Immune Response Genotypes and Risk of Young Adult Hodgkin Lymphoma

Abstract : Hodgkin lymphoma (HL) is the first and second most common cancer among young women and men 20-39 years old, respectively. Our previous results from a small twin study suggested that an inherited imbalance in the immune response to infection could increase susceptibility to young adult HL. Here we will further test the hypothesis that the susceptible immuno-phenotype for HL is determined by a genetic tendency toward an exaggerated Th2 and/or inflammatory response and/or a depressed Th1 response, resulting from genotypes that regulate these responses. After 10 months of harmonizing the IRB materials between USC and the DOD, we have begun data collection. In the last month, we identified the first 25 young adult HL patients from the L.A. cancer registry and of those, have obtained and processed blood samples for DNA from 12 patients plus their parents to serve as controls. We will begin genotyping when we collect the projected 368 cases plus their parents or siblings (controls). If we can identify the immune pathways responsible for this cancer, we may be able to design immunotherapy to prevent it, avoiding many lost years of productivity and loss of life that results from the treatment and its complications.