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Apoptosis in B-chronic lymphocytic leukaemia

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Abstract

B-chronic lymphocytic leukaemia (B-CLL) is characterised by the progressive accumulation of monoclonal B cells, which may be the result of several factors leading to extended B-CLL cell lifespan, increased proliferative capacity and diminished cell death. Here we review the implications of several signals mediated by receptors, such as surface IgM, CD6 and CD40, for the B-CLL cell survival, together with data on gene modulation in relation to the apoptosis process in B-CLL cells. We also describe some features of the Fas/FasL system in B-CLL that hypothetically might contribute to the accumulation of leukaemic cells and the progressions of the disease, by downregulating the apoptotic response or avoiding the autologous immune response.

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  1. Hematology Department, Center for Molecular Medicine, Karolinska Hospital, S-171 76, Stockholm, Sweden

    Lyda M Osorio & Miguel Aguilar-Santelises

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  1. Lyda M Osorio
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  2. Miguel Aguilar-Santelises
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Correspondence to Lyda M Osorio.

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Osorio, L.M., Aguilar-Santelises, M. Apoptosis in B-chronic lymphocytic leukaemia. Med Oncol 15, 234–240 (1998). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF02787206

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