Telomerase activity and clinical progression in chronic lymphoproliferative disorders of B-cell lineage

The activation of telomerase, which specifically occurs in neoplastic cells to avoid telomere attrition at each cell division. is a necessary event in tumorigenesis. The evidence that telomerase is also present in normal B ce lls at different levels according to their differentiation and activation s tate makes the study of telomerase activity in B cell tumors particularly i nteresting. This review summarizes data concerning telomerase activity in c hronic lymphoproliferative disorders of B-cell lineage (B-CLD), making sugg estions regarding B-cell development and B-cell tumor histogenesis. The rol e of telomerase activity as a potential prognostic marker, as well as a tar get of new antineoplastic strategies is discussed.