Which gene fusion is associated with Burkitt lymphoma?

Burkitt lymphoma is associated with the MYC-IGH gene fusion. This particular fusion results from a chromosomal translocation involving the MYC oncogene on chromosome 8 and the immunoglobulin heavy-chain locus on chromosome 14. The MYC gene plays a critical role in regulating cell proliferation, growth, and apoptosis, and its expression is abnormally increased due to this translocation.

In Burkitt lymphoma, this gene fusion leads to the overexpression of the MYC protein, which drives rapid cell division and contributes to the aggressive nature of this malignancy. Unlike other lymphoma types, Burkitt lymphoma is characterized by its highly proliferative and fast-growing tumors, frequently presenting in children and young adults. The identification of this specific gene fusion in patient samples is crucial for both diagnosis and the understanding of the biology of the disease, which aids in the selection of appropriate therapeutic strategies.

Other gene fusions like BCR-ABL1 are associated with chronic myeloid leukemia, PML-RARA is linked to acute promyelocytic leukemia, and BCL2-IGH is seen in follicular lymphoma. Hence, understanding these associations is key to distinguishing between various hematological malignancies.