Which molecular event underlies the pathogenesis of follicular lymphoma?

• A Cyclin D1 overexpression driven by translocation to the kappa locus
• B Constitutive activation of MYC by promoter swapping with IGH
• C Overexpression of BCL2 due to juxtaposition with the IGH enhancer ✓
• D Loss of TP53 through deletion at 17p

Explanation

The hallmark of follicular lymphoma is t(14;18)(q32;q21), which places the antiapoptotic gene BCL2 next to the immunoglobulin heavy chain enhancer on chromosome 14, producing constitutive BCL2 protein expression and failure of germinal center B cells to undergo apoptosis. MYC dysregulation defines Burkitt lymphoma and cyclin D1 overexpression defines mantle cell lymphoma via t(11;14). TP53 loss occurs in transformation but is not the initiating event.

Reference: Robbins and Cotran Pathologic Basis of Disease, 10th ed.

High-yield for: NEET PGINI-CETNExTFMGEUSMLEPLABMRCP

Written and medically reviewed by the StethoPrep medical team.