Chromosomal abnormalities in lymphoid tumours: mechanism and role in tumour pathogenesis

• Published in: Trends in genetics Vol. 4; no. 11; pp. 300 - 304
• Main Authors: Rabbitts, T.H., Boehm, T., Mengle-Gaw, L.
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: England Elsevier Ltd 01.11.1988
• Subjects: Chromosome Aberrations - complications; Chromosome Aberrations - genetics; Chromosome Disorders; Chromosome Inversion; Chromosomes, Human, Pair 11 - ultrastructure; Chromosomes, Human, Pair 14 - ultrastructure; Humans; Leukemia, T-Cell - etiology; Leukemia, T-Cell - genetics; Oncogenes; Receptors, Antigen - genetics; Translocation, Genetic
• ISSN: 0168-9525
• DOI: 10.1016/0168-9525(88)90106-0

Chromosomal abnormalities have been the focus of study recently, after the discovery of oncogenes at the junctions of translocations in Burkitt's lymphoma and the Philadelphia chromosome in chronic myelogenous leukaemia. Can these findings be extrapolated to other, less consistently occurring abnormalities? To analyse this question, we specifically discuss chromosomal abnormalities involving the human T-cell receptor δ/α locus. We discuss the mechanism for the formation of these chromosomal aberrations, and their possible significance for the pathogenesis of T-cell tumours. Current evidence suggests that some of these aberrations are involved in tumour pathogenesis while others are not.