Biomarker Resource Center
Non-Hodgkin Lymphoma Biomarkers
Reviewed by XpertPatient Medical Advisory · Updated August 2026 · Primary Source: cancer.gov
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What Is a Biomarker — and Why Does It Matter for Your Treatment?
A biomarker in lymphoma is usually a protein on the surface of cancer cells or a specific gene change inside them. The most important surface protein is CD20 — found on most B-cell lymphomas.
Think of it like a clue. Your doctor collects clues from your biomarker test results. Those clues help build a picture of your cancer. That picture helps you have a more informed conversation with your care team about next steps.
How a Biomarker Test Works
A biomarker is a signal your cancer leaves behind. Your doctor finds it through a biopsy or blood test, reads your results, and uses them to choose the treatment most likely to work for your specific tumor.
Why Do Biomarkers Matter in Non-Hodgkin Lymphoma?
Non-Hodgkin lymphoma includes more than 60 different cancer types. Biomarker testing is essential to identify exactly which type you have. Each subtype behaves differently and responds to different approaches.
The most important non-Hodgkin lymphoma biomarkers are CD20 status, BCL2, and MYC. Together they help your doctor identify your exact lymphoma subtype and which care approaches are most appropriate.
A good question to ask your doctor: Ask your doctor which subtype of non-Hodgkin lymphoma you have and what your CD20 result is.
Quick Poll
Have you been biomarker tested?
CD20 status and your exact lymphoma subtype are the foundation of your entire care plan.
Source: DaCosta Byfield et al., JAMA Network Open, July 2025 · overall advanced cancer biomarker testing rate (n=26,311) · jamanetwork.com
The Tests Your Doctor May Order
Does your lymphoma have a surface protein that a targeted approach can use?
CD20 is found on most B-cell lymphomas. Knowing your CD20 status tells your doctor whether certain targeted approaches can be part of your care. Ask your doctor what your CD20 result is.
Is a protein that helps cancer survive overactive in your tumor?
BCL2 helps cancer cells live longer than they should. BCL2 changes also define one subtype called double-hit lymphoma. Ask your doctor whether BCL2 testing was done and what your result means.
Is there a chromosome change that signals aggressive disease?
When MYC and BCL2 are both changed, it creates double-hit lymphoma — one of the more aggressive subtypes. Ask your doctor whether MYC testing was done and what your result means.
What type of lymphoma do you have?
Some lymphomas grow slowly and may not need immediate care. Others grow quickly and need attention soon. Biomarker testing is what tells your doctor which type you have. Ask your doctor to explain your specific subtype.
Sources: National Cancer Institute · Lymphoma Research Foundation · LLS
Watch & Learn
Common Questions
Non-Hodgkin Lymphoma Biomarkers — Your Questions Answered
What is double-hit lymphoma?
Double-hit lymphoma has changes in both MYC and BCL2. It is more aggressive and may need a more intensive care approach. Ask your doctor whether your lymphoma has been tested for this.
What is the difference between slow-growing and fast-growing lymphoma?
Some lymphomas may not need immediate treatment. Others need care soon. Biomarker testing determines which type you have.
What is CAR-T therapy?
CAR-T takes your own immune cells, modifies them to attack lymphoma cells, and puts them back in your body. Ask your doctor whether this approach is worth discussing for your situation.
Is there a patient support community?
Yes. The Lymphoma Research Foundation at lymphoma.org and the LLS at lls.org are trusted resources.
Knowledge Check
Test what you’ve learned
Three quick questions to help you feel more confident talking with your care team.
Why is CD20 status important?
Based on what you just read, what does CD20 status tell your doctor?
What is double-hit lymphoma?
Based on what you just read, what makes double-hit lymphoma different?
Why do biomarkers matter so much in lymphoma?
Based on what you just read, why is biomarker testing especially important in non-Hodgkin lymphoma?
Keep these in mind for your next appointment.
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