Molecular insights into the immunopathogenesis of follicular lymphoma

Follicular lymphoma is caused by the transformation of a germinal-center-de rived B cell with a t(14;18) chromosomal translocation. The distribution of somatic mutations within immunoglobulin genes indicates that follicular-ly mphoma cells can interact with antigen. In addition, nonimmunoglobulin gene s such as BCL6 seem to undergo somatic hypermutation. Here, Kostas Stamatop oulos and colleagues relate the molecular data about immunoglobulin genes a nd the protooncogenes BCL2 and BCL6 to the pathogenesis and evolution of fo llicular lymphoma.