# Large B-cell Lymphoma With IRF4 Rearrangement in the Elderly

**Authors:** Ryusuke Horaguchi, Shohei Kikuchi, Yoshimi Nabe, Soshi Kisamori, Tomoki Minemura, Takuma Fujihira, Kento Ono, Yusuke Kamihara, Akinori Wada, Tsutomu Sato

PMC · DOI: 10.7759/cureus.102294 · Cureus · 2026-01-26

## TL;DR

A rare case of large B-cell lymphoma with IRF4 rearrangement in an elderly patient is reported, showing similarities to pediatric cases but with distinct genetic features.

## Contribution

This case highlights the molecular and clinical heterogeneity of LBCL-IRF4 in adults, contrasting with pediatric patterns.

## Key findings

- The patient had a solitary parotid lesion with histology consistent with germinal center B-cell type lymphoma.
- Genetic analysis confirmed IRF4 rearrangement via t(4;6)(p14;p25) translocation involving a non-immunoglobulin partner.
- The patient achieved complete response to R-CHOP therapy, indicating favorable outcomes despite age-related differences.

## Abstract

Large B‑cell lymphoma with IRF4 rearrangement (LBCL‑IRF4) predominantly affects children and typically presents with Waldeyer’s ring and/or head and neck involvement, limited stage, and favorable outcomes. Reports in older adults are rare, and comparability to pediatric disease remains uncertain. We describe an elderly LBCL-IRF4 case with a solitary parotid lesion. Histology showed diffuse large B‑cell lymphoma, germinal center B‑cell type, with co‑expression of CD10, BCL6, and IRF4/MUM1. Karyotyping identified t(4;6)(p14;p25) involving 6p25 (IRF4), and fluorescence in situ hybridization confirmed interferon regulatory factor 4 (IRF4) rearrangement. The patient achieved an excellent response to R-CHOP therapy, resulting in a complete response. Although clinically similar to pediatric cases, this case involved a non‑immunoglobulin translocation partner, contrasting with the pediatric predominance of immunoglobulin loci. Adult LBCL-IRF4 shows heterogeneity, with some cases resembling pediatric presentations and others diverging. This case underscores the need for further research into age-related clinical and molecular differences in elderly LBCL-IRF4.

## Linked entities

- **Genes:** IRF4 (interferon regulatory factor 4) [NCBI Gene 3662], BCL6 (BCL6 transcription repressor) [NCBI Gene 604], MME (membrane metalloendopeptidase) [NCBI Gene 4311], IRF4 (interferon regulatory factor 4) [NCBI Gene 3662]
- **Diseases:** Large B-cell lymphoma (MONDO:0968974), lymphoma (MONDO:0003659)

## Full-text entities

- **Genes:** CD79B (CD79b molecule) [NCBI Gene 974] {aka AGM6, B29, IGB, Igbeta}, BCL2 (BCL2 apoptosis regulator) [NCBI Gene 596] {aka Bcl-2, PPP1R50}, BCL6 (BCL6 transcription repressor) [NCBI Gene 604] {aka BCL5, BCL6A, LAZ3, ZBTB27, ZNF51}, MME (membrane metalloendopeptidase) [NCBI Gene 4311] {aka CALLA, CD10, CMT2T, NEP, SCA43, SFE}, TRIM21 (tripartite motif containing 21) [NCBI Gene 6737] {aka RNF81, RO52, Ro/SSA, SSA, SSA1, TRIM21/Ro52}, BTG2 (BTG anti-proliferation factor 2) [NCBI Gene 7832] {aka APRO1, PC3, TIS21}, CD5 (CD5 molecule) [NCBI Gene 921] {aka LEU1, T1}, SSB (small RNA binding exonuclease protection factor La) [NCBI Gene 6741] {aka LARP3, La, La/SSB, SSB/La}, MYD88 (MYD88 innate immune signal transduction adaptor) [NCBI Gene 4615] {aka IMD68, MYD88D, WM1}, IGH (immunoglobulin heavy locus) [NCBI Gene 3492] {aka IGD1, IGH.1@, IGH@, IGHD@, IGHDY1, IGHJ}, IGHD (immunoglobulin heavy constant delta) [NCBI Gene 3495], CARD11 (caspase recruitment domain family member 11) [NCBI Gene 84433] {aka BENTA, BIMP3, CARMA1, IMD11, IMD11A, PPBL}, KRT20 (keratin 20) [NCBI Gene 54474] {aka CD20, CK-20, CK20, K20, KRT21}, MYC (MYC proto-oncogene, bHLH transcription factor) [NCBI Gene 4609] {aka MRTL, MYCC, bHLHe39, c-Myc}, IRF4 (interferon regulatory factor 4) [NCBI Gene 3662] {aka IMD131, LSIRF, MUM1, NF-EM5, SHEP8}, KMT2D (lysine methyltransferase 2D) [NCBI Gene 8085] {aka AAD10, ALR, BCAHH, CAGL114, KABUK1, KMS}, RHOH (ras homolog family member H) [NCBI Gene 399] {aka ARHH, IMD129, TTF}, PWWP3A (PWWP domain containing 3A, DNA repair factor) [NCBI Gene 84939] {aka EXPAND1, HSPC211, MUM-1, MUM1}, NFKB1 (nuclear factor kappa B subunit 1) [NCBI Gene 4790] {aka CVID12, EBP-1, KBF1, NF-kB, NF-kB1, NF-kappa-B1}, DUSP22 (dual specificity phosphatase 22) [NCBI Gene 56940] {aka JKAP, JSP-1, JSP1, LMW-DSP2, LMWDSP2, MKP-x}
- **Diseases:** toxicity (MESH:D064420), MALT (MESH:D018442), follicular lymphoma (MESH:D008224), DLBCL (MESH:D016403), tenderness (MESH:D063806), parotid tumor (MESH:D010307), B-cell lymphomas (MESH:D016393), ocular dryness (MESH:D014987), lymphoma (MESH:D008223), head and neck tumors (MESH:D006258), Sjogren's syndrome (MESH:D012859), pain (MESH:D010146), parotid gland lesion (MESH:D010305), EBV (MESH:D020031), GCB (MESH:D054331)
- **Chemicals:** FDG (MESH:D019788), rituximab (MESH:D000069283), doxorubicin (MESH:D004317), 18-fluorodeoxyglucose (-), prednisone (MESH:D011241), vincristine (MESH:D014750), cyclophosphamide (MESH:D003520)
- **Species:** Homo sapiens (human, species) [taxon 9606]

## Full text

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## Figures

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## References

12 references — full list in the complete paper: https://tomesphere.com/paper/PMC12933372/full.md

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Source: https://tomesphere.com/paper/PMC12933372