Study of The Oncoproteins BCL2 and C-MYC In Childhood Non Hodgkin's Lymphoma In Different Socio-Economic Strata

Abstract

The Non-Hodgkin's lymphomas are neoplasms composed of subpopulations of lymphoid cells in different stages of development. The bcl2 gene was identified as a gene translocated in human follicular lymphomas that function by inhibiting apoptosis. The proto-oncogene c-myc has been shown to play a pivotal role in growth control, differentiation and apoptosis and its abnormal expression has been associated with many neoplasms. The aim of the study is to evaluate the expression of oncoprotein bch and c-myc in children with Non-Hodgkin's lymphoma and their relation to clinical presentation, response to therapy and prognosis. The study was carried out at Ain Shams University, Oncology Unit, Children's hospital in 2000-2001 and was comprised of35 children with Non­ Hodgkin's lymphoma and were classified into four groups; group 1 was composed of 10 children at remission, group 2 was composed of 4 children at diagnosis with no bone marrow infiltration, group 3 was composed of 6 children at relapse with no bone marrow infiltration and group 4 was composed of 15 children at diagnosis and relapse with bone marrow infiltration. The patients were subject to laboratory tests laying stress on bcl2, c-myc ' genes expression in addition to clinical history, examination and radiological investigations.