The NPM-ALK and the ATIC-ALK fusion genes can be detected in non-neoplastic cells..     ///    "The aims of the present study were to investigate the presence of NPM-ALK and ATIC-ALK fusion genes in ALCL, using a real-time 5' exonuclease-based reverse-transcription polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR). "    ///    "The aims of the present study were to investigate the presence of NPM-ALK and ATIC-ALK fusion genes in ALCL, using a real-time 5' exonuclease-based reverse-transcription polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR)."    ///    "Other rearrangements involving the ALK gene have recently been shown to be associated with ALCL, among which the ATIC-ALK rearrangement resulting from the inv(2)(p23q35) translocation is probably the most recurrent. "    ///    "Our findings demonstrate that NPM-ALK and ATIC-ALK fusion transcripts may be detected in conditions other than ALK-positive ALCL including reactive lymphoid tissues, although at low levels, suggesting the presence of the transcripts in normal (bystander) cells. "    ///    "Similarly, out of the three strongly positive ATIC-ALK cases, one case was positive for the NPM-ALK fusion, at low levels. "    ///    "Finally, the NPM-ALK and the ATIC-ALK fusions were detected, at equally low levels, respectively in 13 and 5 ALK-negative ALCL cases, in 11 and 5 Hodgkin's disease cases and in 20 and 1 non-neoplastic lymphoid tissues. "    ///    RT-PCR detected the NPM-ALK and ATIC-ALK fusions at high levels in 8 and 3 of a total of 13 ALK-positive ALCL cases.     ///    "In addition, of the eight ALK-positive ALCL cases that were strongly positive for the NPM-ALK fusion, three cases also showed the presence of the ATIC-ALK fusion, although at much lower levels. "