Epidemiological evidence: IgE, allergies, and hematopoietic malignancies

Abstract

This chapter presents an overview of recent epidemiologic studies that address the association between atopic diseases and IgE and the risk of hematopoietic cancers, including a discussion of potential biological mechanisms. The strongest and most consistent (inverse) associations have been observed between allergic conditions and childhood leukemia, especially acute lymphoblastic leukemia. The cumulative evidence for an inverse association between atopy and non-Hodgkin lymphoma is suggestive, but the inconsistency of the associations with specific types of atopic conditions, the lack of any associations observed in most cohort studies, and the correlation between timing of diagnosis and decreasing IgE levels warrant further clarification. No consistent evidence has been found supporting an association between atopy and either plasma cell neoplasms or Hodgkin lymphoma. There are several potential mechanisms by which allergic conditions could contribute to the risk of hematopoietic cancers. These include features of allergic responses (IgE, mast cell products) that may mediate enhanced antitumor immune responses, as well as allergy-associated changes in immune responses that inhibit immune cell activation, resulting in less exposure to DNA mutating and potentially oncogenic activities. © Springer Science+Business Media, LLC 2010. All rights reserved.