Review

Nature Reviews Cancer 9, 15-27 (January 2009) | doi:10.1038/nrc2542

The biology of Hodgkin's lymphoma

Ralf Küppers1  About the author

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Hodgkin's lymphoma was first described in 1832. The aetiology of this lymphoma, however, remained enigmatic for a long time. Only within the past 10 years has the B-cell nature of the pathognomonic Hodgkin and Reed–Sternberg (HRS) cells been revealed, along with several recurrent genetic lesions. The pathogenetic role for Epstein–Barr virus infection has also been substantiated. HRS cells in classical Hodgkin's lymphoma have several characteristics that are unusual for lymphoid tumour cells, and the Hodgkin's lymphoma microenvironment is dominated by an extensive mixed, potentially inflammatory cellular infiltrate. Understanding the contribution of all of these changes to the pathogenesis of this disease is essential for the development of novel therapies.

Author affiliations

  1. Institute of Cell Biology (Tumour Research), University of Duisburg-Essen, Medical School, Virchowstrasse 173, 45122 Essen, Germany.
    Email: ralf.kueppers@uk-essen.de

Published online 11 December 2008

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