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Hodgkin lymphoma involves high expression of activating transcription factor 3

06-12-2006

According to recently published research from Germany, classical Hodgkin lymphoma (cHL) is characterized by high constitutive expression of activating transcription factor 3 (ATF3), which promotes viability of Hodgkin/Reed-Sternberg (HRS) cells.

"HRS cells of cHL display unique characteristics that discriminate cHL from other B-cell lymphomas and normal B cells. Therefore, comparative gene expression profiling of Hodgkin and non-Hodgkin B cells could lead to the identification of candidate genes that are critical for the pathogenesis of cHL," wrote M. Janz and colleagues, Max Delbruck Center of Molecular Medicine.

"We performed microarray analysis of Hodgkin and non-Hodgkin cell lines and identified ATF3, a member of the cyclic AMP response element binding protein (CREB)/ATF family, as a differentially expressed candidate gene.

"Extensive analysis of a large panel of cell lines, primary tumor samples, and normal tissues revealed that high expression of ATF3 is found in nearly all cases of cHL and is almost exclusively restricted to it. Selective knock-down of ATF3 by RNA interference suppressed proliferation and strongly reduced viability of Hodgkin cells," the authors reported.

The researchers concluded, "Thus, overexpression of ATF3 is a molecular hallmark of cHL that contributes to the malignant growth of HRS cells."

Janz and colleagues published their study in Blood (Classical Hodgkin lymphoma is characterized by high constitutive expression of activating transcription factor 3 (ATF3), which promotes viability of Hodgkin/Reed-Sternberg cells. Blood, 2006;107(6):2536-2539).

For additional information, contact M. Janz, Max Delbruck Center of Molecular Medicine, Robert Rossle Str 10, D-13092 Berlin, Germany.

The publisher of the journal Blood can be contacted at: American Society of Hematology, 1900 M Street. NW Suite 200, Washington, DC 20036, USA.

Keywords: Berlin, Germany, Hodgkin Lymphoma, Constitutive Expression, Activating Transcription Factor, Cell Viability, Hodgkin/Reed-Sternberg Cells, Microarrays, ATF3.

This article was prepared by Clinical Oncology Week editors from staff and other reports. Copyright 2006, Clinical Oncology Week via NewsRx.com.