Advances in understanding the pathogenesis of systemic anaplastic large cell lymphomas. (6th January 2015)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Boi, Michela; Zucca, Emanuele; Inghirami, Giorgio; Bertoni, Francesco
• Is Part Of: British journal of haematology. Volume 168:Number 6(2015:Mar.)
• Page Start: 771
• Page End: 783
• Publication Date: 2015-01-06
• Subjects: Hematology -- Periodicals; Blood -- Diseases -- Periodicals; 616.15
• DOI: 10.1111/bjh.13265
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0007-1048

Abstract

<abstract abstract-type="main" id="bjh13265-abs-0001"> <title>Summary</title> <p>The currently used 2008 World Health Organization classification recognizes two types of systemic anaplastic large T cell lymphoma according to ALK protein expression in tumour cells. First, the 'anaplastic large cell lymphoma, ALK positive' (ALK⁺ ALCL) that is characterized by the presence of <italic>ALK</italic> gene rearrangements and consequent ALK protein expression, and, second, the 'anaplastic large cell lymphoma, ALK negative' (ALK⁻ ALCL) that is a provisional entity lacking ALK protein expression but cannot be distinguished morphologically from ALK⁺ ALCL. In this review we summarize the current knowledge on the genetic lesions and biological features that underlie the pathogenesis of ALK⁺ and the ALK⁻ ALCL and that can lead to the use of targeted anti‐cancer agents.</p> </abstract>