This study identified a new pathway involved in the pathogenesis of Burkitt's lymphoma that is amenable to therapeutic targeting. Using RNA sequencing of patient biopsy samples and Burkitt's lymphoma cell lines, together with re-analysis of published sequence data, the authors identified recurrent mutations in the transcription factor TCF3 and its negative regulator ID3. TCF3 activated the pro-survival phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase pathway in Burkitt's lymphoma cells, in part by augmenting tonic B cell receptor signalling. Inhibitors of the TCF3 pathway inhibited growth of Burkitt's lymphoma cells and tumour xenografts.
ORIGINAL RESEARCH PAPER
Schmitz, R. et al. Burkitt lymphoma pathogenesis and therapeutic targets from structural and functional genomics. Nature 12 Aug 2012 (doi:10.1038/nature11378)
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Harrison, C. A new target in Burkitt's lymphoma. Nat Rev Drug Discov 11, 750 (2012). https://doi.org/10.1038/nrd3860
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1038/nrd3860