Molecular pathology of lymphomas.
Chromosomal translocations appear to be the initiating step in the development of malignancy in both B cell and T cell lymphomas. These results in the juxtapositioning of proto-oncogenes and transcriptional factors to the IG or TCR genes and lead to the deregulation of their expression. A survival advantage is provided to the lymphoid cells and contributes to neoplasm by permitting a clone to persist until other oncogenes such as c-myc are activated. This suggests a multistep progression to tumorigenesis. The occurrence of these translocations is assisted by obligatory DNA breaks and rearrangements of IG and TCR that have to occur for B and T cells to mature and function. The molecular alterations specific to lymphomas provide a potential specific target for therapy, including molecular manipulations. Animal modelling of lymphoma will provide the greatest possibilities for investigating the pathogenesis of lymphoma and future treatment modalities.
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Haematology and Oncology Unit, Institute of Child Health, London.
D015972:Gene Expression Regulation, Neoplastic; D015316:Genetic Therapy; D006801:Humans; D008223:Lymphoma / Q000209:etiology* / Q000235:genetics / Q000628:therapy; D016483:Lymphoma, AIDS-Related / Q000209:etiology / Q000628:therapy; D016393:Lymphoma, B-Cell / Q000209:etiology / Q000235:genetics / Q000628:therapy; D016399:Lymphoma, T-Cell / Q000209:etiology / Q000235:genetics / Q000628:therapy; D011519:Proto-Oncogenes; D014157:Transcription Factors / Q000502:physiology; D014178:Translocation, Genetic
D014157:Transcription Factors