Short telomeres in aggressive non-Hodgkin's lymphoma as a risk factor in lymphomagenesis

摘要: Objective Telomeres cap chromosomal ends and help to maintain integrity. Telomere shortening may result in instability and, ultimately, malignant transformation of cells. It has not been systematically studied whether patients with malignancy have shortened telomeres their normal, nontransformed cells, which might point a preexisting disposition for instability. Methods We designed an (age-) matched pair analysis that compared telomere length nonmalignant peripheral leukocytes from previously untreated who recently developed aggressive non-Hodgkin's lymphoma, healthy individuals. Results lengths B T lymphocytes as well granulocytes the patients' group were significantly shorter than those age-matched controls. able rule out increased proliferation, telomerase defects, or oxidative stress confounding factors telomeres. Conclusion Short constitute risk factor lymphomagenesis.