BCL-2 gene rearrangements in lymphoid malignancies

Chromosomal translocations consistently associated with lymphoid malignancies result in gene rearrangements and activation of cellular oncogenes. The bcl-2 gene rearrangement is one of the most thoroughly studied and clinically useful in the diagnosis and monitoring of patients with lymphoma. The molecular analysis of this gene rearrangement has led to the discovery of the first member of a new class of oncogenes, the regulators of programmed cell death.