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.
MeSH terms
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Animals
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Cell Communication
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Cell Proliferation
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Cell Transformation, Neoplastic
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Chromosomes, Human, Pair 14
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Chromosomes, Human, Pair 18
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Disease Progression
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Gene Expression Regulation, Neoplastic
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Humans
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Lymphoma, Follicular* / etiology
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Lymphoma, Follicular* / genetics
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Lymphoma, Follicular* / metabolism
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Mice
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Neoplasms, Experimental
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Proto-Oncogene Proteins c-bcl-2 / biosynthesis
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Proto-Oncogene Proteins c-bcl-2 / genetics
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Receptors, Antigen, B-Cell / genetics
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Receptors, Antigen, B-Cell / metabolism
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Stromal Cells / pathology
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Translocation, Genetic
Substances
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Proto-Oncogene Proteins c-bcl-2
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Receptors, Antigen, B-Cell