Telomerase activity and clinical progression in chronic lymphoproliferative disorders of B-cell lineage.
The activation of telomerase, which specifically occurs in neoplastic cells to avoid telomere attrition at each cell division, is a necessary event in tumorigenesis. The evidence that telomerase is also present in normal B cells at different levels according to their differentiation and activation state makes the study of telomerase activity in B cell tumors particularly interesting. This review summarizes data concerning telomerase activity in chronic lymphoproliferative disorders of B-cell lineage (B-CLD), making suggestions regarding B-cell development and B-cell tumor histogenesis. The role of telomerase activity as a potential prognostic marker, as well as a target of new antineoplastic strategies is discussed.
Ballon
G
G
Department of Oncology and Surgical Sciences, Section of Oncology, University of Padova, via Gattamelata 64, 35128 Padova, Italy.
Trentin
L
L
De Rossi
A
A
Semenzato
G
G
D001402:B-Lymphocytes / Q000473:pathology*; D015415:Biomarkers; D019070:Cell Lineage / Q000502:physiology; D002908:Chronic Disease; D018450:Disease Progression; D006801:Humans; D008232:Lymphoproliferative Disorders / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000209:etiology*; D019098:Telomerase / Q000378:metabolism*
D015415:Biomarkers; D019098:Telomerase