Association of Killer Cell Immunoglobulin-Like Receptor Genes with Hodgkin's Lymphoma in a Familial Study
2007

KIR Genes and Hodgkin's Lymphoma: A Family Study

Sample size: 345 publication 10 minutes Evidence: moderate

Author Information

Author(s): Besson Caroline, Roetynck Sophie, Williams Fionnuala, Orsi Laurent, Amiel Corinne, Lependeven Catherine, Antoni Guillemette, Hermine Olivier, Brice Pauline, Ferme Christophe, Carde Patrice, Canioni Danielle, Brière Josette, Raphael Martine, Nicolas Jean-Claude, Clavel Jacqueline, Middleton Derek, Vivier Eric, Abel Laurent

Primary Institution: Laboratoire de Génétique Humaine des Maladies Infectieuses, INSERM, U550, Paris, France

Hypothesis

What is the role of Killer Cell Immunoglobulin-Like Receptor (KIR) genes in Hodgkin's lymphoma?

Conclusion

The study provides evidence that certain activating KIR genes may have a protective role against Hodgkin's lymphoma.

Supporting Evidence

  • Five KIR genes were found significantly associated with Hodgkin's lymphoma.
  • The odds ratios for developing Hodgkin's lymphoma were 0.44 for KIR3DS1 and 0.42 for KIR2DS1.
  • The protective effect of KIR3DS1/KIR2DS1 was stronger in patients with detectable EBV.
  • 84 out of 90 families were informative for the analysis.
  • The study used full genotypic information rather than just presence/absence of genes.

Takeaway

This study looked at families to see if certain genes help protect against a type of cancer called Hodgkin's lymphoma, and found that some genes might help keep people safe.

Methodology

The study included 90 families with 90 Hodgkin's lymphoma index cases and 255 first-degree relatives, using family-based association methods to analyze KIR gene associations.

Potential Biases

The study design minimizes bias by using family-based methods, but replication in independent samples is necessary.

Limitations

The association was not replicated in a separate case/control study, indicating potential limitations in generalizability.

Participant Demographics

The index cases were aged 16-35 years, with a mean age of 26.2 years, comprising 57% men and 43% women.

Statistical Information

P-Value

p<0.006 for KIR3DS1

Confidence Interval

[0.23–0.85]

Statistical Significance

p<0.05

Digital Object Identifier (DOI)

10.1371/journal.pone.0000406

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