Pathobiology of Anaplastic Large Cell Lymphoma

The authors revise the concept of anaplastic large cell lymphoma (ALCL) in the light of the recently updated WHO classification of Tumors of Hematopoietic and Lymphoid Tissues both on biological and clinical grounds. The main histological findings are illustrated with special reference to the cytolo...

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Bibliographic Details
Main Authors: Pier Paolo Piccaluga, Anna Gazzola, Claudia Mannu, Claudio Agostinelli, Francesco Bacci, Elena Sabattini, Carlo Sagramoso, Roberto Piva, Fernando Roncolato, Giorgio Inghirami, Stefano A. Pileri
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: Hindawi Limited 2010-01-01
Series:Advances in Hematology
Online Access:http://dx.doi.org/10.1155/2010/345053
Description
Summary:The authors revise the concept of anaplastic large cell lymphoma (ALCL) in the light of the recently updated WHO classification of Tumors of Hematopoietic and Lymphoid Tissues both on biological and clinical grounds. The main histological findings are illustrated with special reference to the cytological spectrum that is indeed characteristic of the tumor. The phenotype is reported in detail: the expression of the ALK protein as well as the chromosomal abnormalities is discussed with their potential pathogenetic implications. The clinical features of ALCL are presented by underlining the difference in terms of response to therapy and survival between the ALK-positive and ALK-negative forms. Finally, the biological rationale for potential innovative targeted therapies is presented.
ISSN:1687-9104
1687-9112