B cells behaving badly.
The pathogenesis of B-cell lymphoproliferative disorders in general and B-cell chronic lymphocytic leukaemia in particular appears to involve dysfunctional regulation of humoral and cellular immunity with the subsequent development of genetic aberrations in B cells. In theory, either component may arise de novo or may be influenced by environmental exposures including infectious agents, antigens, genotoxic chemicals, or radiation. As an intermediary within the exposure-disease continuum, monoclonal B-cell lymphocytosis may be a helpful biomarker for teasing out these various contributions to risk. This article introduces a series of papers that resulted from an International Workshop held in May 2007 entitled 'Monoclonal B-cell Lymphocytosis and Chronic Lymphocytic Leukemia: Environmental and Genetic Risk Factors'. Research efforts, such as those described in this issue, should lead to improved interventions, more predictive biomarkers, more effective treatments, and a greater appreciation of how the immune system functions over the entire human lifespan.
Shim
Youn K
YK
Division of Health Studies, Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease Registry, Atlanta, GA, USA. YShim@cdc.gov
Silver
Sharon R
SR
Caporaso
Neil E
NE
Marti
Gerald E
GE
Middleton
Dannie C
DC
Linet
Martha S
MS
Vogt
Robert F
RF
D020022:Genetic Predisposition to Disease; D006801:Humans; D015451:Leukemia, Lymphocytic, Chronic, B-Cell / Q000209:etiology* / Q000235:genetics; D008218:Lymphocytosis / Q000209:etiology; D010265:Paraproteinemias / Q000209:etiology; D011230:Precancerous Conditions / Q000209:etiology; D012307:Risk Factors