Do we know what causes Waldenstrom macroglobulinemia?
Scientists have made great progress in understanding how certain chan ges in DNA can cause normal lymphocytes to become lymphoma or multiple myeloma cells. They are
also beginning to understand how chan ges in the DNA of some lymphomas cause their
cells to produce high levels of IgM, which causes most of the symptoms of Waldenstrom
macroglobulinemia (WM).
DNA is the chemical that carries the instructions for nearly everything our cells do. We
resemble our parents because they are the sour ce of our DNA. But DNA affects more
than the way we look. Some genes (parts of our DNA) contain instructions for controlling
when cells grow and divide. Certain gen es that promote cell division are called
oncogenes . Others that slow down cell division or cause cells to die at the right time are
called tumor suppressor genes .
also beginning to understand how chan ges in the DNA of some lymphomas cause their
cells to produce high levels of IgM, which causes most of the symptoms of Waldenstrom
macroglobulinemia (WM).
DNA is the chemical that carries the instructions for nearly everything our cells do. We
resemble our parents because they are the sour ce of our DNA. But DNA affects more
than the way we look. Some genes (parts of our DNA) contain instructions for controlling
when cells grow and divide. Certain gen es that promote cell division are called
oncogenes . Others that slow down cell division or cause cells to die at the right time are
called tumor suppressor genes .
We know that cancers can be caused by DNA mutations (defects or changes) that turn on oncogenes o r turn off tumor suppressor genes. Some people with certain types of cancer have DNA changes they inherited from a parent, which increased their risk for the disease. Researchers are stud ying families that have many cases of WM to try to find the gene that may cause this disorder in some people. Many changes in DNA have been found in WM cells. These DNA changes are usually acquired after birth (not passed on from a parent). Acquired changes may result from exposure to something in the environment, such as radiation or cancer-causing chemicals.
Often these changes o ccur for no app arent r eason. Ever y time a cell prepares to divide
into 2 new cells, it must duplicate its DNA. This process is not perfect and sometimes
copying errors o ccur. Fortunately, cells have repair enzymes that "proofread" DNA. But
some errors may slip past, especially if the cells are growing rapidly.
Human DNA is packaged in 23 pairs of chromosomes. Sometimes, a piece of a
chromosome is missing - this is called a deletion . The most common defect seen in WM
is a deletion of part of chromosome 6. Another type of chromosome defect in WM is
called a translocation. In a translocation, a piece of one chromosome becomes attached to
a different chromosome. Chromosome changes like these can cause oncogenes to be
turned on or tumor suppressor genes turned off.
Often these changes o ccur for no app arent r eason. Ever y time a cell prepares to divide
into 2 new cells, it must duplicate its DNA. This process is not perfect and sometimes
copying errors o ccur. Fortunately, cells have repair enzymes that "proofread" DNA. But
some errors may slip past, especially if the cells are growing rapidly.
Human DNA is packaged in 23 pairs of chromosomes. Sometimes, a piece of a
chromosome is missing - this is called a deletion . The most common defect seen in WM
is a deletion of part of chromosome 6. Another type of chromosome defect in WM is
called a translocation. In a translocation, a piece of one chromosome becomes attached to
a different chromosome. Chromosome changes like these can cause oncogenes to be
turned on or tumor suppressor genes turned off.
Researchers have found that some patients with WM have important chan ges or defects
in other bone marrow cells. These changes may also cause excess growth of the cancer
cells. Certain cells in the bone marrow called d endritic cells release a hormone called
interleukin-6 (IL-6) that helps normal plasma cells and plasmacytoid lymp hocytes grow.
Excess IL-6 p roduction by these cells appears to be an important factor in the
development of WM.
in other bone marrow cells. These changes may also cause excess growth of the cancer
cells. Certain cells in the bone marrow called d endritic cells release a hormone called
interleukin-6 (IL-6) that helps normal plasma cells and plasmacytoid lymp hocytes grow.
Excess IL-6 p roduction by these cells appears to be an important factor in the
development of WM.
