Gene rearrangements and translocations in lymphoproliferative diseases

Abstract

In this review, we summarize and discuss Ig and TcR gene rearrangements in lymphoproliferative disorders. We propose that the complexity of rearrangement patterns is not necessarily arbitrary, but may reflect a clonal cell population arising from an undifferentiated hematopoietic cell that is capable of Ig and/or TcR gene rearrangements prior to the acquisition of T- or B-cell lineage characteristics. This is suggested by the observation that, in some instances, morphologically distinct lymphoma entities have a characteristic pattern of Ig and TcR gene rearrangements, indicating that they correctly identify the lineage of these lymphoproliferative disorders. Also, we will briefly discuss the chromosomal translocations found in some lymphoid neoplasms involving the Ig or TcR genes.