Regression of gastric mucosa-associated lymphoid tissue lymphoma with reduced telomerase activity after eradication of Helicobacter pylori

Recently, telomerase activity has been demonstrated in a large number of ma lignant tumors whereas its activity is not detected in most normal somatic cells suggesting its role in the immortalization process. Here we report th e first investigation of telomerase activity in a case of gastric mucosa-as sociated lymphoid tissue (MALT) lymphoma. Elevated telomerase activity was detected in biopsy specimens of the lymphoma. After eradication of Helicoba cter pylori, the level of telomerase activity returned to normal with histo logical regression of the lymphoma. The telomerase activity was associated with the disease activity of the gastric MALT lymphoma after eradication th erapy in the present case.