Reprogramming of the tumour B-cell phenotype in Hodgkin lymphoma

Hodgkin and Reed-Sternberg (HRS) cells, the tumour cells in classical Hodgkin lymphoma, derive from mature B cells but have largely lost their B-cell phenotype. This extensive reprogramming is unique among B-cell lymphomas. A recent study by Dörken and colleagues provides an interesting insight into the mechanisms for this reprogramming by demonstrating that the key B-cell-determining transcription factor E2A is inhibited in HRS cells by the deregulated expression of its inhibitors activated B-cell factor (ABF)-1 and inhibitor of differentiation and DNA binding (Id)2.