Researchers from Weill Cornell Medicine led by Dr. Olivier Elemento, recently published results announcing the discovery of thousands of new genes from human samples of lymphoma. Known as IncRNAs these genes produce long non-coding RNAs and are involved in gene regulation. The IncRNAs appear to control whether other genes make proteins. The discovery of these genes could underline the processes of gene regulation that drives lymphomas, while in the future leading to possible targets for new diffuse large B-cell lymphoma therapies.
“These genes produce long non-coding RNAs, known as lncRNAs. Unlike RNA that produces proteins that enable the body to do its work, the lncRNA appear to switch on — or off — other genes that make proteins, researchers say. They counted 2,632 different forms of these unusual RNA molecules. They also found a substantial number of the same or similar lncRNAs in canine lymphoma.”
The study’s senior author, Dr. Olivier Elemento commented,
“While we don’t know precisely what these molecules are doing, the fact that the majority — about two-thirds — of the long non-coding RNAs we found are expressed exclusively in lymphoma, and that many are found in both human and dog lymphoma, tells us that they are likely playing fundamental roles in this cancer…”
Findings like these exemplify the bench to bedside approach in the Lymphoma Program at Weill Cornell Medicine. Look to this space for future updates on this topic and other advances in the treatment of lymphoma. A full listing of available clinical trials for DLBCL lymphoma can be found on our Joint Clinical Trials website.
New Developments in Lymphoma 