Programmed cell-death and its control in the development of adult T-cell leukemia - hypothesis

Despite the progress in virological and molecular studies on human T-cell leukaemia virus (HTLV-1), there still exist enigmas in biological and clinical features of adult T-cell leukaemia/lymphoma (ATL). They include the way of the development of ATL clones, the role of interleukin-2 (IL-2) receptors on the tumour cells and spontaneous fluctuation of the clinical activity frequently observed in chronic type of the disease. To elucidate these enigmas, based on our recent experimental data, we would like to present a model of the development of ATL clones from: the view point of programmed cell death (PCD) and its control.