[Molecular diagnosis of malignant lymphomas].
BACKGROUND
Malignant lymphomas comprise a heterogeneous group of non-solid tumors originating in lymphocytes at different maturation stages. The diagnosis is based on a traditional histopathological diagnostic procedure supplemented with immunophenotyping, cytogenetics, molecular genetic analyses and clinical information. This article describes experimental molecular diagnostics, mainly based on microarray-based gene expression technology.


METHODS
Results achieved through an international multicentre project (headed by the National Cancer Institute in the USA), in which the Norwegian Radium Hospital has taken part as the only Nordic institution, are summarized. The findings are discussed in light of other relevant studies identified through a non-systematic search in PubMed.


RESULTS
New clinically relevant subgroups of malignant B-cell lymphomas have been characterized. Retrospective survival analyses have shown correlations between gene expression profiles and patient outcome and have provided important biological knowledge, which has led to new targeted treatments (currently being tested in clinical studies).


CONCLUSIONS
As a supplement to today's diagnostics, molecular diagnostics yields an improved diagnostic precision and opens up for new treatment possibilities for patients with malignant lymphomas.
Holte
Harald
H
Kreftklinikken, Oslo universitetssykehus, Radiumhospitalet, Oslo, Norway. harald.holte@radiumhospitalet.no
Kvaløy
Stein
S
Delabie
Jan
J
Trøen
Gunhild
G
Smeland
Erlend B
EB
D002051:Burkitt Lymphoma / Q000145:classification / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000473:pathology; D005260:Female; D020869:Gene Expression Profiling; D006801:Humans; D008223:Lymphoma / Q000145:classification / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000473:pathology; D016393:Lymphoma, B-Cell / Q000145:classification / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000473:pathology; D008224:Lymphoma, Follicular / Q000145:classification / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000473:pathology; D016403:Lymphoma, Large B-Cell, Diffuse / Q000145:classification / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000473:pathology; D008297:Male; D035683:MicroRNAs / Q000235:genetics; D025202:Molecular Diagnostic Techniques; D020411:Oligonucleotide Array Sequence Analysis; D011237:Predictive Value of Tests; D011379:Prognosis; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D015996:Survival Rate
D035683:MicroRNAs