The activation of telomerase, which specifically occurs in neoplastic cells to 
avoid telomere attrition at each cell division, is a necessary event in 
tumorigenesis. The evidence that telomerase is also present in normal B cells at 
different levels according to their differentiation and activation state makes 
the study of telomerase activity in B cell tumors particularly interesting. This 
review summarizes data concerning telomerase activity in chronic 
lymphoproliferative disorders of B-cell lineage (B-CLD), making suggestions 
regarding B-cell development and B-cell tumor histogenesis. The role of 
telomerase activity as a potential prognostic marker, as well as a target of new 
antineoplastic strategies is discussed.