Risk stratification of mantle cell lymphoma (MCL)

Despite of a better understanding of the biology of mantle cell lymphoma (MCL), it remains an incurable disease with very variable disease courses. The biological heterogeneity of MCL requires the identification of prognostic markers for risk stratification and tailored treatment of MCL. The combined MCL International Prognostic Index (MIPI-c) represents a well-established clinical risk stratification model. Based on four clinical parameters: age, performance status, lactate dehydrogenase and leucocyte count combined with the percentage of Ki-67 positive MCL cells the model distinguishes four MCL subgroups with very different outcomes. Further prognostic markers, in particular molecular lesions might help to further improve clinical scoring. We discuss the value of clinical and molecular markers to predict outcome of MCL and how these markers could influence treatment decisions.