Specifically, (i) the loss of eIF5A hypusination by deletion of Dhps specifically in B cells abolishes malignant transformation of the B cells of Eμ-Myc transgenic mice (Eμ-Myc;CD19-Cre;Dhpsfl/fl), and (ii) pharmacological inhibition, knockdown or knockout of Dhps, or knockdown of Eif5a suppresses the growth and survival of extant lymphoma both ex vivo and in vivo. This evidence concerns the gene MYC and lymphoma.