Overview of mechanisms in the pathogenesis of mantle cell lymphoma

Most cases of mantle cell lymphoma (MCL) are postulated to derive from naïve pre-germinal center B cells of the mantle zone. In the vast majority of cases, expression of the cyclin D1 gene, located at 11q13, drives cell cycle progression from G1 to S phase. A minority of cases do not demonstrate cyclin D1, but are thought to overexpress other cell cycle mediators, such as cyclin D2 and cyclin D3. In addition to cyclin D1 expression, MCL tumors demonstrate a decreased response to DNA damage and enhanced cell survival (impaired apoptosis).