Cancer Lab · DeCure for X

DeCure for Nodal marginal zone B-cell lymphoma

DeCure's autonomous Cancer AI scientist is researching a drug-repurposing hypothesis for nodal marginal zone B-cell lymphoma — screening already-approved drugs against its 44-gene Open Targets disease module to publish open-access research. Research is fast; the path to publication is funded in milestone stages.

Disease module44 genesLead labCancer
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CancerDOID:0080211$DeCureCancer

The disease map

Disease moduleNodal marginal zone B-cell lymphoma maps to a 44-gene Open Targets module — the target space DeCure's AI scientist screens approved drugs against.
DeCure.ai methodSignature reversal (LINCS) plus network proximity (STRING) rank already-approved drugs likely to perturb this module — the same engine that produces DeCure.ai's repurposing hypotheses.
Repurposing thesisScreening approved medicines against this disease module, then publishing the evidence for the strongest candidate. Known pharmacology and human exposure data make the first question sharper — they do not establish safety or efficacy in a new indication.

Research record

01
ResearchComing soon
Candidate research + dossier — target rationale, drug-repurposing thesis and evidence pack.proof: Published dossier + on-chain hash
02
ValidationComing soon
In-vitro biological validation at a contract research org (CRO).proof: CRO contract + in-vitro report
03
Peer review & paperComing soon
Peer-reviewed paper published open-access (preprint + journal).proof: DOI + open-access link + on-chain hash

Current lead

No approved-drug candidate for nodal marginal zone b-cell lymphoma is corroborated in the literature DeepSearch retrieved. Some conditions are managed with non-pharmacological care — a device, surgery or physical therapy — rather than a medicine; that may be the case here, or the literature we found may simply be too sparse yet to support a drug-repurposing angle.

Molecular view

Bruton tyrosine kinase (BTK)BTK is one of the genes genetically linked to this disease in Open Targets — shown as context, not as a drug target we're pursuing: no approved-drug candidate for this disease is yet corroborated in the literature we found.

Loading structure…
helix sheet 7h-pyrrolo[2,3-d]pyrimidin-4-yldrag to rotate · scroll to zoom

RCSB Protein Data Bank · entry 6VXQ · 1.4 Å · ligand N-{[4-(7H-pyrrolo[2,3-d]pyrimidin-4-yl)phenyl]methyl}benzamide (RQS). Experimental structure, not a prediction.

What the evidence adds up to

Nodal marginal zone B-cell lymphoma is a rare entity recognised by the WHO classification, with diagnosis requiring lymph node involvement in the absence of prior or concurrent extranodal sites. A 2006 study of 47 newly diagnosed patients reported a median age of 63 years, with 64% aged over 60. At diagnosis, 13% had stage I disease, 10% stage II, 32% stage III, and 45% stage IV (bone marrow involvement). 11% had peripheral blood involvement, 11% had bulky disease, 15% had B symptoms, and 24% were HCV serology positive. After treatment, 57% achieved a complete response and 24% a partial response, for an overall response rate of 81%. At a median follow-up of 2.6 years, 5-year and 10-year overall survival was 69% (95% CI 52–86%). Death occurred in 10 patients, 9 related to lymphoma.

The same 2006 study found that in univariate analysis, B symptoms and higher FLIPI score were associated with shorter event-free survival. Higher FLIPI score, age over 60 years, and elevated LDH were associated with worse overall survival. In multivariate analysis, haemoglobin below 12 g/dl predicted shorter event-free survival (HR 14.3), and only FLIPI score retained statistical significance for overall survival (HR 3.5). HCV serology positivity was of borderline significance for both endpoints. The authors concluded that FLIPI score is effective in detecting patients with worse prognosis in nodal marginal zone lymphoma, similar to its use in follicular lymphoma.

A 2022 manuscript notes that marginal zone lymphoma is commonly underrepresented in clinical trials that collectively study mostly nodal indolent lymphomas. It proposes new inclusion and response criteria defined by MZL subtype and disease location for extranodal MZL. It also states that progression of disease within 24 months is associated with poor outcomes in MZL and that future studies should assess the efficacy of novel agents in this population. A 2020 review of primary cutaneous B-cell lymphomas, which includes primary cutaneous marginal zone lymphoma, describes these as indolent but marked by frequent relapses, and notes that therapeutic advances in nodal B-cell lymphomas are being explored for cutaneous forms, including targeted therapies and immunotherapeutic approaches.

What remains missing are dedicated clinical trials that enrol sufficient numbers of nodal marginal zone lymphoma patients specifically, rather than pooling them with other indolent lymphomas. The 2006 data are from a single series of 47 patients with a median follow-up of only 2.6 years, and no randomised controlled data exist for this subtype. Better patient stratification using validated prognostic scores and prospective evaluation of novel agents in the high-risk group with early progression are needed, but funding and trial design that accounts for the rarity of the disease remain obstacles.

Evidence

Retrieved by DeepSearch across 234,678,978 indexed works and resolved on OpenAlex — ranked by citations, including the results that did not work.

Cancers · 2020 · 33 citations · open access

Diagnosis and Treatment of Primary Cutaneous B-Cell Lymphomas: State of the Art and Perspectives

AbstractPrimary cutaneous B-cell lymphomas are rare entities that develop primarily in the skin. They constitute a heterogeneous group that represents around a quarter of primary cutaneous lymphomas. The 2018 update of the World Health Organization-European Organization for Research and Treatment of Cancer (WHO-EORTC) classification differentiates primary cutaneous marginal zone lymphoma and primary cutaneous follicle center lymphoma with an indolent course from primary cutaneous diffuse large B-cell lymphoma, leg type with an aggressive behavior. The broad spectrum of clinical presentations and the disease course marked by frequent relapses are diagnostic and therapeutic challenges. The classification of these diseases has been refined in recent years, which allows to better define their immunopathogenesis and specific management. In the present article, we review the main clinico-biological characteristics and the current therapeutic options of these three main subsets. Based on the recent therapeutic advances in nodal B-cell lymphomas, we focus on the development of novel treatment options applicable to primary cutaneous B-cell lymphomas, including targeted therapies, combination treatments and immunotherapeutic approaches, and cover basic, translational and clinical aspects aiming to improve the treatment of cutaneous B-cell lymphomas.

https://doi.org/10.3390/cancers12061497
American Journal of Hematology · 2022 · 5 citations

AbstractMarginal zone lymphoma (MZL) is commonly underrepresented in clinical trials collectively studying mostly nodal indolent lymphomas.In this manuscript we propose new inclusion and response criteria defined by MZL subtype and disease location for those with extranodal MZL. Progression of disease within 24 months is associated with poor outcomes in MZL and future studies should assess the efficacy of novel agents in this population.

https://doi.org/10.1002/ajh.v97.11
American Journal of Hematology · 2022 · 5 citations · open access

A roadmap for clinical trial design in marginal zone lymphoma

AbstractMarginal zone lymphoma (MZL) is commonly underrepresented in clinical trials collectively studying mostly nodal indolent lymphomas.In this manuscript we propose new inclusion and response criteria defined by MZL subtype and disease location for those with extranodal MZL. Progression of disease within 24 months is associated with poor outcomes in MZL and future studies should assess the efficacy of novel agents in this population.

https://doi.org/10.1002/ajh.26706
Archives of Craniofacial Surgery · 2020 · 3 citations · open access

A case of nodal marginal zone B-cell lymphoma of the lower eyelid

AbstractA marginal zone B-cell lymphoma is a type of B-cell lymphoma which is normally located at the margins of the secondary lymph node follicles. According to 2008 World Health Organization (WHO) classification, there are three main types classified according to the location of invasion: nodal lymphoma in the lymph nodes, splenic lymphoma in the spleen, and extranodal lymphoma in other locations. Recently, we have experienced a rare case of primary nodal marginal zone lymphoma that arose in the lower eyelid. Therefore, we report this case with a review of literature.

https://doi.org/10.7181/acfs.2020.00241
Blood · 2006 · 0 citations

Clinical Features and Prognostic Assessment of Nodal Marginal Zone B-Cell Lymphoma, a Rare Disease with Follicular-Like Behaviour.

AbstractAbstract Background. Primary nodal marginal zone B-cell lymphoma (MZL) is a rare entity recognized by the WHO classification. Diagnosis requires a lymph node localization in the absence of prior or concurrent involvement of extranodal sites. Most studies reported so far focus mainly on histopathology, while the clinical features and outcome of this uncommon lymphoma remains less defined. Aim. To define the clinical features and to assess prognosis of primary nodal marginal zone B-cell lymphoma. Methods. We studied a series of 47 newly diagnosed patients with primary nodal marginal zone B-cell lymphoma. Diagnosis was made on histologic examination of lesional tissues integrated with immunohistochemical data. No patient showed MALT or splenic localisation of lymphoma at diagnosis. Results. Patients: 17 males and 30 females, median age 63 years (25–79) with 64% aged more than 60 years. 13% of patients had stage I disease, 10% stage II, 32% stage III, 45% stage IV (bone marrow involvement). 11% had peripheral blood involvement, 11% had bulky disease, 15% B symptoms, 6% ECOG score ≥ 2. 23% had hemoglobin <12 g/dl. LDH was above normal in 15% and β2-microglobulin in 45%. 11% had an autoimmune background. HCV serology was positive in 24% (9/38). With the IPI score 37% ranked in the low risk, 22% in the low-intermediate, 35% in the intermediate-high, and 7% in the high risk category. Using the FLIPI score, 33% were classified as low risk, 34% as intermediate risk, and 33% as high risk. After treatment, 57% achieved a complete response and 24% a partial response, for an overall response rate of 81%. At a median follow-up of 2.6 years, no patient developed splenic or MALT involvement. 5-years and 10-years OS is 69% (95% CI 52–86%). Death occurred in 10 pts (related to NHL in 9, to another neoplasm in one). In univariate analysis the following factors were associated with shorter event-free survival (EFS): B symptoms (p=0.001), high vs intermediate vs low risk FLIPI score (p=0.009). The following factors were associated with worse overall survival: high vs intermediate vs low risk FLIPI score (p=0.02), age > 60 years (p=0.05), LDH above normal (p=0.05). HCV positivity was of borderline significance (p=0.06). In multivariate analysis hemoglobin < 12 g/dl (p=0.02, HR 14.3) was predictive of shorter EFS. Concerning overall survival, only the FLIPI retained statistical significance in predicting a worse outcome (p=0.02, HR 3.5). Positive HCV serology was of borderline significance (p=0.06, HR 4.4). Conclusions: among marginal zone neoplasms, primary nodal marginal zone lymphoma appears a distinct disorder with an indolent behaviour. The association with HCV infection (25%) is particularly high in comparison with non-marginal zone lymphomas. Considering the prognostic assessment of this rare disease, the FLIPI score is effective in detecting patients at worse prognosis with the same power as in follicular lymphoma. Thus, the application of the FLIPI may be of clinical value for treatment decision also in primary nodal marginal zone lymphoma.

https://doi.org/10.1182/blood.v108.11.2427.2427
Oncolog-Hematolog ro · 2020 · 0 citations · open access

Nodal marginal zone lymphoma – etiopathology, diagnosis and treatment

AbstractNodal marginal zone lymphoma (NMZL) is an unfrequent type of indolent non-Hodgkin lymphoma. NMZL affects main­ly the lymph node, but it presents with histologic as­pects similar with splenic marginal zone lymphoma or extranodal marginal lymphoma, usually without af­fec­ting other structures. Nevertheless, NMZL remains a con­di­tion that needs to be further studied in order to better under­stand its pathogenesis, to better diagnose it and treat the patients with this affliction.

https://doi.org/10.26416/onhe.50.1.2020.2963

Disease module: DeepOracle (Open Targets). Structures: RDKit from PubChem SMILES. Literature: retrieved by DeepSearch across 234,678,978 indexed works (targeted per-candidate search), resolved on OpenAlex.

DeCure is a research and publication project, not medical advice and not a treatment. "DeCure for X" describes a research goal, not a claim that a cure exists. Backing a cure is a contribution to fund the research — it is not an investment, and confers no yield, royalty, equity or IP ownership. Papers are published open-access by the DeCure.ai DAO.