TY - JOUR
T1 - Molecular pathogenesis of non-Hodgkin lymphoma
T2 - A clinical perspective
AU - Gaidano, G.
AU - Pastore, C.
AU - Volpe, G.
PY - 1995
Y1 - 1995
N2 - Despite a common origin from mature lymphoid cells, non-Hodgkin lymphomas (NHL) represent a surprisingly heterogeneous group of lymphoid malignancies whose classification is continuously being remodeled. The most recent proposal, the Revised European-American classification, introduces pathogenetic features among the classification criteria. In this respect, knowledge of the molecular pathogenesis of NHL, which is based upon genetic lesions leading to activation of protooncogenes (e.g. BCL-1, BCL-2, BCL-6, c-MYC) or disruption of tumor suppressor genes (e.g. p53), is becoming increasingly relevant for the clinician. These lesions combine into multiple molecular pathways which are selectively associated with distinct NHL types. Thus, for example, rearrangements of BCL-1, BCL-2, BCL-6, and c-MYC are the genetic hallmarks of mantle cell, follicular, diffuse large cell, and Burkitt's lymphoma, respectively. Overall, from a clinical perspective, NHL genetic lesions serve three purposes: a) they assist and complement histologic diagnosis; b) they provide a molecular marker with prognostic relevance; c) they allow evaluation of minimal residual disease through highly specific and highly sensitive technologies.
AB - Despite a common origin from mature lymphoid cells, non-Hodgkin lymphomas (NHL) represent a surprisingly heterogeneous group of lymphoid malignancies whose classification is continuously being remodeled. The most recent proposal, the Revised European-American classification, introduces pathogenetic features among the classification criteria. In this respect, knowledge of the molecular pathogenesis of NHL, which is based upon genetic lesions leading to activation of protooncogenes (e.g. BCL-1, BCL-2, BCL-6, c-MYC) or disruption of tumor suppressor genes (e.g. p53), is becoming increasingly relevant for the clinician. These lesions combine into multiple molecular pathways which are selectively associated with distinct NHL types. Thus, for example, rearrangements of BCL-1, BCL-2, BCL-6, and c-MYC are the genetic hallmarks of mantle cell, follicular, diffuse large cell, and Burkitt's lymphoma, respectively. Overall, from a clinical perspective, NHL genetic lesions serve three purposes: a) they assist and complement histologic diagnosis; b) they provide a molecular marker with prognostic relevance; c) they allow evaluation of minimal residual disease through highly specific and highly sensitive technologies.
KW - Chromosomal translocation
KW - Non-Hodgkin lymphoma
KW - Proto-oncogene
KW - Tumor suppressor gene
UR - http://www.scopus.com/inward/record.url?scp=0028784483&partnerID=8YFLogxK
M3 - Review article
SN - 0390-6078
VL - 80
SP - 454
EP - 472
JO - Haematologica
JF - Haematologica
IS - 5
ER -