WHITE PLAINS, N.Y. -- Lymphoma is a blood cancer that affects more than 60,000 Americans each year. Researchers at The University of California Los Angeles have identified genes that when inactivated help cause B-cell non-Hodgkin's lymphoma (NHL). These genetic defects may also be involved in promoting the formation of other cancers since they can inactivate normal tumor-suppressing gene activities in a range of cell types.

The team used genetically engineered mice to accurately mimic human B-cell cancers. They had previously published research in which they identified frequent genetic abnormalities in cancer cells from NHL patients -- namely defects in the TCL1 gene -- and showed that TCL1 abnormalities can cause NHL in mice when accompanied by additional genetic defects. Now, they have found some of these cancer collaborators.

The research is likely to help in the development of new targeted drugs for NHL patients.

The researchers are working to determine which gene defects also occur in human lymphomas, at which point they will be ready to help develop new targeted therapies for NHL patients.