Overview
Aggressive B-cell non-Hodgkin lymphoma (also called aggressive B-cell NHL) is a group of fast-growing cancers that start in B-cells, which are white blood cells that normally help your body fight infections. These cancers develop in the lymphatic system — a network of tissues and vessels that is part of your immune system — but can spread quickly to other parts of the body, including the bone marrow, liver, and brain. The most common type in this group is Diffuse Large B-Cell Lymphoma (DLBCL), but the group also includes Burkitt lymphoma, high-grade B-cell lymphoma, and primary mediastinal large B-cell lymphoma, among others. Because these lymphomas grow quickly, symptoms often appear suddenly and can feel alarming. Common signs include swollen lymph nodes, unexplained weight loss, drenching night sweats, and fever. Without treatment, aggressive B-cell lymphomas can be life-threatening within weeks to months. However, the good news is that many people respond well to treatment, and some can be cured. Treatment usually involves chemotherapy combinations, often with a targeted antibody drug called rituximab (Rituxan). The standard first-line regimen is called R-CHOP. For some patients, stem cell transplant or newer therapies like CAR-T cell therapy (such as axicabtagene ciloleucel or tisagenlecleucel) may be options. Research is ongoing, and new treatments are being approved regularly, giving patients more hope than ever before.
Also known as:
Key symptoms:
Swollen lymph nodes in the neck, armpits, or groin that are painlessUnexplained weight lossDrenching night sweatsFever without a clear infectionExtreme tiredness or fatigueShortness of breath or chest tightnessAbdominal swelling or painFeeling full quickly when eatingItchy skinBone painConfusion or neurological symptoms if the brain is involvedFrequent infections due to a weakened immune system
Sporadic
Usually appears on its own, not inherited from a parent
Variable
Can begin at different ages, from infancy through adulthood
FDA & Trial Timeline
10 eventsBeijing Kangchuanglian Biopharmaceutical Technology Research Co., Ltd — PHASE1, PHASE2
Shanghai EpimAb Biotherapeutics Co., Ltd. — PHASE1, PHASE2
AvenCell Therapeutics, Inc.
Peking University People's Hospital — EARLY_PHASE1
University of Washington — PHASE2
Universität Münster — PHASE2
National Cancer Institute (NCI) — PHASE2
Navy General Hospital, Beijing — PHASE2
Beijing GoBroad Hospital
Children's Cancer Group, China — PHASE2, PHASE3
Data sourced from FDA regulatory filings and ClinicalTrials.gov. Updated periodically.
Treatments
1 availableZevalin
indicated for the treatment of adult patients with relapsed or refractory, low-grade or follicular B-cell non-Hodgkin's lymphoma (NHL)
Treatment Centers
8 centersBaylor College of Medicine Rare Disease Center ↗
Baylor College of Medicine
📍 Houston, TX
🏥 NORDStanford Medicine Rare Disease Center ↗
Stanford Medicine
📍 Stanford, CA
🔬 UDNNIH Clinical Center Undiagnosed Diseases Program ↗
National Institutes of Health
📍 Bethesda, MD
🔬 UDNUCLA UDN Clinical Site ↗
UCLA Health
📍 Los Angeles, CA
🔬 UDNBaylor College of Medicine UDN Clinical Site ↗
Baylor College of Medicine
📍 Houston, TX
🔬 UDNHarvard/MGH UDN Clinical Site ↗
Massachusetts General Hospital
📍 Boston, MA
🏥 NORDMayo Clinic Center for Individualized Medicine ↗
Mayo Clinic
📍 Rochester, MN
👤 Mayo Clinic Center for Individualized Medicine
🏥 NORDUCLA Rare Disease Day Program ↗
UCLA Health
📍 Los Angeles, CA
Financial Resources
1 resourcesTravel Grants
No travel grants are currently matched to Aggressive B-cell non-Hodgkin lymphoma.
Community
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Start the conversation →Latest news about Aggressive B-cell non-Hodgkin lymphoma
Disease timeline:
New recruiting trial: Mosunetuzumab Consolidation Therapy After autoSCT in r/r Aggressive B Cell Lymphoma
A new clinical trial is recruiting patients for Aggressive B-cell non-Hodgkin lymphoma
New recruiting trial: Epcoritamab Compared to Observation for Treating B-cell Lymphoma Patients Not in Complete Remission After CD19-directed CAR-T Therapy
A new clinical trial is recruiting patients for Aggressive B-cell non-Hodgkin lymphoma
New recruiting trial: Bispecific Antibody-Based Salvage Therapy Followed by CAR-T ± ASCT in R/R Aggressive B-Cell Lymphoma
A new clinical trial is recruiting patients for Aggressive B-cell non-Hodgkin lymphoma
New recruiting trial: Early Assessment of Lymphoma Treatment Response Using Phased Variant Analysis With Next-Generation Sequencing
A new clinical trial is recruiting patients for Aggressive B-cell non-Hodgkin lymphoma
New recruiting trial: Study of Safety and Efficacy of Iberdomide (CC-220) and CC-99282 Combined With R-CHOP to Treat Lymphoma
A new clinical trial is recruiting patients for Aggressive B-cell non-Hodgkin lymphoma
New recruiting trial: Acalabrutinib in Combination With R-miniCHOP in Older Adults With Untreated Diffuse Large B-Cell Lymphoma
A new clinical trial is recruiting patients for Aggressive B-cell non-Hodgkin lymphoma
New recruiting trial: Chemotherapy With Rituximab for Aggressive B-NHL in Children and Adolescents
A new clinical trial is recruiting patients for Aggressive B-cell non-Hodgkin lymphoma
New recruiting trial: A Trial to Study if REGN5837 in Combination With Odronextamab is Safe for Adult Participants With Aggressive B-cell Non-Hodgkin Lymphomas
A new clinical trial is recruiting patients for Aggressive B-cell non-Hodgkin lymphoma
New recruiting trial: Epcoritamab Plus Ibrutinib for the Treatment of Relapsed or Refractory Aggressive B-Cell Non-Hodgkin Lymphoma
A new clinical trial is recruiting patients for Aggressive B-cell non-Hodgkin lymphoma
New recruiting trial: Epcoritamab With Dose Adjusted Etoposide, Cyclophosphamide, Vincristine, Doxorubicin, Prednisone and Rituximab (EPOCH-R) for the Treatment of Aggressive B-Cell Non-Hodgkin Lymphoma
A new clinical trial is recruiting patients for Aggressive B-cell non-Hodgkin lymphoma
Caregiver Resources
NORD Caregiver Resources
Support, advocacy, and financial assistance for caregivers of rare disease patients.
Mental Health Support
Rare disease caregiving can be isolating. Connect with counseling and peer support.
Family & Caregiver Grants
Financial assistance programs specifically for caregivers of rare disease patients.
Social Security Disability
Learn how rare disease patients may qualify for SSDI/SSI benefits.
Questions for your doctor
Bring these to your next appointment
- Q1.What exact subtype of aggressive B-cell lymphoma do I have, and does my tumor have MYC, BCL2, or BCL6 changes?,What stage is my lymphoma, and has it spread to my bone marrow or brain?,What treatment do you recommend for me, and why is it the best option for my specific case?,Am I eligible for any clinical trials that might give me access to newer treatments?,What side effects should I watch for at home, and when should I go to the emergency room?,What is the goal of treatment — cure, long-term remission, or symptom control?,If my cancer comes back, what options would be available to me, including CAR-T cell therapy?
Common questions about Aggressive B-cell non-Hodgkin lymphoma
What is Aggressive B-cell non-Hodgkin lymphoma?
Aggressive B-cell non-Hodgkin lymphoma (also called aggressive B-cell NHL) is a group of fast-growing cancers that start in B-cells, which are white blood cells that normally help your body fight infections. These cancers develop in the lymphatic system — a network of tissues and vessels that is part of your immune system — but can spread quickly to other parts of the body, including the bone marrow, liver, and brain. The most common type in this group is Diffuse Large B-Cell Lymphoma (DLBCL), but the group also includes Burkitt lymphoma, high-grade B-cell lymphoma, and primary mediastinal lar
How is Aggressive B-cell non-Hodgkin lymphoma inherited?
Aggressive B-cell non-Hodgkin lymphoma follows a sporadic inheritance pattern. Genetic counseling can help families understand recurrence risk and testing options.
Are there clinical trials for Aggressive B-cell non-Hodgkin lymphoma?
Yes — 20 recruiting clinical trials are currently listed for Aggressive B-cell non-Hodgkin lymphoma on UniteRare. See the clinical trials section on this page for phase, sponsor, and site details sourced from ClinicalTrials.gov.
Which specialists treat Aggressive B-cell non-Hodgkin lymphoma?
25 specialists and care centers treating Aggressive B-cell non-Hodgkin lymphoma are listed on UniteRare, sourced from ClinicalTrials.gov principal investigators, published research, and the NPPES NPI registry.