SIGNIFICANCE OF THE T(1418) TRANSLOCATION AND BCL-2 GENE DEREGULATION IN NON-HODGKINS-LYMPHOMA

The bcl-2 proto-oncogene was discovered by cloning the t(14;18)(q32;q21) translocation breakpoint seen in most follicular lymphomas. However, bcl-2 may be highly expressed in the absence of the t(14;18) so that assessment of its prognostic significance must be based on gene expression as well as cytogenetics. The bcl-2 oncogene is unique in its ability to extend cellular viability by overriding programmed cell death without augmenting cellular proliferation. Therapeutic interventions are now being implemented to induce programmed cell death in lymphoid malignancies.