Bridging the gap: Educational insights into frontline management of MCL and DLBCL in community practice.

203 Background: Mantle cell lymphoma (MCL) and diffuse large B-cell lymphoma (DLBCL) are commonly diagnosed subtypes of B-cell non-Hodgkin lymphoma. To enhance awareness among community-based care teams, educational initiatives were developed to address the nuances of differential diagnosis and to spotlight emerging targeted therapies—particularly the use of Bruton’s tyrosine kinase inhibitors (BTKis) in the frontline setting. Methods: As part of a multi-phase educational initiative, Medlive surveyed community-based clinicians managing MCL and DLBCL. The MCL survey was conducted from March 2024 to June 2024, and the DLBCL survey from October 2024 to January 2025. We identified treaters of MCL and DLBCL in partnership with IQVIA; verified via ICD-10 codes. The surveys examined current practice patterns and management challenges in both disease areas. Results: A total of 77 clinicians responded for MCL and 81 for DLBCL, with the majority practicing in the community setting (71% for MCL and 83% for DLBCL). Clinicians in both groups reported incorporating biologic and molecular markers to guide treatment decisions. For MCL, the most commonly assessed markers were TP53 mutations/del 17p (61%) and Ki67 (55%), while in DLBCL, fluorescence in-situ hybridization testing for BCL2/BCL6 and MYC rearrangements was frequently performed (70% and 61%, respectively). Prognostic scoring tools were also utilized, with the MCL International Prognostic Index (MIPI) used in 58% of MCL cases and the revised International Prognostic Index (IPI) applied in 38% of DLBCL cases. Clinicians reported similar challenges in treatment decision-making for MCL and DLBCL, particularly selecting therapies based on current evidence (59% in both groups) and individualizing treatment plans (45% in MCL; 48% in DLBCL). Limited access to clinical decision tools (30% in MCL) and clinical trials (36% in DLBCL) were additional reported barriers. Physician perceptions of patient concerns mirrored these challenges, with both academic and community clinicians reporting that patients frequently struggled to understand their disease and available treatments (51% MCL; 44% DLBCL), were worried about treatment risks (51% MCL; 57% DLBCL), and found it difficult to choose the most appropriate treatment plan (47% MCL; 48% DLBCL). Although 53% of MCL clinicians currently use BTKis in practice, only 38% felt confident incorporating them as first-line therapy, despite current approvals in this setting. Conclusions: Findings from this initiative indicate that many clinicians face challenges in integrating BTKis into the treatment of patients with newly diagnosed B-cell lymphomas, largely due to limited access and insufficient familiarity with evidence-based strategies. These results highlight the ongoing need for targeted educational initiatives aimed at addressing these critical practice gaps and supporting optimal patient care.