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Updated: May 30, 2026
Tumor Engraftment in a Xenograft Mouse Model of Human Mantle Cell Lymphoma
Published on: March 30, 2018
Mantle cell lymphoma: recent insights into pathogenesis, clinical variability, and new diagnostic markers
1Division of Pathology, Department of Laboratory Medicine, Karolinska Institutet, Stockholm, Sweden. birgitta.sander@ki.se
Insights
Mantle cell lymphoma (MCL) is a B-cell lymphoma subtype characterized by the t(11;14) translocation and cyclin D1 expression. This review covers MCL pathogenesis, diagnosis, and variants like indolent and cyclin D1-negative MCL.
Area of Science:
- Hematology
- Oncology
- Molecular Biology
Background:
- Mantle cell lymphoma (MCL) is a distinct B-cell lymphoma subtype, comprising 3%-10% of lymphoma diagnoses.
- Its name derives from the growth pattern mimicking the mantle zone surrounding B-cell follicles.
- The characteristic genetic hallmark is the t(11;14) translocation, leading to aberrant CCND1 gene expression and cyclin D1 production.
Purpose of the Study:
- To review current insights into the pathogenesis of MCL based on expression and genomic profiling.
- To discuss diagnostic challenges and differential diagnosis pitfalls with other B-cell malignancies.
- To highlight the utility of novel diagnostic markers such as SOX11 and CD200.
Main Methods:
- Review of existing literature on MCL pathogenesis, diagnosis, and clinical features.
- Analysis of gene expression and genomic profiling data.
- Discussion of differential diagnostic criteria and marker utility.
Main Results:
- Expression and genomic profiling offer new insights into MCL pathogenesis.
- Differential diagnosis from B-cell chronic lymphocytic leukemia, B-cell prolymphocytic leukemia, cyclin D1-positive diffuse large B-cell lymphoma, hairy cell leukemia, and plasma cell tumors presents challenges.
- SOX11 and CD200 are valuable new diagnostic markers.
Conclusions:
- Understanding MCL pathogenesis is evolving through molecular profiling.
- Accurate differential diagnosis is crucial and aided by new markers.
- Variants such as in situ MCL, indolent MCL, and cyclin D1-negative MCL require specific consideration.
Abstract:
Mantle cell lymphoma (MCL; previously called centrocytic lymphoma or lymphocytic lymphoma of intermediate differentiation) is a distinct subtype of B-cell lymphoma, accounting for approximately 3%-10% of all lymphoma diagnoses. The name refers to the growth pattern in early disease presentation resembling the normal mantle zone that surrounds the germinal center of the B-cell follicle. The hallmark of MCL is the t(11;14)(q13;q32), resulting in aberrant expression of the CCND1 gene and expression of cyclin D1 in the tumor cells. Expression and genomic profiling of MCL have provided new insight into the pathogenesis and will be summarized in this review. Pitfalls in the differential diagnosis versus B-cell chronic lymphocytic leukemia, B-cell prolymphocytic leukemia, cyclin D1-positive diffuse large B-cell lymphoma, hairy cell leukemia, and plasma cell tumors will be discussed, including the usefulness new diagnostic markers SOX11 and CD200. In situ MCL, MCL with an indolent clinical course, and cyclin D1-negative MCL are other topics of this review.
