ALK-positive large B-cell lymphoma

ALK-positive large B-cell lymphoma (also called ALK+ LBCL or ALK-positive diffuse large B-cell lymphoma) is a very rare type of non-Hodgkin lymphoma, which is a cancer of the immune system's B cells. In this disease, the cancer cells carry an abnormal activation of a protein called ALK (anaplastic lymphoma kinase), which is caused by specific genetic rearrangements within the tumor cells. This is not an inherited condition — the genetic changes happen only in the cancer cells during a person's lifetime. This lymphoma tends to affect younger adults, often men more than women. It usually presents as swollen lymph nodes, but it can also involve areas outside the lymph nodes such as the bones, soft tissues, spleen, or other organs. Patients may experience general symptoms like fevers, night sweats, unexplained weight loss, and fatigue — often called 'B symptoms.' The disease can behave aggressively, and many patients present at an advanced stage. Treatment typically involves combination chemotherapy, similar to regimens used for other aggressive large B-cell lymphomas. The most common first-line treatment is R-CHOP (rituximab, cyclophosphamide, doxorubicin, vincristine, and prednisone), although ALK+ LBCL cells often lack the CD20 protein that rituximab targets, so CHOP without rituximab or alternative regimens may be considered. ALK inhibitors such as crizotinib have shown promise in some cases. The prognosis is variable — some studies suggest outcomes may be somewhat worse than typical diffuse large B-cell lymphoma, while other reports indicate a more favorable course, particularly in younger patients.

Data sourced from FDA regulatory filings and ClinicalTrials.gov. Updated periodically.

Bring these to your next appointment

• Q1.What stage is my lymphoma, and what does that mean for my treatment plan?,Do my tumor cells express CD20, and does that affect which chemotherapy regimen is best for me?,Is an ALK inhibitor like crizotinib an option for my treatment?,Am I a candidate for stem cell transplantation if the first treatment doesn't work?,Are there any clinical trials available for ALK-positive large B-cell lymphoma?,What side effects should I expect from treatment, and how can they be managed?,What is the follow-up plan after treatment to check for relapse?

Common questions about ALK-positive large B-cell lymphoma

Related conditions

Other rare diseases commonly researched alongside ALK-positive large B-cell lymphoma.

• ALK-positive anaplastic large cell lymphoma→
• Plasmablastic lymphoma→
• Primary effusion lymphoma→
• Primary mediastinal large B-cell lymphoma→