Clonal evolution of a follicular lymphoma: evidence for antigen selection

摘要: Abstract The potential role antigens play in growth stimulation or clonal selection of follicular lymphomas is unknown. To study this issue, we sequenced the immunoglobulin heavy chain variable region genes expressed by a lymphoma from multiple biopsy specimens and also cloned corresponding germ-line gene patient. Comparison to revealed numerous nucleotide substitutions all sequences. Some may have occurred nonmalignant precursor B cell that gave rise because they were shared among genes, but many mutations accumulated as malignant clone expanded. The distributed such way strongly suggested majority tumor cells had been positively selected through their antigen receptor. This was especially evident for developed late evolution lymphoma. These findings indicate be involved tumors.