Regression of gastric mucosa-associated lymphoid tissue lymphoma with reduced telomerase activity after eradication of Helicobacter pylori.

Recently, telomerase activity has been demonstrated in a large number of malignant tumors whereas its activity is not detected in most normal somatic cells suggesting its role in the immortalization process. Here we report the first investigation of telomerase activity in a case of gastric mucosa-associated lymphoid tissue (MALT) lymphoma. Elevated telomerase activity was detected in biopsy specimens of the lymphoma. After eradication of Helicobacter pylori, the level of telomerase activity returned to normal with histological regression of the lymphoma. The telomerase activity was associated with the disease activity of the gastric MALT lymphoma after eradication therapy in the present case.