Science signaling Podcast: 3 February 2015

This Podcast features an interview with Ben Major and Matthew Walker, authors of a Research Article that appears in the 3 February 2015 issue of Science Signaling, about a transcription factor that enhances Wnt signaling in lymphoma. The transcription factor FOXP1 influences stem and progenitor cell identity and cell proliferation. FOXP1 is overexpressed in a subset of diffuse large B cell lymphomas, and the increased abundance of FOXP1 correlates with resistance to standard therapy and poor patient prognosis. Walker et al. found that FOXP1 enhances Wnt signaling and that this may be why lymphomas overexpressing FOXP1 are particularly difficult to treat. Cultured lymphoma cells and xenografts overexpressing FOXP1 were sensitive to Wnt inhibitors, suggesting that blocking Wnt signaling may be an effective treatment for patients with FOXP1-overexpressing lymphomas.