title: Histologic transformation of chronic lymphocytic leukemia/small lymphocytic lymphoma.
abstract: Although generally considered a clinically indolent neoplasm, CLL/SLL may undergo transformation to a clinically aggressive lymphoma. The most common form of transformation, to DLBCL, is also known as Richter syndrome. Transformation determines the course of the disease and is associated with unfavorable patient outcome. Precise detection of transformation and identification of predictive biomarkers and specific molecular pathways implicated in the pathobiology of transformation in CLL/SLL will enable personalized therapeutic approach and provide potential avenues for improving the clinical outcome of patients. In this review, we present an overview of the pathologic features, risk factors, and pathogenic mechanisms of CLL/SLL transformation. Am. J. Hematol. 91:1036-1043, 2016. © 2016 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
authors.affiliation: Department of Hematopathology, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, Texas.
authors.forename: Rose Lou Marie C
authors.identifier: 0000-0002-5309-7104
authors.initials: RL
authors.lastname: Agbay
authors.affiliation: Department of Leukemia, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, Texas.
authors.forename: Nitin
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Jain
authors.affiliation: Department of Hematopathology, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, Texas.
authors.forename: Sanam
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Loghavi
authors.affiliation: Department of Hematopathology, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, Texas.
authors.forename: L Jeffrey
authors.initials: LJ
authors.lastname: Medeiros
authors.affiliation: Department of Hematopathology, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, Texas. jkhoury@mdanderson.org.
authors.forename: Joseph D
authors.initials: JD
authors.lastname: Khoury
mesh_terms: D014408:Biomarkers, Tumor; D002471:Cell Transformation, Neoplastic / Q000473:pathology*; D006801:Humans; D015451:Leukemia, Lymphocytic, Chronic, B-Cell / Q000473:pathology*; D016403:Lymphoma, Large B-Cell, Diffuse / Q000473:pathology*; D053858:Metabolic Networks and Pathways; D012307:Risk Factors
chemical_list: D014408:Biomarkers, Tumor