title: Molecular pathways in follicular lymphoma.
abstract: Follicular lymphoma (FL) is one of the most common B-cell non-Hodgkin's lymphomas. The initiating genetic event found in approximately 90% of FL is the t(14;18), causing constitutive expression of the antiapoptotic BCL-2 protein. The exact secondary alterations leading to full FL development are still poorly defined. In this review, we address (i) the genetic pathways associated with tumorigenesis and progression of FL, (ii) the role of micro-environmental factors with emphasis on B-cell receptor ligands and (iii) lymphoma models in mice and what they teach us about lymphomagenesis in man.
authors.affiliation: Department of Pathology, Academic Medical Center, University of Amsterdam, Amsterdam, The Netherlands.
authors.forename: R J
authors.initials: RJ
authors.lastname: Bende
authors.forename: L A
authors.initials: LA
authors.lastname: Smit
authors.forename: C J M
authors.initials: CJ
authors.lastname: van Noesel
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D002450:Cell Communication; D049109:Cell Proliferation; D002471:Cell Transformation, Neoplastic; D002883:Chromosomes, Human, Pair 14; D002887:Chromosomes, Human, Pair 18; D018450:Disease Progression; D015972:Gene Expression Regulation, Neoplastic; D006801:Humans; D008224:Lymphoma, Follicular / Q000209:etiology / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism; D051379:Mice; D009374:Neoplasms, Experimental; D019253:Proto-Oncogene Proteins c-bcl-2 / Q000096:biosynthesis / Q000235:genetics; D011947:Receptors, Antigen, B-Cell / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism; D017154:Stromal Cells / Q000473:pathology; D014178:Translocation, Genetic
chemical_list: D019253:Proto-Oncogene Proteins c-bcl-2; D011947:Receptors, Antigen, B-Cell