conflict of interest to disclose.
Corresponding author: Yao Liu, MD, PhD, Department of Hematologic Oncology, Chongqing University Cancer Hospital, No. 181 Hanyu Road, Chongqing 400030, China.
Received: July 28, 2026
Revised: August 26, 2026
Accepted: September 20, 2026
Published online: September 24, 2026
Processing time: 74 Days and 19.2 Hours
Revised: August 26, 2026
Accepted: September 20, 2026
Published online: September 24, 2026
Processing time: 74 Days and 19.2 Hours
Core Tip
Core Tip: Diffuse large B-cell lymphoma (DLBCL) is a biologically heterogeneous disease requiring precision medicine approaches beyond standard immunochemotherapy with rituximab, cyclophosphamide, doxorubicin, vincristine, and pre