A 7-year-old boy presents with a rapidly growing jaw mass. Biopsy reveals a high-grade B-cell lymphoma with a 'starry sky' appearance. Karyotyping shows t(8;14), placing the MYC proto-oncogene adjacent to the immunoglobulin heavy chain enhancer. The primary oncogenic consequence of this translocation is:
- A Overexpression of the MYC transcription factor ✓
- B Constitutive activation of a tyrosine kinase receptor
- C Inactivation of the p53 tumor suppressor
- D Production of an oncometabolite
Correct answer: A. Overexpression of the MYC transcription factor
Explanation
The t(8;14) translocation in Burkitt lymphoma places MYC under control of the Ig heavy chain enhancer, causing massive overexpression of the MYC transcription factor that drives uncontrolled proliferation. Option B describes receptor tyrosine kinase mechanisms such as HER2. Option C is the mechanism of TP53 loss, not MYC translocation. Option D describes IDH1/2 mutations.
Reference: Robbins and Cotran Pathologic Basis of Disease, 10th ed.
High-yield for: NEET PGINI-CETNExTFMGEUSMLEPLABMRCP
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