Anaplastic large cell lymphoma: Twenty-five years of discovery

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111 Scopus citations

Abstract

Context: The year 2010 commemorates the 25th year since the seminal publication by Karl Lennert and Harald Stein and others in Kiel, West Germany, describing an unusual large cell lymphoma now known as anaplastic large cell lymphoma (ALCL). Investigators at many universities and hospitals worldwide have contributed to our current in-depth understanding of this unique peripheral T-cell lymphoma, which in its systemic form, principally occurs in children and young adults. Objective-To summarize our current knowledge of the clinical and pathologic features of systemic and primary cutaneous ALCL. Particular emphasis is given to the biology and pathogenesis of ALCL. Data Sources-Search of the medical literature (Ovid MEDLINE In-Process & Other Non-Indexed Citations and Ovid MEDLINE: 1950 to Present [National Library of Medicine]) and more than 20 years of diagnostic experience were used as the source of data for review. Conclusions-Based on immunostaining for activation antigen CD30 and the presence of dysregulation of the anaplastic lymphoma kinase gene (2p23), the diagnosis of ALCL has become relatively straightforward for most patients. Major strides have been made during the last decade in our understanding of the complex pathogenesis of ALCL. Constitutive NPM-ALK signaling has been shown to drive oncogenesis via an intricate network of redundant and interacting pathways that regulate cell proliferation, cell fate, and cytoskeletal modeling. Nevertheless, pathomechanistic, therapeutic, and diagnostic challenges remain that should be resolved as we embark on the next generation of discovery.

Original languageEnglish (US)
Pages (from-to)19-43
Number of pages25
JournalArchives of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine
Volume135
Issue number1
DOIs
StatePublished - Jan 2011

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • Pathology and Forensic Medicine
  • Medical Laboratory Technology

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