Activated oncogenes in Burkitt’s lymphoma

摘要: Burkitt’s lymphoma (BL) was recognized more than 25 years ago as a distinct pathoclinical entitity with peculiar epidemiological characteristics. The tumor, which occurs with a high incidence in certain areas of central Africa, has been suspected of having a viral etiology. This hypothesis was strengthened by the first isolation of the Epstein Barr virus (EBV) from a BL cell culture. More recently, we have learned that the association between the tumor and the EB virus is not as consistent as was initially hoped. The lack of viral association is especially true when tumors which arise in low-incidence areas such as Europe or the United States are considered. However, during the past few years it has become apparent that specific chromosomal rearrangements represent a crucial step in the development of the BL malignant process (Klein 1981, Leder 1983). The chromosomal rearrangement involves translocation …