Mutations in Mantle Cell Lymphoma: From Backup to Game Changer.

Mantle cell lymphoma (MCL) is an aggressive subtype of non-Hodgkin lymphoma (NHL) whose clinical course is largely shaped by molecular and biological features. Among the most impactful prognostic markers, mutations have emerged as critical determinants of treatment resistance since their first identification in MCL in 1996. Regardless of the detection method, mutations have been consistently associated with primary refractoriness to chemoimmunotherapy and significantly reduced overall survival. In this perspective, we explored recent advances in applying integrated-omics approaches to assess status. Despite its prognostic value, routine testing for at diagnosis remains uncommon, hindered by the lack of standardized protocols and costs for Next-Generation Sequencing (NGS), and the suboptimal reliability of immunohistochemistry (IHC) as a surrogate. This gap between research evidence and clinical practice represents a critical barrier to risk-adapted therapy. The broad implementation of standardized and accessible genomic techniques is essential to identify patients who deserve a personalized therapeutic approach. Several clinical trials have recently explored alternative chemo-free or targeted regimens specifically tailored to -mutated patients (i.e., NCT03824483, NCT03567876), with promising results. This risk-adapted approach reflects a paradigm shift in MCL management, emphasizing the need for early molecular risk assessment to guide treatment decisions. In this scenario, mutations are no longer supporting actors, but a game-changer for the prognosis and treatment of patients with MCL.