| The disease course of mature B cell lymphoma such as plasma cell and lymphoplasmatic neoplasms are generally indolent, mimicking the low-grade (LG) non-hodgkin's lymphomas. Such LGL and indolent tumors include the chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL), Hairy-cell leukemia (HCL), Waldenstrom's macroglobulinemia (WM), and Multiple myeloma (MM). Based on disease progression, response to chemotherapy, and relapse events, LGL and indolent tumors are presently considered unfavorable and incurable with current treatment protocols. The major concern in the treatment of patients with indolent lymphoid malignancies is the problem of relapse (resistant residual cells). Combinations of chemotherapeutic agents have not been successful in irradiating refractory cells. Understanding the mechanism of anti-tumor activity of chemo-therapeutic agents in indolent B-lymphomas, and the responses of these tumors, may explain how residual cells resist the effect of certain chemotherapy drugs. We may then be able to understand the transition indolent cells go through in order to survive, and then target our treatment directly and more effectively. |
