Since the heterosynkaryons of human Hodgkin lymphoma and normal hamster host cells, which showed the continuous propagation of lymphoid tumors with a few human genes, retained the B-cell-restricted genes (CD19, CD20, and CD79b) within the predominant neoplastic population, these clonotypic B cells may be the initiating- or stem-cells of Hodgkin lymphoma. The gene discussed is CD19; the disease is lymphoid neoplasm.