Role of FOXO1 mutations in the pathogenesis of B cell non-Hodgkin lymphomas

Project Narrative B cell lymphomas arise upon acquisition of mutations in genes with critical functions during normal B cell development. This research proposal aims at elucidating how mutations targeting FOXO1, a factor with essential roles in the control of germinal center B cell differentiation, contribute to the pathogenesis of some aggressive variants of germinal center-derived B cell non-Hodgkin lymphomas. The results of this study are expected to improve our understanding of the molecular and cellular mechanisms driving the pathogenesis of these malignancies, and point to potentially relevant therapeutic strategies.