title: Mastocytosis.
abstract: Mastocytosis is defined by a pathological increase in mast cell numbers in tissues. Recent clinical observations on rare manifestations highlight the diversity of this disease. The diagnosis is now aided by new surrogate markers. At the molecular level, recent studies have reinforced the role of activating mutations in KIT in the etiology of mastocytosis. These findings provide a conceptual basis for the development for new therapeutic strategies.
authors.affiliation: Laboratory of Allergic Diseases, National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, Maryland 20892-1881, USA. kbrocknow@niaid.nih.gov
authors.forename: K
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Brockow
authors.forename: D D
authors.initials: DD
authors.lastname: Metcalfe
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D006801:Humans; D007223:Infant; D008407:Mast Cells / Q000473:pathology / Q000502:physiology; D008415:Mastocytosis / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000209:etiology / Q000503:physiopathology; D008875:Middle Aged; D009154:Mutation; D019009:Proto-Oncogene Proteins c-kit / Q000235:genetics
chemical_list: D019009:Proto-Oncogene Proteins c-kit