Cytokines, Genetic Lesions and Signaling Pathways in Anaplastic Large Cell Lymphomas

Abstract

ALCL is a tumor of activated T cells and possibly innate lymphoid cells with several subtypes according to clinical presentation and genetic lesions. On one hand, the expression of transcription factors and cytokine receptors triggers signaling pathways. On the other hand, ALCL tumor cells also produce many proteins including chemokines, cytokines and growth factors that affect patient symptoms. Examples are accumulation of granulocytes stimulated by IL-8, IL-17, IL-9 and IL-13; epidermal hyperplasia and psoriasis-like skin lesions due to IL-22; and fever and weight loss in response to IL-6 and IFN-γ. In this review, we focus on the biology of the main ALCL subtypes as the identification of signaling pathways and ALCL-derived cytokines offers opportunities for targeted therapies.

Interleukin (IL)-9 Supports the Tumor-Promoting Environment of Chronic Lymphocytic Leukemia

“…Enhanced expression of IL-9 and IL-9Rα is detectable in biopsies and sera from patients with Hodgkin’s lymphoma, anaplastic large cell lymphoma [ 71 , 72 ], and nasal NK/T-cell lymphoma [ 73 , 74 ]. Wang and colleagues reported elevated serum levels of IL-9 in B cells from non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma and diffuse large B-cell lymphoma (DLBCL) patients [ 75 ], along with high levels of IL-9R expression in tumoral tissues that correlate with adverse prognostic markers of the disease [ 76 ].…”