# Genomic biomarkers of splenic lymphoma

> **NIH NIH R01** · SLOAN-KETTERING INST CAN RESEARCH · 2022 · $194,502

## Abstract

PROJECT SUMMARY
GENOMIC BIOMARKERS OF SPLENIC LYMPHOMA
Splenic marginal zone lymphoma (SMZL) is the most common form of primary cancer in the spleen. SMZL
typically involves the bone marrow and peripheral blood (PB) at presentation. The diagnosis is invariably
established in late stages of disease via a splenectomy which is a surgical procedure carrying major risk.
Additionally, the diagnosis of SMZL is subjective because there are no specific histopathologic or
immunohistochemical biomarkers of the disease. Consequently, early diagnosis of SMZL is challenging and
not achieved in most clinical scenarios. Further, SMZLs are among the least reproducibly diagnosed category
of lymphomas. The suboptimal diagnostic accuracy necessitates the development of qualitative and objective
biomarkers of SMZL. Importantly, while all cases of SMZL are characterized by PB involvement at diagnosis,
however this biologic feature has not been leveraged for the reliable early detection of the disease. Using
whole genome and exome sequencing, we and others defined the genomic landscape of SMZL and identified
recurrently mutated genes in SMZL. An unmet clinical need is the development of reliable biomarkers for the
early and accurate diagnosis of the disease based on the characteristic genomic alterations of SMZL. We
propose in this application to develop a genomic-based approach that utilizes and validates peripheral blood as
for early and accurate diagnosis of the disease. The overall impact of the application is the establishment of a
paradigm for early, sensitive and accurate disease diagnosis by analysis of peripheral blood, thereby
permitting early and appropriate treatment for the disease.

## Key facts

- **NIH application ID:** 10703846
- **Project number:** 7R01CA255655-03
- **Recipient organization:** SLOAN-KETTERING INST CAN RESEARCH
- **Principal Investigator:** KOJO S. J. ELENITOBA-JOHNSON
- **Activity code:** R01 (R01, R21, SBIR, etc.)
- **Funding institute:** NIH
- **Fiscal year:** 2022
- **Award amount:** $194,502
- **Award type:** 7
- **Project period:** 2022-10-01 → 2025-11-30

## Primary source

NIH RePORTER: https://reporter.nih.gov/project-details/10703846

## Citation

> US National Institutes of Health, RePORTER application 10703846, Genomic biomarkers of splenic lymphoma (7R01CA255655-03). Retrieved via AI Analytics 2026-05-23 from https://api.ai-analytics.org/grant/nih/10703846. Licensed CC0.

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